Claimed By A Charmer (The Pith Trilogy)

by Griffin, Kara

  “Anything?”

  Isabel nodded.

  Candace walked to the door. “I’m going to talk to Douglas again about going to find Wills. Mayhap I can get him to leave sooner.”

  Isabel nodded to her, and she thought she should go after her, since she’d been acting strangely. Douglas would reassure her about Wills’ safety.

  Instead of chasing after her, Isabel sat next to Shelagh. “What did you have in mind?”

  “When I wanted to show Thomas how much I cared for him, I had Athol scribe our clan’s symbol on my back.”

  “You did? What is it?”

  “A boar. I’ve never seen it, but Thomas would laugh every time he did. He always said he knew I loved him to have done such a thing. I asked him to bring me a looking glass, but he wouldn’t. He said it would upset me.” She laughed. “When I finally did see it, I almost cried.”

  Isabel couldn’t help but laugh, too. “May I see it?”

  Shelagh lowered the back of her gown enough to reveal the figure. Isabel moved forward. It was indeed a boar and ugly as sin. She chuckled. “How is this done? Is Athol still performing the art?”

  “I’m afraid Athol died years ago. His son, Lowrie, is capable of doing an etching. Do you want me to arrange it?”

  “Does it hurt?”

  “Not really. At least I didn’t think so.”

  “I’ll do it.”

  Shelagh clapped her hands and ran to her door, calling for Helena. “Fetch Lowrie, and tell him it’s urgent.”

  Helena waved to Isabel before she left the chamber. As she and Shelagh waited for Lowrie, they cleaned up the hair clippings on the floor and straightened the chamber. A knock came a while later, and they both ran to answer it.

  Lowrie arrived. “Milady, Helena said ye wanted to see me?”

  “Come inside.” Shelagh waited for him to enter then closed the door.

  Isabel saw him eying the door. From his expression, she could tell he felt trapped. He pushed his dark-brown hair nervously out of his eyes, and looked at them pleadingly.

  “I don’t need my hairs clipped, Milady. The men went to the training field, when they heard you were at your clipping.”

  Shelagh laughed. “Fear not, I have put the shears away. I must have your word to keep this secret. What I shall ask cannot be spoken of outside of this chamber.”

  “Aye, Milady, I won’t tell a soul. What do you want, another etching?” He laughed at the jest, and waited for her to respond, but both of them stared at him. “Milady, ye jest?”

  “Never so, Lowrie. Lady Isabel would like to have a boar etched on her back, like mine.”

  “Milady, I can’t do that. She’s the laird’s wife. He’ll banish me, mayhap even kill me.”

  Shelagh laughed. “We’ll not let him do that, Lowrie. Now get your instruments.”

  “Lowrie, I really need you to do this. It’s uh … a tradition. I’m continuing a family tradition. You want to be part of it, don’t ye?” Lowering his head, he didn’t respond. “Then I’ll have to command you as your laird’s wife to do it.” Isabel kept her voice serious. He nodded and left to get his tools.

  Lowrie returned within minutes and set up his instruments. “Milady, this may hurt. I really don’t want to hurt ye. My laird is going to kill me when he gets wind of this.”

  “I’m not weak-hearted. Get on with it, will you?” Isabel tried not to be afraid.

  She lay on a bench, and Shelagh adjusted her gown enough so he could have access to the place where she wanted it inscribed. He took out his woed leaves, ground them until they turned into a pasty liquid, and added a few drops of water. He dipped a sharpened quill in the small pot of inky substance, and began poking her with it.

  “This isn’t so bad, Lowrie. It doesn’t hurt at all.”

  Lowrie nodded, keeping at his task. Shelagh leaned to see what he was doing.

  “It will look much better than mine, Isabel. Lowrie has more talent than his father. But you know, now that I think on it, I believe Athol did it on purpose, and made the boar look hideous so Thomas would laugh at it.”

  “I want it to look better than Shelagh’s, Lowrie. Don’t be thinking to pull a prank like your father.”

  “Aye, Milady. ‘Twill be my best work.” Lowrie kept moving the quill at an amazing speed. “You’ll have to keep it covered for a week or so, until it heals, Milady.”

  Isabel lay still while he plied the sharp quill to her back. Every time she glanced at Shelagh, she saw her smiling, so she wasn’t concerned. She wondered how Douglas would react, and hoped he would know the extent of her love, but she wouldn’t show him until the timing was right.

  If anything Douglas would laugh, and mayhap he would tell her how much he loved her. Isabel wouldn’t give up hope that she’d touched his heart, even in some small way.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Douglas rose in the predawn hour to go on his, hopefully, short trek. He didn’t want to be away from Isabel for long. What with the strange happenings and the fact that the traitor was inside his keep, he felt unsure about leaving. The warm body in the bed beckoned him. As he dressed, he watched her. He pulled on his boots and sheathed his sword, then walked to her side. His hand smoothed her hair, and he leaned to kiss her cheek. He noticed the bandage on her back and had meant to ask about it.

  Isabel awoke when his lips touched hers. “You’re leaving?” She started to sit up, but he pressed her back.

  “Aye, it shouldn’t take long to track down Wills.”

  “Hurry back.”

  Douglas kissed her again. Her mouth was so warm and inviting. He didn’t want to pull away, but forced himself to. If he continued kissing her, he’d never leave. He would be in the bed loving his wife as he craved to, but he drew himself away and strode to the door.

  He met his men at the gate and rode for MacIver land. They reached the forest near the McFie border when Douglas heard riders nearby. He held his arm up, halting his band of men, spotting the colors of the McFie tartan. Ellic joined him as he rode toward MacIver land, twenty men accompanied him.

  “Douglas, I was headed to your keep. Where are you going?”

  “I am going to find Wills. What’s amiss?”

  “I saw Brendan on his way to the border. He told me what happened to you. I was coming to see if there was anything I could do to help.”

  “I’m well enough now. Aye, I was struck by an arrow in your wood. One of my men, Phillip, attacked my wife. He’ll lead me to my foe, I’ve no doubt.”

  “Your wife? Ye got married, Douglas?”

  “Aye, and if it wasn’t for all this cosh, I’d be a very happy man.”

  “Who would want to do ye in?”

  Douglas’ eyebrows furrowed. “Whoever it is, he’s causing much dissension.”

  “I’ll ride along with you.”

  The day passed and they kept riding through the night. When they reached the keep of the MacIvers, Douglas sensed doom. “Laird Kerr, here to see Wills,” he announced at the gate.

  “Aye, Laird Kerr, you may enter.” Douglas rode through the gate, and his men followed him into the lower courtyard. None of the clans people milled around as was typical this time of day. He, Gil, and Ellic entered the keep, and found Lady MacIver at a table. The lady didn’t look well and seemed to have been crying.

  She greeted them with a curtsey. “Laird Kerr, Laird McFie, welcome.”

  “I’ve come to see Wills. Candace is worried for him.” Douglas saw the gloomy look on her face and he wondered why she was upset. “Is this a bad time? You seem distraught.”

  “Wills went missing, no one has found him yet. I’m worried for him as well.”

  “Missing? What happened, Milady?” Ellic asked.

  “My husband’s body was found yesterday. He’s dead.”

  “My condolences, Lady MacIver.” Douglas leaned back against the chair. Laird MacIver was dead? Where the hell was Wills? It didn’t bode well for their clan. He gave a concerned look to Ellic, who se
emed as disturbed by the news as he was.

  Crisofer, the MacIver commander-in-arms, marched inside the keep, but stopped when he saw them. He approached the table. “I’m glad you’re here.” He turned toward Lady Elaine. “Milady, I’ll see to them. I’ll let you know when we find Wills. Go and rest. I’ll send your ladies to attend ye.”

  She left the hall, and Douglas could hear her crying.

  “What happened? How did Laird MacIver die? Did someone kill him? Where’s Wills?”

  “Cosh, Douglas, one question at a time,” Ellic said.

  “I didn’t want Lady Elaine to overhear. We can’t find Wills. He and his father have been missing a sennight. The men camped after hunting most of the day. When they awoke, Laird MacIver and Wills were gone. They thought they went to do some early hunting, but when they didn’t return by nightfall, they returned here. I sent a search for them, and the men came across my laird’s body yesterday.”

  “How was he killed?” Ellic asked.

  “Appears he was stuck in the chest by a dagger.”

  “A dagger? Not a sword?” Douglas asked.

  Cris shook his head. “Nay, ‘twas a dagger.”

  “Where did you find him?” Douglas leaned forward, growing more agitated at the news.

  “Our sentry found him by old Clem’s place.”

  “Do you deem Clem killed him?”

  “I doubt it, Clem died years ago. I’m disheartened because it appears Wills killed his da.”

  “It does appear so. Why would he kill him? They had good relations, didn’t they?”

  “Laird MacIver was fond of Wills. ‘Tis a mystery. I’m going on another search. I was about to leave when I saw your men in the bailey.”

  “We’ll assist in the search. My sister was upset about his delay in returning, that’s why I’ve come. Now it seems I should have listened. This is another strange occurrence, tacked onto the many others.”

  “What others?”

  “I’ll fill you in on the ride.” Douglas walked to the door. He was grim over the death of Laird MacIver, who was a fair man and a good warrior. With Wills unable to defend himself, his guilt was apparent. Why would he kill his da? It didn’t make sense.

  Crisofer walked beside him. “When my laird’s body was returned, I looked him over. It looked like he died from loss of blood, och I found a strange substance on his tunic.”

  “What do you deem it is?”

  “Neither my laird, nor Wills would use a substance. They abhor the use of medicinal spirits and herbs. Aye, they’re superstitious.”

  “Then it must have come from the killer,” Douglas implied.

  “Who knows? Bring me current on the happenings.”

  They rode through the portcullis and continued the search. Douglas and Ellic’s men trailed behind. Short of the horse’s footsteps, no sound could be heard. The men kept to their own vigilance and didn’t speak.

  Douglas rode beside Crisofer and slowed his mount. “All these happening seem connected. First, my niece went missing in Londontown.”

  “Colin’s Bonnie?”

  “Aye, then Ellic’s oxen were slaughtered. On my return from his woods, I was struck with an arrow. My wife was attacked in my own courtyard. Phillip Barrie was the culprit. I’m having him watched. And now my sister’s intended is missing, his father killed. Faigh muin.” Douglas became disgusted.

  “Let us begin with Bonnie’s disappearance. Has there been a request for ransom?”

  “Nothing as far as I know. Colin stayed in England to search for her.” Douglas trusted Crisofer. He motioned for Gil to join them, because he knew his skill for solving riddles, and investigating the unsolved was his forte. Clans allied to the Kerrs often requested his aid in figuring out mysterious events. Gil, Cris, Ellic, and Douglas rode side by side.

  “Let us move onto the oxen. How were they killed?”

  Ellic turned. “It didn’t appear they were dead at all. Seemed to be sleeping, they were. We approached cautiously. I knew they were dead when I smelled them. I haven’t figured it out. They were salted down, and placed in the shed for food.”

  “Ellic, return home and put the meat aside. Don’t let your clan eat it. It might be poisoned. I’ll come and ensure ‘tis safe, after we find Wills,” Gil told him.

  “I didn’t think of that.” Ellic turned his horse, motioning to his men. They rode off through the trees in the direction of McFie land.

  “Have you noticed anything different about Wills lately, Douglas? He spent more time at your keep than ours of late,” Cris asked.

  “Come to think of it, Cris, he left and returned so many times in the last few months.”

  “Where’d he go?”

  “He said he had clan matters to see to. I thought it odd because he hadn’t traveled afar, he returned too quickly. I meant to ask him about it, only he didn’t return this time.”

  “Wills didn’t come home, until this last visit. His father was happy that his wedding approached. Once he wed, he’d be home more oft.”

  “Then where did he go?” Gil put in.

  “Not home, that is certain.” Douglas frowned. “I wonder if Wills is my spy, too? Phillip tried to hurt Isabel, but I believe he has a cohort, mayhap Wills. Someone has a grudge. I must find Wills. As of now, he’s the only suspect in the killing of Laird MacIver. I hope Wills is innocent. Candace cannot marry him until we prove it.”

  “Nay, she can’t marry him now.” Gil sneered.

  “Come, let us find the man,” Cris said.

  They galloped away to do just that, each pondering the mystery. The forest was quiet, too quiet. There was no sign of Wills near old Clem’s cottage. Douglas asked Gil to search for clues. They rode to where they found Laird MacIver’s body. As Gil looked at the ground, he crouched down and began crawling. His silence attested that he concentrated on every blade of grass. Douglas grew impatient.

  “Did you find anything?”

  “Appears there were three people here. Besides Laird MacIver, there were two others. We can assume one was Wills, but who was the other?”

  “Good question, Gil. Is there a trail?” Cris asked.

  “Nay, looks like the trail ends here.” Gil walked to where the grass was shorter. “The grass is longer there, where Laird MacIver was killed. See the blood drops? The grass must have been wet, when they stood on it. ‘Tis flattened now. That’s how I was able to see the foot treads, but this grass here,” Gil remarked, “is too short to have treads noted and was dry.”

  “So the trail is cold,” Douglas muttered.

  “Aye, Laird, but you can see the different foot treads, two large and one small. Mayhap ‘twas a lad who was with Wills.”

  Douglas considered that. “Let us ride to Ellic’s so you can assess the meat. Then we’ll have a look at Laird MacIver’s body.”

  The men regained their mounts, and rode off toward Ellic’s land and arrived the next morning. But Ellic had all ready destroyed the meat and Gil wasn’t able to decipher if the animals had been poisoned.

  Douglas and Crisofer hadn’t found Wills, nor a single clue of his whereabouts. Gil suggested they look at the substance found on Laird MacIver’s body. They rode for the MacIver holding and arrived in the late afternoon the following day. Fortunately, because Crisofer had left with Douglas, the MacIver laird hadn’t been laid to rest yet. He was kept in a cold shack awaiting Crisofer’s return.

  Douglas, Gil, and Cris, opened the door to the shack and went inside. It wasn’t large; they pressed together, filling the space. Douglas directed them to lift the body and to bring it into the sunlight so Gil could get a better look. They laid the body on the ground, and Gil proceeded to look him over.

  He wiped a substance with his finger then rubbed it on his tongue. “Ahhh.”

  “What?” Douglas leaned in. “What have you found?”

  “Henbane.” Gil rubbed the substance between his fingers. “The substance is henbane. I recognize the scent and taste. It’s used for pain and sometim
es warriors put it on the tips of their arrows to poison whoever they strike. Witches use it to cast mind altering spells.” Gil looked up from his crouched position.

  “That’s interesting. What does this henbane do to a man?”

  “I’ve known men to go mad when they’ve been given it. Some become dependent on it. I heard a man took a flying leap from a tower thinking he could fly. The man died when he hit the ground, some forty feet below.”

  “Do you deem someone might have used it on Wills?” Cris asked.

  “Mayhap Wills is in trouble, if his mind has been altered, he knows not what he does.”

  “I’ll continue to search for him, Douglas. You and Gil return home. If anything comes about, I’ll let you know,” Cris said.

  Douglas nodded. There was nothing more they could do until they found Wills.

  “I’ll ask around, and find out who uses such a substance. Mayhap that will lead to whoever is causing this strife,” Gil remarked.

  They couldn’t stay for the burial, but told Cris to give their regards to Lady MacIver. As they rode for home, Douglas became sullen about the happenings. He hoped whomever it was causing this strife would show themselves.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Isabel walked along the parapet gazing in the distance, hoping to see Douglas’ return. Days passed, but no message came indicating his return. She grew agitated, and missed him. It became her daily constitutional to walk the parapet in the late afternoon.

  “Isabel, what are you doing up here?”

  “Oh, Rachel, I didn’t hear you. I’m watching for Douglas.”

  “Watching won’t make him come any sooner. Shall we go for a ride? It will keep you occupied at least for an hour.”

  “Aye, that might make me feel better.”

  Isabel went to fetch their horses, while Rachel went inside to grab a warmer cloak. They met at the gate, and she handed Rachel a mount’s reins.

  “We shouldn’t go out there. Douglas wouldn’t like it. He told me—”

  “He’s not here, and since when do you follow his dictate? We’ll only ride about the forest. Not afar. Come, it’s a beautiful afternoon. Riding inside the walls would be boring.”