A Hellion at the Highland Court: A Rags to Riches Highlander Romance (The Highland Ladies Book 9)

by Celeste Barclay

  “Not yet, Brodie. He loves her. He won’t believe you.” Laurel ran her hand over Brodie’s back. “Would you believe him if he accused me of such things?”

  “No,” Brodie admitted. “Do you think he’s aware?”

  “I don’t know. He hasn’t been warm to me, but I don’t get the impression that he’d hurt his own mother.”

  “Nay. He wouldn’t. We were both close to Mother, especially once Father died. We adored her. Her death devastated him.”

  “And Colina was right there to comfort him.”

  “Aye. We thought she shared our grief. I admit I was even jealous that Dom had someone to turn to, and I didn’t.”

  “Then, you can’t say aught until it’s irrefutable.”

  A thought struck Laurel as she considered why she’d sought Brodie out. “Has Colina taken an interest in aught at all aboot the running the keep?”

  “Only the wine. She’s very particular aboot it. Dom calls it that, anyway. I call it pretentious.”

  “Is she just interested, or is she involved with the wine?”

  “She selects what’s served, but I don’t think she speaks to Cal aboot it.”

  “Fuck.”

  “Laurel,” Brodie gasped.

  “You’re not the only one who kens the word,” Laurel said with a shrug. “I was coming up here to tell you, Aggie and I found tampered with wine. At least three casks. When I was looking around the other day, I noticed a funny smell from a few. Aggie told me they were newer vintages, so there wasn’t a reason for them to be putrid already. I poured one out, and Declan smashed it open for me. There was tar at the bottom of the barrel. The casks we found them in were small. The kind that fit on a shelf and would last a night or two. Awkward, but Aggie carried one, and I carried two. Colina could have managed at least one. Brodie, if she mixed the poisoned wine with pure wine, it would mask the taste enough for people to drink it. It wouldn’t taste right, but no one would complain at the table. A couple nights of that, and we’d all be dead.”

  “Dominic doesn’t drink wine. Ever.” Brodie shook his head. “We drank ourselves sick when we were younger. Ever since then, Dominic heaves at even the taste of it.”

  “So Colina wouldn’t have to worry aboot explaining to Dominic why he shouldn’t drink the wine.”

  “Where are the casks now?

  “In the undercroft’s grain storeroom. I had Declan place them on the top shelf. Just aboot any mon could reach them, but no woman could. I couldn’t, and I’m taller than most.”

  “Do you think there are others?” Brodie was growing more and more concerned by what he heard.

  “Possibly. But three of those would be enough to poison everyone at the high table over the course of a few days.”

  “Show me.”

  Laurel led Brodie to the undercroft, showing him the hidden casks first before taking him to the buttery. They inspected each barrel and cask, but found nothing obviously tampered with. But Brodie voiced Laurel’s concern. They might need to dump all their wine in case Colina had sabotaged more, and they just couldn’t smell it. They walked into the Great Hall together, both somber and deep in thought. Laurel shook herself from her stupor, knowing it was Monty and Donnan’s last night at Kilchurn. They’d stayed on to ensure Laurel was safe, and Brodie gratefully added the partners to Laurel’s guard rotation. Now Laurel realized how much she would miss her brother and her friend. She could only truly trust Brodie, and she’d made no friends yet. The days grew infinitely longer.

  Thirty-Nine

  Laurel and Brodie left the stables after their morning ride. Just as Laurel requested, he forewent training for two days after he sustained his wound. She could only shake her head the morning he returned to training. He’d bounded out of the keep like a young lad. But he’d delayed his entry the past four morning since Monty and Donnan departed. She’d stood beside Brodie as she waved to her brother and his lover until they faded from sight. Brodie understood Laurel was lonely, so he tried to start her days with a smile. They reached the steps to the keep when the cry went out that a rider approached. The man who entered the bailey wore King Robert’s livery.

  Laurel and Brodie sighed in unison. Their summons had arrived. Precisely a sennight after the battle. Brodie hadn’t exaggerated. Whether it was the Lamonts or MacDougalls who raced to inform the king, the Bruce hadn’t dallied before sending a messenger. Brodie accepted the missive before he and Laurel went to their solar. Brodie knew it was less likely someone would interrupt them there than in his own solar. They shared the window seat, their favorite place in the chamber. Brodie opened the parchment, and they read the missive together.

  “You predicted it, Laurie. The king understands, but the court is rallying for my head on a pike. Everyone is calling it a massacre.”

  “We knew it would happen. What do you expect the king will do once we’re there?”

  “Levy a fine against me for fighting an unsanctioned war with four other clans. He’ll likely demand I pay restitution to them. We’ll ride with four times the guards because I will not only have you to protect but several chests of coin.”

  “You’re going to pay?” Laurel was aghast.

  “Aye. I have little choice. But no amount of coin is going to give any of those clans their men back. None of them will harry us again for years. Not if they wish to survive. The money will feed and clothe the innocent, so I feel no resentment making restitution. But neither do I feel guilty for decimating their armies. They knew what they faced when they took on the Campbells. They met the fate they created.”

  Laurel sat back, nodding her head. She understood Brodie’s logic, and she admitted she hadn’t really considered those who’d been left behind. She’d worried about the widows among her clan, but she hadn’t thought about the widows in the other clans. They were not in positions to dictate whether their men went to battle. She slipped his hand into Brodie’s.

  “I admire you, husband. Most lairds would refuse to pay those who attacked them. They wouldn’t care what happened to those left behind. You are gracious in your victory.”

  “Thank you, thistle. It feels good to hear you say that. Are you ready to leave in the morn?”

  “I am, but do you feel comfortable leaving Dominic behind? We still don’t know if Colina’s done aught else.”

  “She needs Dominic if she’s to become Lady Campbell, so I believe he’s safe. Neither of us thinks he’s colluding with her. I trust him, and I ken he’s a good tánaiste. Our people are safe with him in charge. If we’re away, who is there to harm? She only wants us dead.” Brodie said with a shrug.

  “But she wouldn’t have been able to taint only our wine. She was willing to kill members of your senior guard.”

  “Aye, but they’ll be with us.”

  Laurel drew her lips in and frowned. She wasn’t so readily convinced. It didn’t sit well with her to leave while matters were unresolved. But she knew they couldn’t ignore the Bruce’s demand that they attend court. They had found no evidence to connect Colina with Gara’s death, so they’d named it an accident. Her parents were dead, so there was no one to insist upon seeing the body. They arranged her funeral for the next day and tried to minimize the gossip. Laurel had found no more contaminated wine. It made her wonder when Colina intended to strike. Laurel figured Colina hadn’t discovered her weapon of choice wasn’t in the buttery anymore. She and Brodie discussed the situation daily, but they didn’t know how to learn more.

  “Brodie, what if I remain here?”

  “Absolutely not. No, Laurel.” Brodie’s voice was unwavering.

  “You trust Dominic, but he doesn’t ken what his wife is up to. We can’t be sure she won’t try to harm people.”

  “She hasn’t done aught when I’ve been away in the past.”

  “That you ken. If you hadn’t overheard us talking, would you have imagined Colina capable of aught nefarious?”

  “No. But I’m still not relenting. You are not remaining here without me. I w
ill not accept that risk. You nearly died the last time I left the walls without you. And I was less than a bluidy mile away!” Brodie rose and paced.

  Laurel watched Brodie’s face grow red as his frustration rose. She’d never seen him react this way. Even when he’d been angry in the time she’d known him, he’d never gone red in the face. As the flush deepened, she grew alarmed.

  “Brodie, sit down.” Laurel tugged at his hand, but he didn’t budge. “You’re scaring me.”

  Brodie immediately looked contrite. “I’m not upset with you, Laurie.”

  “I ken that. It’s your face. You’re so red I fear you’ll keel over.” She retrieved her embroidery and used the scroll frame that held the fabric in place as a fan. “Do you feel well?”

  “Nay.” Brodie shook his head. He felt overheated and lightheaded. “I’ve never felt this way just from being angry.”

  “Who filled your waterskin this morn?” Laurel’s chest tightened. They’d broken their fast together, sharing a trencher. They’d had watered ale in the same chalice. The only difference was Brodie drank from a waterskin while they were on their ride, and Laurel hadn’t.

  “Graham. Why?”

  “Does your tongue tingle?”

  “Aye.”

  “Don’t move.” Laurel ran to the door and flung it open. She went to the railing and looked down over the Great Hall. “Aggie! Get me all the gool we have and hot water. Now. Just do it.”

  Laurel dashed back to Brodie, whose face was turning purple. She prayed Aggie hurried with the oxeye daisy. She knew Berta would have water heating for one thing or another, but she didn’t know whether Aggie would have to find Nora for the medicinal. She doubted Brodie had that much time.

  “Laurie,” Brodie choked.

  “Aye. Dinna leave me,” Laurel begged. “Dinna talk. Just breathe, Brodie.”

  Laurel didn’t notice the tears that streamed down her cheeks until Brodie tried to wipe them away. She squeezed his hand and ran next door to retrieve the chamber pot. Grateful that it was clean, she shoved it under Brodie’s chin.

  “Brodie, ye need to throw up. Ye’ve been poisoned.”

  Brodie turned horrified eyes at Laurel, but he bent over the bowl and stuck his fingers down his throat. He gagged, but nothing came up. As he kept trying, Aggie arrived with Graham behind her. Laurel turned a thunderous glare at him. “Get out. Come near my husband, I will kill you,” she threatened Graham. She watched one eye twitch. It was all the confession she needed. She hissed, “I will kill you. Run before I find you.”

  Laurel snatched the medicinal from Aggie, nearly spilling the mug of hot water the housekeeper poured. Laurel sniffed it and sipped. When she was convinced it was pure, she dumped the plant into the mug and used her eating knife to stir it. She was relieved Aggie brought so much. Normally, the plant made a weak tea to reduce fevers, but excessive amounts caused vomiting. She held the mug while Brodie choked down the brew. His throat felt as though it was swelling shut. He feared he would suffocate.

  “Stand up, Brodie,” Laurel begged as sweat poured from Brodie’s forehead. She looked at the stunned Aggie and begged, “Get Dominic.”

  Laurel watched Aggie leave, but if she hadn’t been unwilling to leave Brodie’s side again, she would have butchered Graham, who stood watching in the passageway. She helped Brodie to his feet, but he was unsteady on them. He was too large for Laurel to support on her own. She needed Dominic’s help. Her husband’s younger brother stormed into the room, having heard a commotion as he entered the Great Hall and learned something was happening abovestairs.

  “Help me,” Laurel pleaded. “I need him to stand up. I need the tea to get to his belly faster. Please, help me.”

  Dominic was at Brodie’s side without hesitation. He wrapped his arm around his older brother’s waist and bore much of Brodie’s weight. Laurel fought against the need to sob, praying Graham hadn’t added enough poison to kill someone Brodie’s size. When he groaned, Laurel lifted the chamber pot. With Dominic holding him up, and Laurel holding the chamber pot, Brodie emptied his stomach.

  When there was nothing left, Brodie sagged onto the window seat, his previously scarlet face now deathly pale. Laurel patted his forehead with her skirt as she watched Brodie. She didn’t know what else to do. If his body had already absorbed too much of the poison, throwing up wouldn’t be enough.

  “Brodie?” she whispered.

  “Aye, Laurie,” Brodie wheezed. “A wee better.”

  “What happened?” Dominic demanded, speaking for the first time.

  “The only thing Brodie ate or drank that I didn’t was water while we were out riding. He said Graham filled his waterskin.” Laurel turned her head to investigate the passageway, but Graham was no longer there. “Brodie was poisoned. And now his second is no longer in sight.”

  “Brother?” Dominic’s voice held uncertainty.

  “Go. Find him.” Brodie nodded. Dominic gave a jerky nod, his expression still uncertain. But he hurried out of the chamber. Brodie leaned against Laurel, still too weak to sit up on his own. He felt his wife trembling as she held his hand and rubbed his back once she sat beside him. “Wheest.”

  Laurel squeezed Brodie’s hand, unable to speak now that she had no orders to issue. She looked at Aggie, who’d remained silent and out of the way. She saw the raw pain in the woman’s eyes as she watched a man she’d helped raise struggle to remain alive. Laurel waved her over and stood. Without releasing Brodie’s hand, she moved to stand on his other side, giving Aggie her seat.

  “Och, lad. I dinna ken if ma heart is beating again yet,” Aggie whispered as she took Brodie’s other hand. “I love ye like ye’re ma own wean. I canna imagine losing ye.”

  Brodie looked at Aggie and knew she spoke the truth. Despite being nearly forty, he didn’t resist when the older woman embraced him. He found the comfort she’d given him his entire life, but it didn’t last as it had when he was a child. The person he needed most was Laurel. She hadn’t released his hand since she’d taken it once more. But he eased it from hers, watching her pained expression grow worse until he wrapped his arm around her waist.

  “Thank ye,” Brodie whispered. “Real water?”

  Aggie rinsed and filled his mug with water that had cooled since she brought it. Brodie sipped it until his throat no longer burned, and the lightheadedness faded. He had never felt so drained as he did that moment. Not after any battle, not after his parents died, not even once he found Laurel after her abduction and finding her in the larder. He’d been confident that he would find her, refused to believe he wouldn’t. But as he gasped for each breath, growing more certain that he would die, he feared leaving Laurel alone. He feared never seeing her or listening to her again. So now that the crisis was averted, and he knew he wasn’t leaving her a widow, his energy was sapped.

  “Do ye wish to lie down, bear?” Laurel asked softly. Laurel noticed Aggie smiled at them, then slipped from the chamber to give them privacy.

  “Aye. Will ye stay?”

  “I’m nae going anywhere,” Laurel spluttered, aghast that he thought she might leave his side.

  “Dominic? Graham?”

  “I dinna ken,” Laurel shrugged as she helped Brodie struggle to his feet once more. He staggered his first couple steps, but he grew steadier as he approached the door. As they left the solar and turned toward their chamber, an unholy roar rose from the Great Hall below. Brodie and Laurel went to peer down over the railing, stunned to find Colina in Graham’s arms as Dominic surged forward with his sword drawn.

  Forty

  “Cease!” Brodie bellowed, uncertain how he summoned the strength to speak, let alone yell. He looked at Laurel, who stood wide-eyed as she watched the scene below. Brodie gritted his teeth as he took Laurel’s hand. He muttered, “We have to go down.”

  “I ken.” Laurel sounded as eager as Brodie felt. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Brodie moving slower than usual, he approached the trio. Colina remained in Graham’s
embrace while Dominic held them at sword point. Graham appeared unrepentant, and Colina’s expression was pure arrogance.

  “Shite,” Laurel hissed. “They’re having an affair.”

  Brodie gawked at Laurel, disbelieving what he heard. His second barely tolerated Colina and was more open about his disdain than Brodie ever had been. And he was certain that despite Colina’s standoffishness, she loved Dominic. Though he’d begun to doubt that of late. What he overhead on the landing and then deducing what Colina likely did to his mother, made Brodie second guess his sister’s-by-marriage intentions.

  Laurel stepped beside Dominic and pressed down on his blade. She looked at the devastated man and knew her suspicions were correct. Graham wasn’t protecting Colina merely because she was a woman. “Dom, not until we know everything,” Laurel whispered.

  “I already ken all I need to know,” Dominic snapped. “They’re lovers and tried to kill my brother.”

  “But why? What motivated them? It’s not love. Not really,” Laurel countered. She pressed harder on Dominic’s sword, and he relented. She stared at Graham, thinking about how loyal he’d always seemed to Brodie, how he’d protected her. She struggled to reason why he would betray Brodie in such a hideous way. She couldn’t fathom why he’d tried to kill Brodie.

  “Laurie, he’s our brother,” Brodie rasped as he watched Laurel. He guessed her mind was alive with various explanations, but he already knew. “He’s our aulder brother.”

  Laurel looked at Brodie and understood what he meant. She closed her eyes before turning back to Graham and Colina. “You were talking aboot Graham that day.”

  “Finally figured it out,” Colina sneered.

  “Why poison, Graham? That’s a woman’s weapon?” Laurel asked, but her mouth fell open as she looked back at Colina. “You found out I discovered the wine. You assumed I would be the one who needed a drink. You meant the water for me. Did you know, Graham? Did you know the water was poisoned, and you let your brother drink it, anyway?”