Chapter 48
"Isn’t this a tender sight?"
Owen’s rough voice pulled Verena from a deep sleep. She was dreaming of Cairn, running to him through a tangle of dark, twisted trees that scratched at her face and dress. A beautiful infant was cradled in her arms, crying as if his little lungs would burst. She was lost and desperate, but she knew if she could reach Cairn she would be safe.
There were only a few yards to the castle, but it seemed impossibly far away. Cairn stood just in front of the gate, his arms open in welcome, but before she could reach him, he turned away. Verena called out to him, begging Cairn not to leave her, but it was no use. He didn’t love her. Cairn didn’t want their child.
Strong arms clamped on her skirt. She looked down to find Owen and Gundy pulling at her, drawing her down into the Old Lord’s sarcophagus. The beautiful, frightened child with the powerful voice was slipping from her hands and there was nothing she could do to catch him.
She bolted upright in bed. One hand rushed to her belly, desperate to feel the tiny child inside. He was safe and Verena vowed nothing would tear him away.
Jon groaned at the intrusion, pulling a cushion over his head to block out the morning sunlight. They had slept curled in each other’s arms. Now Owen stood glowering over the bed with his arms folded across his chest.
"Has Gundy asked for me?"
That was the only reason she could think of for Owen appearing in her room unless he meant to replace Jon with himself. She shuddered at that thought and discreetly reached for the knife she had tucked under her pillow. Her earlier resolve to give Owen what he wanted only referred to the treasure.
"Nay. Get dressed. We have a visitor. You too, Jon."
With one last disgruntled look at the boy lounging in her bed, Owen left the room.
"Poor Owen. He was seething with jealousy."
"That is not funny."
Snatching the pillow, she whacked Jon over the head with it. This was certainly no time for teasing. Where was the mature youth who tenderly wiped her tears the night before? That person vanished with a loud and decisive snore.
She gave a sudden push and shoved Jon off the bed. He lay in a tangled heap of blankets, staring at Verena with murder in his eyes.
"You are lucky you are pregnant," he warned. Those words were like ice water on their play. She was pregnant. Lord Gundy demanded that she get rid of the child. Owen planned to assassinate Gundy and make her his lover. What was she to do?
Jon promised they would think of a plan, but it appeared they would have no time. Owen’s mysterious guest awaited them in the front room of the tent. Neither of them could imagine who the stranger could be. It was obviously not one of Lord Gundy’s neighbors paying a visit or Hadran would be there instructing her on how best to conduct herself.
Verena could hear the awake and active camp through the tent’s fabric walls. Orders were shouted and servants ran about seeing to their lord’s comfort. Gundy must have given new orders after she left the night before.
She drew back the flap separating her room from the rest of the tent and paused in shock. A small figure in nondescript dark clothes stood in the center of the room, sizing up Owen and Hadran. Hollow eyes swung to Verena and peered at her as if calmly plotting her disembowelment.
"That is Ivone’s assassin."
She desperately longed to draw her knives, but forced her itchy palms to remain at her sides. If she meant to harm them, the woman would have snuck into their tent during the night.
"Assassin doesn’t quite describe the full range of my abilities." The self-confident words belied the modest nod of her head. She seemed to be at ease, but her feet were balanced in a fighter’s stance. Her hands hovered close to the long knife at her belt. She would bet there were many more weapons concealed in her clothing. "Gundy has sent me to offer my services."
Verena suspected the woman’s appearance was due more to Ivone’s influence than Gundy’s. She was a guest in his camp with only one soul she could trust. The lady no doubt sent her servant to keep an eye on his spies. By placing her own spy with them, Ivone guaranteed she would be the first to know of any changes to the plan.
"We don’t need your help." Jon remembered the battle between this assassin and Verena, and wanted nothing to do with this deadly woman.
The assassin lifted one eyebrow, not bothering to respond to the boy’s bluster. Regardless of their abilities, Gundy’s word was law. If he thought they needed the extra support, they would get it.
"What is your name?" She tried to make the question sound innocuous, but she was burning with curiosity. She wanted to know everything about the woman who vowed to slay her.
"Mary."
"Well met, Mary. Welcome to the team. Are you hungry?"
Verena gestured for her to take a seat next to a tray full of breads, meat and cheese. Without a word, the family of spies circled the assassin. She stood in front, Owen behind, and Hadran and Jon were on either side. They were relaxed, but there was a tension in the air that strained her nerves.
None of them trusted this woman and for good reason. Did she really expect them to welcome her into their fold merely because of Gundy’s order? They wouldn’t defy him, but neither would they lower their guard around this newcomer.
"You should eat too," said Mary, wrapping a chunk of bread into a napkin for later. How could she eat surrounded by enemies? "Gundy wants us on the road in an hour."
"We are moving camp?"
"Aye. The lords are anxious for this siege to begin. When Gundy gives the signal, you will lead a small contingent of men through the secret passage. I searched and couldn’t find it, but I know it must lead to the Old Lord’s woods. You were clever to find it."
Praise from this woman? She blinked. Those words, with their semblance of kindness, made her more wary than a direct threat. Mary laughed at her unease.
Jon told Hadran about the secret passage when he escaped from Scotland, and Hadran told Gundy. He was delighted with the news and quickly saw how he could use it to his advantage. With the McPhersons busy repelling the main army, a small group of English solders would infiltrate the castle through the secret passage.
She remembered the anguish she felt in Scotland when Gundy ordered her to murder Cairn. She couldn’t hurt him then, and she couldn’t harm him now. What would she do when Gundy ordered her to betray Cairn again?
"You are precious! I can see why Gundy has such faith in your team. With those big, innocent eyes you don’t look capable of hurting a fly. Muscles over there is probably more than willing to handle the dirty jobs. A young lad is always useful for sneaking into difficult places, and the old man must keep you in line."
"What about you, Mary? Who keeps you in line?" Owen finally spoke up. There was no mistaking the threat in his voice. If Mary gave him any reason to doubt her, he would be ready and willing to end to her career.
Mary laughed again. It was a harsh sound, completely devoid of humor. It made her skin crawl. What happened to this woman? Verena had her family of spies to support her. They uplifted each other when their assignments became too difficult. This woman had nothing but the ruthless job and the coin she received from Ivone.
She couldn’t forget that moment when she informed Gundy about the child. A shadow of something crossed the assassin’s eyes, a flicker of emotion so brief it might have been imagined. Something was there beneath the impenetrable armor of Mary’s heart.
"I need no keeper," boasted Mary with a savage curl of her lip. "I follow milady of my own free will. If anyone tries to get in my way …"
The words trailed into silence, allowing each spy to imagine the gruesome fate that befell those who dared to control her. At least one person had tried and paid the price.
"There is much to be done if we are to leave within the hour." Hadran’s matter-of-fact words snapped them back to the present. Despite their personal feelings for each other, they still worked for Gundy.
Owen had not mentioned his
plot to overthrow their lord, but she knew he was contemplating it with glee. This woman was another obstacle in his path, but Owen would deal with her.
The heady sense of anticipation lay thick in the air. Any moment she expected a calamity to strike. When would Owen make his move?
"We will need water for the journey. Verena, can you help me collect some?"
Sweet, perceptive Jon must have sensed her growing panic and offered her a respite. She was only too eager to grab their water skins and follow Jon to a small stream near the camp. She was dressed in her tattered garb from the dungeon and an old blanket so no one recognized her as the tempting vision that visited Gundy’s tent the night before.
"Thank you," Verena said once they were out of sight of the camp. She leaned down and splashed icy water on her face. The shock helped to calm her strained nerves.
"We don’t have much time. Give me your water skins and walk through those trees."
"I don’t understand."
"Shh! The soldiers will hear you. Go! You’ll understand soon enough."
She followed his instructions and headed deeper into the forest. In the distance she could hear their noisy preparations, but felt isolated in the thick trees.
"Verena?"
The knife was in her hand before she spun around, but she dropped it when she saw her visitor.
"Cairn! What are you doing here?"
She flung herself into his open arms, kissing him as though her life depended on each brush of their lips. He was trying to say something, but she was so intent on the glorious feel of him in her arms, it took her a while to understand his words.
"You love me?"
"Aye, and I should have realized that long ago."
"But after all I have done …"
"You saved my life. That’s all I care about. You risked Gundy’s wrath for me and I repaid you by locking you in the dungeon. I am an ungrateful cur."
"Nay! You were right to be angry. Oh Cairn, you must return to Scotland immediately. Gundy has ordered his army to advance. They know about the Old Lord’s tunnel. Gundy wants me to lead a group of his men through it while your soldiers are occupied repelling the siege."
"His men can’t find the tunnel if you come back with me. Once you are in the castle, you will be safe. Andreu should return any day with supplies and men. We can hold out until then."
She wanted nothing more than to go back to Scotland. She wished she could rely on his strong sword arm and the mountain of stone to protect her and their child from danger, but couldn’t. She had worked for Gundy far too long to trust her sudden good fortune.
If she returned with Cairn, the spies would come after her, if not Owen, then Ivone’s assassin. The family that supported her for most of her life also suffocated her, forcing her into a life of servitude and compromise.
"I cannot return with you." Cairn’s fingers tightened on her. It never occurred to him that she might refuse to leave. Cairn was bewildered by her refusal. "We would never be safe."
She told him of Ivone’s presence in Gundy’s camp and her sinister assassin. Mary wasn’t the only threat to their happiness. Owen vowed to keep Verena by his side. If she ran away, Jon would be punished for helping her escape. She couldn’t let that happen.
"Let me protect you."
"Who will protect Jon and Hadran? How many people have to die for us to be together?"
"What do you suggest?" Cairn planted his feet, clearly unwilling to abandon her. Verena wanted to weep with frustration. "Am I to leave you to return to being Gundy’s servant? What will happen to our child then?"
She forced herself to take deep, calming breaths. She had been pondering those questions since she learned about the child. When the war was over, she intended to run away. She would lose herself in holy lands. It would be hard for a woman alone, but perhaps Jon would come with her. She didn’t know what kind of life she would find there, but she and her child would be alive.
"I will run away. There are places so remote no one will find me."
"Unacceptable. I know you are strong, but you need a man’s protection. You need me and I need you."
He needed her? Every fiber of her being vibrated with excitement. She wanted to shout her love for Cairn and beg him to take her back to Scotland. She wanted to wrap herself in his embrace and pretend Gundy and her foolish band of spies didn’t matter, but she couldn’t. Before she could respond, Jon’s overly loud voice rang out from the trees.
"Hey Mary! Have you come to check on us?"
"I’m sorry," the words were whispered as she turned and fled, dodging the hand that reached out to restrain her. She couldn’t kiss him goodbye, she couldn’t say anything more. If she looked back, all her conviction would melt away.
Verena was a good spy. When plans went horribly awry, Hadran taught her to act with confidence and maintain a level head. Verena grasped at that lesson desperately as she wiped at her tears.
When she emerged from the trees, her face was serene. Her eyes were calm, but puckered with annoyance at Mary’s unwanted presence. She irritably adjusted her skirts as she strode to the stream.
"What is taking so long?" Mary asked, glancing about in suspicion.
Verena smiled in mockery of her distrust. "I don’t need your permission to relieve myself. The camp has not yet begun to march."
"I don’t know how you usually operate, but with me everyone pulls their own weight." Mary grabbed Verena’s arm as she walked past, her fingers dug painfully into her biceps, but she didn’t flinch. "You aren’t a lady anymore."
"I am whoever Gundy wants me to be."
Verena waited, silently counting a full ten seconds until Mary’s hand slipped from her arm. Verena stalked away with her head proudly high. Had she won this round? It was difficult to tell. Mary was too assessing. She hadn’t given any ground in their confrontation, only tilted her head to one side, mocking Verena’s dignity.
Chapter 49
Despite Mary’s words, Hadran quickly saw the advantage in arranging the spies around Verena as Gundy’s ward. That status legitimized them in the camp, and ensured they received better supplies for the journey. Mary found a simple though expensive gown and took on the role of her nurse while the others became her guards and assistants.
Their attentions were exemplary. Each spy treated her with such courtesy that she began to feel like an invalid. Gundy insisted she ride in a litter painted in gaudy shades of yellow, gold and green and carried by Hadran and Owen. The sway of the contraption as they carried her over the rough terrain made Verena immediately nauseous.
The massive army traveled at a snail’s pace through the forest, clearing much of the ancient trees as they passed. Their passage was agonizingly slow. With every swaying step of her carriers, she was reminded of her first journey through these woods when she was able to comfortably rest in Cairn’s arms.
Had he returned to Scotland? He must, for there was no way Cairn could reach her trapped in the middle of Gundy’s army. He should be back at the castle, hurriedly preparing for battle. Perhaps she would catch a glimpse of him shouting orders to his men from the parapets.
An alarmed shout cut into Verena’s grim musing. It was abruptly cut off and followed by the dull thud of a heavy object falling to the ground. More shouts quickly followed as a thick rain of arrows descended upon them. Contradictory orders were given as each lord instructed his men to see to their own protection. The army’s superficial unity disintegrated.
She resisted the urge to lean her head out the window to see what the commotion was about. The wooden walls of the litter gave her a modicum of protection and she would be a fool to abandon it. She heard Hadran order a curt "to the left!" and carried the litter into the shade of some trees. Other servants followed their example, leaving the nobles to the protection of the confused knights. A few soldiers organized themselves into a unit and charged to meet their attackers, but their advance was quickly halted by the deadly accuracy of Scottish arrows.
Ther
e was nothing she could do, but cower in her wooden box and pray the archers didn’t confuse her for one of the English lords. One small sword was in each hand. Her skirts were raised to her thighs, revealing the knives strapped to them. Should the swords fail, she could fling the knives and buy herself precious minutes to escape. She would be loathe to injure one of the McPhersons, but they may not recognize her in the heat of battle.
She strained her ears to pick out the muffled sounds of battle. The archers seemed to have only attacked the front of the army where the nobles and knights marched—including Verena. If Cairn knew of her role in Gundy’s camp, would he have still attacked? She shook her head, forcing the question from her mind. Cairn had a duty to protect his people and she had flatly refused to go with him. She didn’t deserve his consideration.
"Run!" Hadran yelled as he pulled the door open. He grasped Verena by the forearm and pulled her from the litter. They ran together through the trees, following Owen and the other servants. Even the most ruthless army would take care of the enemy soldiers first before turning their attention to the fleeing women and servants. Taking advantage of this wisdom, the non-combatants tried to put as much distance as possible between them and the battle.
To her horror, her flight didn’t go unnoticed. Taking perverse pride in his new ‘relation’ Gundy ordered a small group of men to see to her safety. They pursued her in brightly colored livery that was sure to be noticed by the Scots. Predictably a volley of arrows flew in her direction as the Scots suspected a detachment of men was trying to flank them.
"Fools!" Verena shouted as she ducked under an old, gnarled oak. They were protected by armor, but she had naught but the silk dress. "They are following you! Leave me be!"
The soldiers ignored her words. One of them lifted her protesting form onto his horse, but an arrow in his back stopped his brave attempt. Using the soldier’s body as a shield, she held him in place with one arm. Her other hand grabbed the reins and kicked the horse into a gallop. She led them in an abrupt left angle, drawing the fire away from the fleeing servants.
Seducing the Laird Page 22