by Rue Allyn
“I see wha’cher doin’, ye big hulkin’ ox.” Cook shook her spoon at Ranulf. “An’ don’t ye maids think he means anythin’ honest by ye. ’E’s th’ sort will lift yer skirts and leave ’em swingin’ in th’ breeze ’e makes as ’e’s leavnin’ ye fer th’ next woman.”
“You’re giving away my secrets, dearlin’.” Ranulf laughed with the cook then swallowed a mouthful of meat and bread.
“I am about to ride out for the first time since my illness and would like your company,” Colin said to his friends. “I promised my nag of a wife I would nae go alone.”
The big man’s brows lifted. “So you let your wife give you orders?”
The chatter of the cook and maids fell silent.
Irritating as it was, Ranulf’s teasing would help create the impression of an argument between earl and countess. “I’m finally getting outside. ʼTis naught to make a promise to a woman if a man gets what he wants. You know that as well as everyone in this room.”
One of the maids snickered.
“Hmpf. I’ll finish my meal and meet you in the stables before you and the others have your horses saddled.”
A short while later Colin and the three men rode through the stronghold gates, headed for the waterfall where the river Naver tumbled into the loch of the same name. When they got there, they let the horses paw for fodder beneath the thin covering of snow and walked toward the shore, where the noise of the falls would guard their words from any possible followers. Colin told his friends of Coillteach and MacBirnum’s pending arrival as well as the plans he’d made with Sorcha for the celebration and the false argument.
Davey shook his head. “Glad I am I’ll nae have to watch you play the straying husband. A lady’s anger is more than any sane man should stand.”
Colin agreed and sent the squire on his way with the letters to Raeb MacKai.
“You have nae really argued with Lady Strathnaver, have you?” Robert asked.
“’Tis an illusion and useful for getting us away from walls with ears, right?” Ranulf queried.
“Aye, but we’ll continue the dispute for a few days, in hope we will snare a traitor or two. The nearer we come to identifying the English spies and finding the missing letters, the greater the danger to Sorcha. I want you and Robert to keep a closer guard on her than you already are. Even were she not helping me to find the traitors at Strathnaver, one of them could seek to harm me through her. Nor are all my clansmen happy with a MacKai as their countess. Her safety is paramount. Had I my way, one of us would be at her side every moment of every day.”
“Do you think she’d allow that?”
Colin pondered the question. “She might if I persuade her that a false flirtation with you or Robert would add fuel to the impression we want to create that we are angry with each other. I willna do so, however, unless I ken she is protected.” He explained in detail the plot to confide in the chamberlain and steward.
“Robert would be the best choice. He’s prettier than me, and I dinna think Lady Sorcha likes me much.”
“’Tis just your overbearing size and manner, but you or Robert matters little. Though I must admit that Robert will be a more comfortable choice for me. I know he loves his wife and it will pain him even to pretend betraying her. Sorcha will be in nae danger of succumbing to his flirtations.” Saint Andrew’s Cross, he prayed he would nae have to see Sorcha with someone else in order to have her happy. Going through that once with his blackguard brother was enough.
“It might be best if you did hand her over to someone else,” Ranulf muttered.
“What makes you say that?” Colin frowned.
The big man studied Colin before nodding.
“I’ve a few observations about Lady Sorcha that I will share with you now. Then, you may do as you think best.”
“Well enough.” Colin nodded.
“Think you she may be in league with those who wish Edward Plantagenet to rule Scotland?”
“Such a thought never crossed my mind. Why do you entertain it?” Colin kept his tone carefully casual. Ranulf already thought him too involved with Sorcha, and showing how deeply the idea of her as a traitor shocked him would only confirm his friend’s mistaken thinking.
“Well,” the big man worried a thumbnail between his teeth, “she married Brice, which, given the rumors I’ve heard, seems an unlikely pairing at best. Also, you told us at the woodcutter’s cottage that you and she went in search of Brice’s clan badge, which she willingly hid for him.”
“She told me it was his dying request. Sorcha takes such things very seriously.” Colin wasna about to tell them she’d been coerced into the marriage by threats to her family. If she deceived with her actions, could she nae lie as well? Saying anything more would only make him appear a greater fool than Ranulf already imagined.
Colin cast a glance at Robert. Did the Englishman think the same as Ranulf? The man’s expression gave no clue.
Ranulf raised a palm. “Hear me out. You didna find the badge that night and have nae found it yet. Correct?”
“Aye.” Colin’s eyelids narrowed. He didna like the direction the conversation was taking, but he’d said he would listen and so he would.
“Yet she’s been to the piney copse at least once since that night.”
“And your point?”
“ʼTwas Davey’s turn, so he followed her that day. He didna go into the copse but watched her enter and leave. He noted that she took great care to elude anyone who might follow her. ʼTis a blessing Davey is good at his work.”
“If Davey didna see her search for the badge, you’ve nae proof she lied when she told me the badge was gone,” protested Colin, nae wanting to believe Ranulf’s implied condemnation.
“Does any proof exist that she didna take it herself? Did you set a watch?”
Nae, his mind shouted the denial. He was the one who refused to set a watch when Sorcha suggested it.
“If she is betraying Scotland, why tell me about the badge in the first place? When I asked her about it, she could simply have denied knowing anything.” As she had denied knowledge of the inheritance ring.
Ranulf shrugged. “Perhaps to gain your trust. Who can know a woman’s mind, especially that of a traitor? But I know this. That badge was in the pine tree hollow when she left.”
“How could you know that?” Colin knew but he needed to hear the words.
“Because Davey went back and searched every tree until he found it.” Ranulf reached into his jerkin, withdrew the badge, and handed it over.
“Robert, do you agree with Ranulf that Sorcha may be a traitor to Scotland?”
The knight shrugged. “I know from experience that little is what it appears to be on the surface, but I dinna know the countess well enough to make a judgment.”
Colin took the feathers and metal, staring at it as if he’d never seen such a thing. His head spun and the roaring in his ears drowned out even the waterfall. Everything Ranulf claimed was possible. The idea that Sorcha was a spy ran contrary to all he knew about her. Yet she’d been placing obstacles in his way since the moment he arrived.
She insisted he keep to their chamber and pretend to recover his health, when he could have been out observing his people and being actively involved in the search for spies. She’d hidden the dualchas fainne. She’d been in the room when he’d ordered Ranulf to send Alex to follow the steward, when the man left the stronghold in secret. Ranulf would never have betrayed his friend, but Sorcha could have sent word to someone and had Alex killed. She’d broken faith with Brice years ago with that kiss. She’d allowed her betrothal to be broken, then reversed that decision. She claimed Brice coerced her, but could he believe her? Brice was more than capable, but the Sorcha Colin knew now was nae frightened weakling. Worse than all those past betrayals, she’d persuaded him to write a letter to Raeb—Clan Marr’s sworn enemy—and invite him into the stronghold with as many warriors as he could muster. He’d been uneasy at the idea of having armed MacKais w
ithin the stronghold, but he’d let his trust in Sorcha discount the possible danger. What had she put in her own letter to her brother? Colin had nae bothered to read it. He’d nae even thought to, he trusted Sorcha so much.
Now he had to face the possibility that she hated him greatly enough to betray Scotland in pursuit of revenge. Which was incredibly stupid when he knew doing so would put her in league with the clan that stole the MacKai livelihood, killed her parents, and left her for dead. She would never ally herself with Brice just to betray Colin. Except that he had suggested just such a strategy—appear to befriend their strongest suspects in hope of discovering something that would destroy them.
He sighed. His actions may have triggered the events that led to the broken betrothal and after, but he’d nae committed any of the crimes. He believed her when she claimed she wanted peace between them. If she wanted revenge on him, she would get it without causing pain to others.
Still, hate was a strong motivator, and the badge was nae explained. Perhaps Brice’s man returned it, or perhaps it was a signal only and not meant to be taken. Why was Ranulf so intent on putting Sorcha at fault?
“Colin, are you all right?”
Pushing aside his conflicting thoughts, he shook his head. “Yes, I’m fine. Why do you ask?” He’d thought Ranulf shared his faith in Sorcha. Did his friend really base his questions about her on the missing badge when there was no proof either way that her involvement was other than she claimed?
“You went pale and silent very quickly for quite some time.”
Colin thought fast. He needed time to decide how best to proceed, and he’d nae wish to argue with his friends over Sorcha. “I’ve had a shock. I’d nae believe Sorcha capable of such deep deceit had you nae given me this proof. ʼTis as well, I’ve asked you to watch over her. She will believe ʼtis protection—and ʼtwill be—but you may also watch for more solid proof of her intent toward Scotland.” He handed the badge back to Ranulf. “You had best keep this safe. I’d nae want Sorcha to stumble upon it among my things. The woman has a mad need for neatness and cleanliness.”
Ranulf took the badge and hid it within his jerkin. “I know few women outside of tabhairns who dinna share her madness.”
Colin smiled as widely as his whirling thoughts allowed.
“Speaking of women and their madness,” Colin said, “’tis but one of many things I need to discuss with you in addition to guarding Sorcha.”
“You have our complete attention,” Robert said.
Colin reminded the men of Coillteach and MacBirnum’s pending visit and the plan to argue with Sorcha and share confidences with the chamberlain and the steward.
Ranulf’s eyelids lowered, and he turned away from the spray rising at the base of the waterfall. The movement put his face in shadow.
“What will you share with your knights to lure them into exposing themselves, if they are traitors?”
“We’ll claim that someone approached me with an offer to sell me the missing letter from France. I am to meet this person at the tabhairn two nights from now to discuss his fee. The message said to wear a white feather in my cap so he can recognize me easily. We believe that if either the chamberlain or the steward is a traitor, he will arrive before us and try to get the letters for himself. I need one of you to wear a feather in my place and watch for whoever shows up.
“I should do that,” Robert said. “I can go early to the tabhairn and pretend to drown my sorrows over Sorcha.”
Ranulf nodded. “That might work. But there are risks.”
“As I am well aware.”
“Why those two men?”
“Because I’ve spoken with and observed everyone living at Strathnaver, and only these two have lied to and misled me.”
“You are certain?”
“As certain as I can be. Sorcha and I came up with this plan to confirm our suspicions.” He described the conversations held with the two senior knights.
“If lies are the criteria for identifying our spies and avenging Alex, Lady Agnes would be a much better suspect,” Robert suggested.
“Really?” Colin had discounted her as being too emotional to be a spy.
“The woman was once Edward Plantagenet’s mistress.”
“True, but that does not make her his spy.”
“She lies herself blind about that boy,” Ranulf added.
“Her son, Henry?”
“’Tis nae her son, nor your father’s, nor even Edward I’s.”
Colin’s brows met. He’d known something about Henry was off but had imagined it was simply that he was Edward’s bastard. “Then whose child is he?”
“He’s the get of a tabhairn wench from the south end of the loch and the tabhairn keeper. They wed when she got with child, but the child disappeared when it was born. The story is that it was stillborn, but they never held a funeral.”
“If the boy is nae Edward’s bastard, England’s king canna claim Strathnaver through the lad. Brice would have to be dead as well,” Robert noted.
“Are you so certain your brother died a natural death?” Ranulf asked. “ʼTwould be easy to poison a man already weakened by illness. Then, since your father claimed Henry as his, no proof of legitimacy is necessary. The dowager, as the boy’s guardian, could sell or give Strathnaver to the English.”
Plots within plots. There was something in what his friends were saying, but Colin could nae see it clearly. He needed time to think. “Hmmm. ʼTis worth looking into. Sorcha and I have already searched most of the stronghold. But Lady Agnes had a locked box that we couldna open hidden in one of her chests.”
“If you can find a way to get me the box, I’ll open it without damaging it and report what I find when I give it to you to be returned,” Ranulf volunteered.
“Good idea. We’ll do that the next time Lady Agnes insists on being driven out to the market. She goes every week, so we should be able to do that before Coillteach and MacBirnum arrive.”
“Now as to Henry. I would remove the boy from my stepmother’s care. However, ʼtis sure to alert her that I suspect something. She might flee, or try to harm the boy before he can reveal anything he might know. One of you must befriend Sir Broc to get close enough to watch over the lad.”
The two knights nodded. “We’ll work out the details between us,” Ranulf said.
“Will you tell Lady Agnes of our expected visitors? And do you think we should send Coillteach a message and ask him to bring more men?” Robert asked, changing the subject.
“Preparations for the celebration and visit must be made. Lady Agnes will find out when the news is announced to the household. As for sending to Coillteach, more men would be useful, but I dinna know exactly how many he intends to bring, and if Coillteach changes his plans at the last minute, MacBirnum may decide trying to meet with his spies is too risky. He is the greater threat to Scotland, so we want him more than the other traitors. However, we canna leave the small fish. They will soon find another leader. Besides, once they are captured we can bargain with them to give evidence against MacBirnum.”
Ranulf nodded. “Then you’ll nae send word to Coillteach of what goes forward?”
“ʼTis no need,” Colin said. “He knows what work I do here and will receive the details as soon as we can meet after he arrives. Nae, if extra men are needed, I must rely on Baron MacKai.”
“Are you sure that’s wise?” Robert interjected. “Peace may be offered between your clans, but it is not yet assured. You could very well be inviting your doom into your home.”
“Raeb MacKai is one of Scotland’s staunchest defenders. His clan follows where he leads. Nae matter what he feels about me or Clan Marr, Raeb will defend Scotland and protect Sorcha. Once he arrives, you, Davey, and Robert will be free of guarding her to help me confine the spies in the dungeons and present the proof we’ve gathered to Coillteach. That is all I have to share with you at present. Now give me your reports.”
“’Tis little to say. We’ve no luck findi
ng the letters, identifying any allies or enemies within the stronghold, and while there is plenty of suspicious activity and skulking about going on, it all seems to be related to which man or woman is sleeping with another’s spouse.” Robert spoke, and Ranulf nodded his confirmation.
“That’s fairly typical of any large household.” And could easily be used to cover meetings between traitors. Colin kept the thought to himself—why had his usually perceptive men nae considered the possibility? “Were you able to speak with the English priest and check on the chamberlain’s story about the missing supplies?”
“That was the one odd thing. When questioned, he appeared confused and denied any knowledge of the mortar and pestle or any other supplies. Yet I believe Lady Strathnaver reported that the priest confirmed the chamberlain’s version of events.”
“When last I asked, she said she had nae been able to question the priest privately and couldna confirm or deny the chamberlain’s story.”
“She’s a canny lass,” remarked Ranulf. “If she canna report, she canna be accused.”
More fuel on the fires of suspicion surrounding Sorcha? Why was such a wealth of evidence appearing at the same time Lord Coillteach’s visit was planned?
“And all the more reason to capture at least one of these spies very soon and find the truth. You’d best be about your duties. I’ll remain a while to give truth to the impression of discord between Sorcha and me.”
Nodding, his men mounted then left.
Colin was relieved to see his friends go. He needed to think a while before returning to the stronghold. Could Sorcha have been deceiving him all along? Everything Ranulf said made sense, and Sorcha looked guilty, especially if her delaying tactics were added. But it still made no sense for her to ally herself with Clan Marr in any way, unless she was more cold-hearted and calculating than he could imagine. In that moment that she’d claimed Brice had coerced her into marriage, she’d been neither cold nor calculating. However, Brice wasna alive to confirm or deny the story. ʼTwas possible that she didna really spy for the English but sought to blacken Colin and Clan Marr by making them appear guilty of treason. He nodded to himself. That was a much more likely motive for the actions laid at her door.