The servant shook her head. “Nay, Milady, it was Sherwood’s son who told me of the impending attack on Cock Bridge. I spoke with Laird Jared and now know he was not aware of it until much later. Milord has forgiven me for not rushing to him with the news. I thought he already knew.”
Asilinn managed a wan smile. “I'm glad, Wynne. I dinna know what I'd do if you were against us.” Asilinn wondered at her own remark. Did she now see herself fully aligned with husband?
“Never in this lifetime,” Wynne said. “But there is something else. Are you feelin’ well? You look a bit pale.”
“I feel nauseous,” Asilinn admitted. She rubbed her hand over her flat stomach. “I think Laird Jared's child grows within me. My monthly flow is late and all signs point to the possibility.”
“Oh, that's wonderful,” Wynne cried. “Is Laird Jared pleased?”
“He doesna know. I must be sure before I tell him, but this stomach upset leads me to suspect it more strongly.”
“You dinna want the child?”
“This child would be the fruit of my union with the Laird of Dunbocan. I fear for the child’s safety. Unless the war is ended, our child will suffer greatly by the accident of his birth.” Asilinn got up from the chair and smoothed out her gown. “And worst of all I canna shake the fear I feel for my husband's life. If I am left a pregnant widow, what will become of our child? He would be heir to Dunbocan, but half Innes. Both sides may wish to see him dead.”
“The laird can take care of himself, Milady. He will come back safe and sound.” Wynne brushed an errant strand of hair from Asilinn’s face.
“My visions have a way of becoming reality. I pray this will be the first one to be in error.”
Wynne gave Asilinn a hug then stepped back as if embarrassed by her display of affection. “You bear a greater burden than anyone can imagine. I'll tell no one of the babe until my laird knows. If there is anythin’ I can do to help you, please just ask.”
“Thank you, Wynne,” Asilinn murmured, feeling touched by the woman's sincerity. “When you go down would you find Skye and have her to come to my room. I have something important to discuss with her.”
“Certainly, Milady, I'll do it right away.” Wynne hurried off and Asilinn paced restlessly across the room.
If some intruder had found his way into the Dragon's Spring, did that mean she was no longer safe in her chamber? Could the villain who had invaded her privacy climb the hidden stairs and come in while she slept?
She moved over to check the secret door. Why did Jared have to rush off just now? Unbidden her vision flashed before her eyes with cruel clarity. By the time Skye knocked at the door, tears were streaming down Asilinn's face. If Jared died, she and her child were in grave danger. Fate had forced her alliance with Jared and now he was her only hope to protect her small son or daughter.
Skye burst into the room with her usual flourish. “What is it? Why are you crying, the vision?”
“Aye, I fear for Jared's life.”
“When will it happen? Perhaps we can prevent it.”
“I canna say. My visions come unbidden. I have a dream and… I can always tell when it is a special dream. Later it happens or sometimes I discover it is something that has happened in the past. There is no order or sequence. In truth, it is a curse more than a gift. It frightens me.” Asilinn hugged her own shoulders as a chill sent icy fingers through her veins.
“But Morven went with Jared. He wilna be alone. He'll be safe for now.”
“I pray that's the case. I fear our child will not be safe if Jared is killed.”
Skye’s eyes popped wide open. “You are with child?”
“I think so but Jared doesna know. I wanted to be sure before I told him.”
“I canna believe I know this before him.” Skye laughed. “Was this what you wished to discuss?”
“No, there's something else.” Asilinn hesitated, brushing away a few wisps of hair that had broken free to frame her face. “After you told me the way to the bath, I decided to use it yesterday. While I was bathing, someone snuck in. I dried off and heard a man moan. I called out and the intruder fled.”
Skye stared at Asilinn. “He saw you naked? Does Jared know?”
“I had no chance to tell him. Skye, who else knows the way to the bath? Am I safe in the tower? It would seem some intruder does. And the day I sought Jared out in the bath to talk Glenna was there when I arrived. Does she know of the secret passage as well?”
Skye rolled her eyes. “I believe there are two doors and one leads to the lower halls and the main spring where the rest of the warriors bathe. They are close together. Mayhaps the intruder and Glenna used the other door.”
“It is possible. I was too frightened to notice. I dinna know how Glenna came in because she was there when I arrived.”
“Jared usually leaves the one to the more public area locked from the inside, but if he came in from the stables it would have been open. Do you want to go and take a look?” Asilinn nodded her assent. Skye lit a torch from the fire and opened the secret doorway.
Asilinn grimaced, but she followed Skye into the passageway. The narrow staircase moved ever downward. While they went along Skye pointed out where various passages led. “This one goes to Jared’s work room,” she said, motioning to a narrow hall. Eventually they reached the bottom. “You see the door at the bottom hides it from view from the other side.”
Skye demonstrated showing Asilinn from the opposite side the entry to the secret staircase was totally obscured unless you knew of its existence. “I'm sure no one knows of this except you, me, and Jared,” she assured Asilinn. “It may be different with these other passages. The secret ones run in and out of more common areas.”
“I feel a little better,” Asilinn confessed. “I've used it myself, yet never considered how difficult it would be to find if you did not know it was there.”
They stood in a bigger hallway leading down to the two doors. Entering the bathing chamber, Skye showed Asilinn the other door leading to a main hallway. “It is my guess the intruder and Glenna came in and out this way and were not privy to the other entrance.”
“What of Glenna? Could Jared have shared the knowledge of the secret passage with her?”
Skye shook her head. “Jared was well aware Glenna shared herself with some of the other men. He would never have risked giving her the secret. She was a pastime, nothing more.”
“Where does the other door go?”
“Let's find out,” Skye suggested with a shrug. “I've never looked.”
They opened the other door. It ran into a long hall and eventually led them to a door to the outside. As they walked out, they found themselves in the service area near the stables.
Orienting herself, Asilinn allowed Skye to drag her over toward the barn.
“Come,” the girl said, “I'll introduce you to Flanna's husband, Fergus.”
Asilinn liked him immediately. Much like his wife he was easy to talk to and friendly. While they stood chatting with Fergus, Liam walked from the passageway they had just come through. Asilinn poked Skye, who stared in disbelief as several other warriors came from the passage.
“What is the problem ladies?” Fergus asked following their line of vision.
“I thought that way to the castle was secret,” Skye blurted out.
“No, Lady Skye, all of Laird Jared's warriors use it to go the Dragon's Spring. They troop in there dirty and tired and come out rested and refreshed. Some live in cottages and others are in the garrison rooms on the first floor of the castle near the armory.”
“Thank you, Fergus,” Asilinn said. “That information clarifies a few things for me.” That was how Jared must have taken her to the Dragon’s Spring from Liam’s cottage.
“Glad to be of help.”
A lanky lad not much older than Skye sauntered over. “Would you ladies like to see the new foal?” he asked. Skye's response was immediate, but Asilinn begged off.
“I'm not
feeling too well,” she explained. “And I just remembered I havena had a bite to eat. I'm going to find Flanna. You go ahead, Skye. I'll take the outside route.”
With an obliging smile, Skye followed the stable boy into the barn.
When Asilinn started for the main door of the castle, a tall figure loomed in her path. She looked up into the dark eyes of Liam MacLean. “I'll escort you back,” he offered. Liam was as tall as Jared was and almost as handsome in his own way. His midnight hair framed his face. It matched his penetrating, dark eyes. He was a little less threatening looking in the day light. “After the scene you caused in the courtyard, I want to be sure none of our superstitious people pelt you with rocks again.”
“From the looks of your head wound someone got you. Would you like me to take a look at it? I have some balms that would ease the swelling.”
He eyed her curiously. “Sounds wonderful,” he replied, falling in beside her while she made her way up toward the main structure. “Tell me, has Jared brought you around to his side now? You seem concerned about his safety.”
“I think you ask very personal questions,” Asilinn said, momentarily uneasy. He was too interested in her response.
“Have you forgotten it was I who found you fleeing from him?”
“You know I still question his motives.” Asilinn gave Liam a defiant look. “But I do fear for his life.”
“So it would seem,” Liam commented. He didn't speak again until they entered the kitchen and Asilinn sent Flanna to fetch one of her cures from the tower. “You are very lovely,” Liam whispered, when he took a seat on the bench by the table.
Asilinn was startled by the obvious intent of his remark. Glancing around she realized she was alone with him in the kitchen. She started to move away but he grabbed her hand and pulled her over beside him. His head was only inches from her breast. He gazed up into her eyes while his hand ran up her arm.
“You forget yourself! Let me go!”
Instead of obeying her, he stood and pulled her to him, lowering his head to seal his lips to hers in a probing kiss. Asilinn had never felt so assaulted. His tongue flicked roughly across her lips trying to get her to open for him. Pounding his chest with her fists, she struggled against him to no avail until he finally released her.
Asilinn spat on the floor at his feet and jumped away from him. “Why do you offend me and your laird with this monstrous behavior?” she railed. “Never take any liberties with me again or your life will be forfeit from your stupidity!”
Liam sank back to the bench. His jaw flexed in anger. “I only seek to repay Laird Jared's insult in kind.”
“What it is you think Jared has done to you? I would know. Was it you who watched me bathe in Jared's private chamber? Was that also part of getting even? Perhaps you are the traitor my husband seeks. He was very angry when he found it was you who caught me escaping.”
Liam looked surprised. “Someone watched you bathe?” He gave out a short laugh. “It was not me, though I can well imagine it was a wonderful sight.”
“Stop this!” Asilinn stamped her foot in frustration. “What do you have against my husband?”
“Ask him? See if the Laird of Dunbocan will tell you the sordid story,” Liam said. “Ask him if he remembers my Sarah.”
“I would hear it from you. Jared is not here to tell me.”
“Nor would he, I should imagine.” He studied her for a minute. “Mayhaps this is to be my revenge… to separate you from him with my tale.”
“Find your revenge and tell me. I canna wait for my husband to discover what caused your foul actions.”
He studied her for a moment, apparently having difficulty deciding whether or not to tell her. Leaning forward he began. “There is one thing I'll clarify right off. No matter what ill will I hold towards Laird Jared, he is my liege and I havena betrayed him or his cause. I am not the one he seeks. Do you believe that?”
“Time will tell, I suppose.”
Flanna came back into the room with the cure and Liam stopped talking abruptly. Taking the medicine from Flanna's outstretched hand, Asilinn applied it. All the while, she racked her brain for another errand to send the woman on so she might hear Liam's story in private. Toby came to the rescue when he burst through the door and begged a moment of his mother's time. Asilinn bid her go and turned again to face Liam.
“I'm waiting.”
“I envy my cousin his wife,” he said. “Seven years ago I was to marry a lovely girl named Sarah.” Liam's face twisted with pain at the mention of her name and Asilinn was confused by the torment she saw there. “Sarah grew up with Jared, Morven, and me after her parents were killed. We all loved her and I was surprised when she agreed to marry me. I was off in battle and Jared had just arrived home for his father's funeral. Sarah was here, at Dunbocan, waiting for my return.”
He stopped his dark eyes probing Asilinn. “Your husband took her to his bed. He raped her and took her virginity claiming it was his right as Laird of Dunbocan to have any woman he wished. I suppose he was jealous in his absence Sarah had chosen me instead of him. She was ashamed. She begged to stay with him so I wouldna know. He kept her here not allowing me to see her. A few months later she took her own life.”
Asilinn gaped at him in disbelief. “Jared wouldna do what you accuse him of,” she said evenly. “He did not force me on our wedding night and I had far more reason to be unwilling.”
“Would I lie about such a thing? You are the innocent who does not know your husband's sinful past,” he said. “He probably never told you of his first wife.”
“I’ve heard rumors.”
Flanna came back into the room and Asilinn stared silently at Liam for a full minute before he rose to leave. “Thank you for tending my wound, Lady Asilinn.” He walked past her out the door.
Asilinn knew an uneasiness she thought she had dispelled.
“Lady Asilinn, you have not eaten. Let me get you a plate,” Flanna offered.
Asilinn sank to the bench deep in thought until the food arrived. Drawn from her pensive stupor she began eating. “Flanna, is it the right of the Laird of Dunbocan to have any woman he wishes regardless of her betrothal?”
Flanna swallowed hard and looked at her mistress. “It is an old law. I hear some of the lairds still practice it but only the evil ones. They claim the right to take the maiden, pronounce her a virgin, and hand her over to her bridegroom.” Flanna sat down and scooted close to Asilinn. “They say it happened here once but I dinna know who was laird. When Laird Jared's father died and Jared was out of the country, others were in charge for a time. Jared came home and brought order to the clan. He restored the line.”
“Could Jared have done this?”
“I wasna here, Milady, but if it was Laird Jared who did this I'm sure he had a very good reason.”
The food went into a cold lump in Asilinn's stomach at the possibility. “You act as if this is acceptable.”
“Necessary for an alliance perhaps,” Flanna speculated. “There was great unrest when the old laird died.”
Asilinn remembered it well. That was when her father felt he was close to winning this blasted war. And then the new MacLean laird had solidified his power. Since Jared became laird, her father had suffered many defeats. Were Liam's accusations true?
“Liam said I am not Laird Jared's first wife.”
“He had an arranged marriage with a woman he had never met until their wedding day. Shortly after the ceremony the girl fell ill and died.”
“There must be more to the story than that,” Asilinn insisted.
“I heard the girl was in love with another man but her parents forced her to marry our laird because of the political advantage. Some say she drank poison but others say she died from the fever. She was with child when she died and it was rumored the babe wasna Laird Jared’s. Whatever happened, it was a very short marriage.”
Asilinn rose and paced the floor of the kitchen clutching her stomach. She carried his child. Was t
his innocent to be Jared's pawn?
“Lady Asilinn, please dinna tell Laird Jared I told you these things. I'm sure he would have told you himself if he thought them of any import.”
“I wilna mention it to Laird Jared,” Asilinn told her. Relief flooded Flanna's face. “Well, I have some things to attend to.” She wheeled on her heel and headed for the tower losing her meal to the chamber pot as soon as she arrived.
Asilinn sank to the bed her mind full of the scene that played out on her wedding night. Did Jared have an aversion to rape because of his experience with Sarah? Did his guilt from the night long ago reach out from the past and protect her from his cruel side?
And what of the first marriage, was he somehow involved in his first wife's death? She remembered the pain in Liam's eyes. Liam believed what he had told her. Who was she to trust?
Eventually exhaustion took over and she went to bed but her sleep was tortured with her vision of Jared's death and the awful stories Liam and Flanna had told her.
When Asilinn awoke the next morning, she determined to keep herself as busy as possible to avoid thinking about her problems. To that end, she volunteered to visit some of the peasants who supplied stores for the larder and discuss some possible improvement in keeping track of what each had to offer.
She made her way to the section of cottages and noticed a crowd drawn around a figure in a red cape. Getting closer she recognized the woman. It was Glenna. Not wishing another confrontation, she melted into the shadows. Aided by the simple gray cloak she wore she was able to hear what Glenna was saying to the group but blend into the fringes of the crowd.
“But Laird Jared seems very pleased with his new wife,” a grizzled old woman was saying.
“She has enchanted him with her witchcraft,” Glenna retorted. “Lady Asilinn is a powerful witch who has set out to ruin our people. Remember how she brought the dead back to life. The boy Toby had no life, yet now he is alive. Her own brother was as good as dead until she used her magic potion on him and now he is well enough to ride home. I tell you we must rise up and kill the witch to protect our laird from her spells!”
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