Angus gave a short laugh. “Your dungeons are full Laird Jared, where will you put them all?”
“We'll find room. Come, we have much to discuss. We'll need a few more witnesses to take along to Edinburgh.” Dragging Osred out of the room, they handed him over to Ross for safekeeping and retired to the great hall to discuss the plan to free Asilinn.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The journey had been long and tedious and Asilinn had seen to it that it took as much time as possible. She knew they were beginning to recognize her stall tactics for what they were, but their commander seemed reluctant to force her to a rapid pace. She took full advantage of her delicate condition, insisting on stopping every few hours in the hopes by some miracle her husband would come to save her.
They had just made camp for the evening a good two hours before they would have liked. Asilinn had feigned illness and the commander wouldn't deny her the rest she claimed to need.
Morven approached the man in charge. “You're coddling her. She seeks to slow you down so Laird Jared can come to rescue her.”
“Are you so anxious to see her burn?”
“Her trial is just the beginning. There is much more to come,” Morven confided. “I'm going to go and tell her you have made me hurry her along.”
“Robert the Bruce ordered no harm befall her until she is proven guilty,” the commander warned. “With any luck the English throne will soon recognize him as King of Scotland. I wouldna dare cross him. He has many allies.”
“Aye, Laird MacLean is one of them.” Morven paused, looking at the man. “Lady Asilinn is not to be tortured for a confession?”
“No, Robert protects her by his belief in her innocence. He is also friendly with her father and supports the peace treaty. He'll strive to protect her at every turn.”
“Damn,” Morven muttered.
***
Asilinn looked up to see Morven advancing towards her. She smiled at him. “I'm holding up rather well,” she said.
“Lady Asilinn, they recognize you seek to delay them with your pretense of illness,” Morven warned. “I fear they'll become rough with you if you dinna leave off this dallying and let them be on their way.”
Asilinn was crestfallen. “I thought you would support my efforts.”
“I would if they did not endanger you. Please be more cooperative. I wilna have you harmed because of your obstinacy. The sooner we get to Edinburgh, the sooner I may lobby with those in power for your release. Will you listen to me and become more agreeable?” Asilinn nodded. “Good,” he said. He turned and walked away.
“I dinna trust him,” Wynne murmured. “He's shifty-eyed. I think Laird Jared would approve of yer delaying these bastards. If there is a way, he'll come after you.”
Asilinn sighed. “I pray you are right,” she said. “But for now I will not delay them too much just in case Morven does know what he's talking about.”
Wynne shook her head in disgust. “Look how he laughs and talks with them. Dinna trust him too far.”
Asilinn gazed across to where Morven sat laughing with some of the soldiers. Wynne could be right. She closed her eyes as her heart called out for Jared.
***
It had been over a week. Asilinn was road-weary, but there was an excitement among the men and she knew something was up. The commander rode back to her and Wynne. “Lady Asilinn,” he said. “We'll be in Edinburgh by nightfall.” Asilinn shuddered at the announcement. Was she destined to die there or was her vision a true prediction of her future?
When they rounded the bend in the road, she was treated to her first view of Edinburgh Castle. It perched high above the cluster of houses which formed a town at its base. The castle sat on a sheer volcanic rock face. It dominated the surrounding landscape in its splendor. Had the circumstances been different, she might have enjoyed the sight before her. As it was, she trembled in anticipation of her fate.
They rode through the peasants and tradesmen conducting their business in the streets and headed up the hill towards the mighty fortress. Noticing Asilinn's bound hands, one of the peasants cried out. “What crime has this lovely creature committed?”
The commander turned to look into Asilinn's eyes. “She is a witch,” he said with conviction. “This is Lady Asilinn Innes MacLean. She is accused of witchcraft for bringing the dead to life, and enchanting her husband, the infamous Laird of Dunbocan Castle. Dinna look at her or she may enchant you with her beauty as well.”
A shocked cry rippled across the people. Some stared and pointed while others heeded the commander's advice and turned their heads away so Asilinn's beauty would not enchant them.
Asilinn tried to hold her head high and ignore the flurry of attention she was receiving, but she couldn't stop a single tear from rolling down her cheek. Wynne reached over and wiped it away.
“Laird Jared will come and save you,” she whispered to Asilinn. “As I live and breathe, I know he wilna fail you.” Asilinn looked across and gave the woman a tremulous smile.
Asilinn held up well until they arrived inside the final gate of Edinburgh Castle. Two guardsmen came forward and took her into custody, but stopped Wynne when she tried to accompany Asilinn. “She must go alone,” the guard said, pushing Wynne away. “There is room for you in the servant's quarters.” He pointed in the general direction Wynne was to take.
“I wish to accompany Lady Asilinn,” Wynne insisted.
“If you're crazy enough to want to sleep in the dungeon, you'll have to get permission,” the man replied, roughly shoving Wynne away.
Asilinn could hold back no longer. The tears she had held in so long burst forth—her sobs rent the air. Wynne began crying too. Soon the soldiers pried the two women apart. Asilinn wiped her face with her hands. She tried to compose herself as Wynne walked away.
“Come on,” the guard said. He grabbed Asilinn's arm and led her into the blackness of the dungeon. Her heart raced. She was all too familiar with the horrors of being locked up.
To her surprise, her cell was large with a relatively clean feather ticking in the corner and a supply of candles beside a single candlestick. Asilinn's face flooded with relief when she realized they were allowing her light.
“You must be one very special prisoner to get this royal treatment,” the guard commented. “Friends in high places?”
Asilinn's lip stiffened. “Undoubtedly King Robert himself, friend of my husband and my father,” she replied. The man looked surprised.
He leaned forward and ran his hand down across her face. “I canna recall the last person who was found innocent of witchcraft,” he told her.
With a short laugh, he turned and left her alone in the cold, stone cell. Exhausted she went over to the ticking in the corner and lay down, falling into a deep sleep.
Asilinn tossed restlessly on her bed, dimly aware of a soft fumbling with her clothing. Her eyes fluttered open to stare into Morven's black eyes. “Morven, what are you doing?” she cried. His hand rested intimately on her hip.
He straightened. “I—I only sought to wake you,” he stammered.
She sat up. “I think not! You touched me while I slept.”
“And you moaned and called his name,” Morven said. He sank back down on the bed beside her and reached over to caress her hair. “Oh, Asilinn, if I thought you could love me, mayhaps I could help you escape this fate.”
“You are my husband's cousin, his closest friend! How could you suggest such a thing?”
“I canna help my feelings. Once I had seen your creamy flesh, I could find no peace. You have haunted my dreams since the day in the Dragon's Spring. If you do not share my feelings, why did you not turn me in to your husband?”
“I did not see it was you,” Asilinn replied in a frightened whisper. “I love my husband. I will never share myself with another.”
His eyes turned cold. “I would have given up much to have you willing at my side.”
“Morven, you must try to put these feelings aside. Help me
find my freedom so I can bear Jared's child. I'll never tell anyone of this conversation and we shall remain friends.”
His cruel laugh ripped through Asilinn like a knife. “Why thank you, Lady Asilinn,” he scoffed. “But I plan to satisfy my lust before you turn to ash.”
Grasping his meaning, she sought to rise from the bed, but he threw her back and raked his hungry hands over her. She let out a loud shriek. “Scream all you want,” he said. “I have paid the guard to look the other way. Had you been more agreeable, this time could have been spent in escape, but I think you shall stay and receive your just reward, enchantress. That's what he calls you, is it not, his enchantress. Well, you shall enchant me this evening. Perhaps you will find me more to your liking and we may still strike a bargain, but I will test you first to see if you are worth the risk.”
“Why did you spy on me in the bath?” Asilinn asked, desperate to keep him talking.
“It was not my intent. I was checking out the area when you entered and I followed to see what you were about. When I saw the beauty of your naked flesh in the bath, I could not bring myself to turn away. I watched while you stood and presented me with a full view of your charms.”
His hand groped her breast as he recounted his tale. She shoved his hand away, but he snatched both of her hands in his larger one and pinned them above her head while he continued to tease her fullness with his free hand. “Your breasts are lovely, Asilinn,” he whispered. “All I wanted was to be a babe that I might be welcome to suckle.”
His breath was growing short while he enjoyed his fondling. His hand journeyed down to the juncture of her legs. “And this golden triangle of paradise, I wish to enter it.” He started to work on the clasps of her gown. “It can be as easy or as rough as you would have it,” he told her. “But I will savor your wares before I leave this cell.”
“No—No…." Asilinn gasped when his hand found her bare flesh. “Please dinna do this,” she begged.
His only answer was an angry snort. “You are not the first woman I have forced. You wilna be the last.”
“You raped and killed my mother?”
“Nay, Asilinn, it was another, but I believe your sweet flesh will be to my liking.” When he pinioned her arms above her head and dropped his head toward her breast, Asilinn let out a scream that would wake the dead.
There was a scuffling noise as the cell door opened. Morven raised his head to glare at the two guards who led Wynne into the cell. “Take her away,” he ordered. “I'm teaching this one a lesson.”
“Look,” Wynne cried. “I told you she was dangerous. She has enchanted him. If he but joins with her once, he will be her slave for life. You must save him from himself.”
The two guards let go of Wynne and pulled Morven off Asilinn. “What the hell,” he shouted. “The woman only seeks to save the girl!”
“See, he is already under her spell,” Wynne said. “You must get him away quickly before he is beyond hope. Why do you think they sent me here? It was to protect the guards from her charms.”
Thoroughly convinced of Wynne's sincerity, the guards dragged Morven from the cell kicking and screaming. Asilinn moved to cover herself from their gaping perusal. She flung herself into Wynne's arms as soon as they disappeared from view.
“Oh thank you, Wynne,” she gasped. “Your quick thinking has saved me.”
“Dear Lady Asilinn, I only hope my words dinna come back to haunt you at yer trial. I fear I've given your enemies more to use against you.”
“Jared will come and save me,” Asilinn assured her. “Even now he plots to bring me back to his arms.”
“I pray you are right,” Wynne murmured. “I've learned you are under the protection of Robert the Bruce until your trial. I am assured they wilna torture you for a confession, at least not until they have found you guilty. I fear Morven will strive to move up the date of the trial to avoid any last minute reprieve. I hope Laird Jared is on his way.”
“What can Morven gain by my death?” Asilinn asked.
“He will kill Jared's heir, nix the peace treaty, and discredit yer husband. If Jared were to be convicted of consorting with a witch, it is possible Morven will wind up with all the MacLean holdings. Your conviction would make that easier.”
Asilinn stared at Wynne. “When Jared first threw me over his shoulder and carried me down the sheer rock face abutting my father's castle, I knew I was in for a wild ride, but this boggles the mind.”
“And the two of you shall escape unscathed,” Wynne promised. “That is my premonition and I am never wrong.” Asilinn gave her a weak laugh.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The women of the whorehouse trembled with fear when they looked into Jared’s flashing green eyes. “I want all the red-haired women brought forward,” Jared demanded.
There was a pause and a single auburn-haired woman appeared. She was shoved to the front by her companions. Jared took her by the arm and led her outside so he could converse with her in private. This was the third brothel he had been in and he was losing hope of finding his elusive prey.
The woman smiled up at him. “Somethin' I could do fer you, Laird?” she asked, rubbing her body up against him. “I didna know you preferred red hair.” She lost her smile when he pushed her away.
“Do you wish to be accused of witchcraft?”
Her expression turned grim. “Nay, Milord,” she muttered. “That was none of my doin'. He would have killed me if I refused.”
A smile spread over Jared's face. “I'd like to hear the whole story. Leave nothing out.”
She shifted back and forth nervously. “Yer cousin Morven came to me and offered to pay me handsomely fer one night's service,” she said. “I could tell by his face I could ill afford to say no.” She paused and looked at her feet. “I would not like to burn at the stake.”
“If you help me by telling the truth, I will guarantee your safety,” Jared told her.
“He made me put on that awful mask and lie in a coffin. He told me I was to play dead until he awakened me with his lovemaking. I was real scared when those people were all standin' around chantin'. The bastard didna tell me I'd have to let each of them have a turn at me, but… he paid me well for my services.” She ventured a look into Jared's face. “I was afraid not to do his biddin'.”
“Pack a bag,” Jared directed. “You're coming to Edinburgh with me to testify at my wife's trial.”
“Oh no, Laird, they'll find me guilty for my part. I wilna go. I cannot.”
Jared's eyes hardened. “If you do not, my wife may die. You have no choice.”
“Aye, Milord,” she whispered, turning back toward the shabby establishment. “I'll get ready right away.”
Jared followed her. “I'll come along.” She grimaced and led him to the hovel that was her room.
***
“Why does he dally?” Liam asked. “We should have gone after Asilinn this morning.” He grabbed at the air in frustration.
“It appears you are rather taken with my daughter yourself. You criticize your laird in her defense,” Angus observed.
“And you sit idly by and await Jared's march to Edinburgh,” Liam said.
“Jared told me he had one more witness to find before we leave. He knows it is necessary to be prepared to defend Asilinn fully.” Angus paused. “That still does not explain your feelings.”
“I have my own reasons to distrust Laird Jared. Asilinn has become my friend. She loves him. For her sake, I pray he is worthy. I am not yet convinced.”
“Are you in love with her?”
“No,” Liam said. “My heart still belongs to the past.”
“My advice is to confront Laird Jared with your grievance. I have found he has been able to satisfy all my uneasiness with his forthrightness.”
“This is not the time.”
“There is never a perfect time. We dinna leave until tomorrow. Speak with him when he returns,” Angus advised.
“How can you be strong in this dark
hour?”
“Jared told me of Asilinn's vision of my grandchild being born in the tower room. I therefore must assume all this will pass.”
“I too have seen the power of Asilinn's gift. I'll pray you are right in your assumption.”
Angus went off to talk with Ian and Liam sat in a chair by the hearth. It was past time to confront Jared about Sarah. Why had he avoided it for so long? He knew the answer before his mind formed the question. If Jared admitted to the crime, it would be all Liam could do to keep from killing him. He scowled at the thought.
There was a commotion below when Jared arrived with his witness in tow. “Dinna let her out of your sight,” he told the guard.
Anxious to get to his wife's side, Jared chafed at waiting until morning. But to begin such a journey at this late hour would be foolhardy and Robert the Bruce had sent him a missive assuring Asilinn's safety until a verdict was reached. Wearily Jared walked up the stairs and entered the great hall in search of Angus and Ian.
He saw the lone figure by the fire and started to leave, then changed his mind and went over, sitting opposite his cousin. “We need to talk,” Jared said.
“Aye, Milord.”
“Jared will do nicely. This is not a formal meeting.”
“Perhaps it should be.”
“Bloody hell, haven't I had enough of your caustic tongue? Do you hate me so much because of Sarah? I never meant for any harm to befall her.”
Liam bolted from his chair and towered over Jared. “How can you sit there and calmly mention her name after what you did? She trusted you and you used her and cast her aside!”
Jared frowned. “I dinna understand your accusation. Exactly what do you think I did to Sarah?”
“You took her to your bed claiming your right as laird to assure her virginity. She couldn't live with the knowledge she had been unfaithful to me. She killed herself when you wouldna take her for your wife and make an honest woman of her.”
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