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Authors: Terry Spear
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from the king for you, he asked if I would deliver this as well.”
Malcolm shoved the other in his purse, then opened the vellum from Henry. Reading the missive to himself, he felt his brothers’ breaths on his neck while they read over his shoulders.
Your Grace, Lady Anice’s treasurer has been found dead in the River Arun, his head severed from his body. We have found no signs of the other men.
The news couldn’t have come at a worse time. Malcolm reread the missive, hoping it would give him some clue as to what had happened.
Dougald rested his hand on his shoulder. “This is not good news, Malcolm. I worried there was foul play, but this appears to prove it so.”
“Aye, mayhap this is why the king requested us to do the job. As Highland warriors we will be able to handle more than just the administrative details of the castle.”
“And the lady?” Angus asked, his voice worried.
Malcolm slapped his shoulder. “We will be like her kinsman, watching out for her should anyone attempt her harm.”
He glanced in the direction of her chamber and saw her standing outside her door, staring at him. Whatever was she doing, barefooted, her golden red hair hanging to her knees as if she’d just fallen out of bed? His eyes shifted to the green robe she wore, and he imagined only a sheer shift beneath this, which would barely conceal her bountiful treasures. What was she doing standing there, looking like a woodland nymph in search of a man to bed her, asking for trouble?
Glancing down at the vellum he gripped tightly in his fist, he cleared his throat. Had she heard their words concerning the new crisis at hand?
Her green eyes were round as her gaze took in the message, then returned to his. He had not wished to concern her before she retired to bed. Plenty of rest is what she required. On the morrow would be soon enough to tell her the news.
She stalked toward him, concern etched in the wrinkle of her brow, her eyes now narrowed.
So much for telling her on the morrow.
Chapter Four
Anice’s heart pounded in her throat as the new premonition of ill tidings had forewarned her of further trouble at Brecken Castle. What news had Malcolm received that prompted his and his brothers’ comments? That foul play was involved? That men who had served in battle were considered necessary to fill her staff positions to protect her if need be?
The look on Malcolm’s face indicated he’d had no intention of telling her what they had learned. Her head pounded with fury that he thought he could withhold information concerning her business. If it had to do with her land, her people, she had every right to know.
She warned herself that no matter the news she learned, she must not wilt again or everyone would think she had no fortitude. Which just was not so! ‘Twas a shock to hear the news about her missing staff. Anyone in her situation would have been as upset.
Intent on getting the worry over, she stalked toward Malcolm. Gritting her teeth, she fought the quiver in her jaw. The men on her staff had been her uncle’s favorites, and they had treated her well when he had died. She had no wish to hear ill news about any of them.
“Milady,” Malcolm said, bowing low.
His voice was soothing and concerned. Did he worry she’d collapse in front of him as before? She would not this time. Never before had she done anything so ridiculous. This time she could handle the news because whatever word he had would not be such a surprise.
“Mayhap you should return to your chambers and rest for tomorrow’s journey.”
Instantly angered, she snapped, “What news have you from my castle?” She hadn’t meant for her question to be so sharp, but her new steward would not coddle her. If she were to retire now without knowing what had transpired, she would fret the rest of the eve away, imagining the worst sort of things. Better to get the matter cleared up
Malcolm shoved the other in his purse, then opened the vellum from Henry. Reading the missive to himself, he felt his brothers’ breaths on his neck while they read over his shoulders.
Your Grace, Lady Anice’s treasurer has been found dead in the River Arun, his head severed from his body. We have found no signs of the other men.
The news couldn’t have come at a worse time. Malcolm reread the missive, hoping it would give him some clue as to what had happened.
Dougald rested his hand on his shoulder. “This is not good news, Malcolm. I worried there was foul play, but this appears to prove it so.”
“Aye, mayhap this is why the king requested us to do the job. As Highland warriors we will be able to handle more than just the administrative details of the castle.”
“And the lady?” Angus asked, his voice worried.
Malcolm slapped his shoulder. “We will be like her kinsman, watching out for her should anyone attempt her harm.”
He glanced in the direction of her chamber and saw her standing outside her door, staring at him. Whatever was she doing, barefooted, her golden red hair hanging to her knees as if she’d just fallen out of bed? His eyes shifted to the green robe she wore, and he imagined only a sheer shift beneath this, which would barely conceal her bountiful treasures. What was she doing standing there, looking like a woodland nymph in search of a man to bed her, asking for trouble?
Glancing down at the vellum he gripped tightly in his fist, he cleared his throat. Had she heard their words concerning the new crisis at hand?
Her green eyes were round as her gaze took in the message, then returned to his. He had not wished to concern her before she retired to bed. Plenty of rest is what she required. On the morrow would be soon enough to tell her the news.
She stalked toward him, concern etched in the wrinkle of her brow, her eyes now narrowed.
So much for telling her on the morrow.
Chapter Four
Anice’s heart pounded in her throat as the new premonition of ill tidings had forewarned her of further trouble at Brecken Castle. What news had Malcolm received that prompted his and his brothers’ comments? That foul play was involved? That men who had served in battle were considered necessary to fill her staff positions to protect her if need be?
The look on Malcolm’s face indicated he’d had no intention of telling her what they had learned. Her head pounded with fury that he thought he could withhold information concerning her business. If it had to do with her land, her people, she had every right to know.
She warned herself that no matter the news she learned, she must not wilt again or everyone would think she had no fortitude. Which just was not so! ‘Twas a shock to hear the news about her missing staff. Anyone in her situation would have been as upset.
Intent on getting the worry over, she stalked toward Malcolm. Gritting her teeth, she fought the quiver in her jaw. The men on her staff had been her uncle’s favorites, and they had treated her well when he had died. She had no wish to hear ill news about any of them.
“Milady,” Malcolm said, bowing low.
His voice was soothing and concerned. Did he worry she’d collapse in front of him as before? She would not this time. Never before had she done anything so ridiculous. This time she could handle the news because whatever word he had would not be such a surprise.
“Mayhap you should return to your chambers and rest for tomorrow’s journey.”
Instantly angered, she snapped, “What news have you from my castle?” She hadn’t meant for her question to be so sharp, but her new steward would not coddle her. If she were to retire now without knowing what had transpired, she would fret the rest of the eve away, imagining the worst sort of things. Better to get the matter cleared up
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