Deirdre felt the guilt would drown her, thinking on how she’d almost forced her sister to wed a man who had plotted to kill King Alexander. But Maggie could not have known any of this. So why had she fled? Because she’d sensed Bellecote’s wickedness, whereas Deirdre had turned a blind eye? Likely. And that truth made Deirdre numb.
Algien looked behind him suddenly, as if to ensure his guards were still busy.
“They’re some ways away,” she said, waving toward his men and praying Algien did not see how her hand trembled.
He gave a quick nod. “They don’t know, of course. They simply follow my orders.”
“Of course,” she replied, unease unfurling in her belly. Algien believed she had been a willing conspirator in King Alexander’s death, and he wanted to wed her. What was she going to do?
Escape.
What other choice was there? She had to flee and find her sister.
“Our wedding is to take place at the king’s court,” Algien said, matter-of-fact. “I’ve been in discussion with the Scottish council for some time, ever since we learned of my father’s death and your sister’s betrayal.”
“I do nae understand,” Deirdre said. “I thought they just learned what happened with my sister and yer father.”
“The queen just learned of it, andyoujust learned of it, but thosewho matterhave known,” Algien replied with no hint of remorse.
The realization that the Scottish council had known her sister had fled and had kept it from Deirdre slammed into her. Snakes… Deceitful snakes. And they’d kept it from the queen, too. Queen Yolande was a piece to be moved just as Deirdre was.
“Coming to an agreement took longer than Bishop Cuthbert and I anticipated,” Algien said. Deirdre clenched her teeth. She’d known the bishop was not to be trusted. The man was in league with Algien.
“It was,” Algien continued, “supposed to be September, but obviously that has been delayed. King Edward won’t be there, I’m afraid, but we have his blessing, which my father had procured before he died, given I was to wed you as part of the bargain he struck with your brother. I’ve written to King Edward several times to keep him informed of everything.”
Deirdre pressed her cold lips together. This man, this selfish, conniving man did not deserve Lochlavine. Besides, it was Maggie’s inheritance, not Deirdre’s.
Algien took the wine skin from Deirdre, which she had been clutching absently in her hand. He took a long drink, a trail of dark-ruby wine dribbling from his lips. He was a predator, but who was his ultimate prey? His gaze fixed on her, probing. “You will be useful to me.”
There was no mistaking the veiled threat in his voice. What were they trying to do? Why had they killed King Alexander? The only answer she could come up with was that King Edward wanted to control Scotland.
Heaven above, he wants the throne. It can nae be!
Her heart thudded as she considered what to say. She forced herself to reach toward Algien, though she wanted to recoil. She placed her hand on top of his smooth, cold one. “Of course I can be useful to ye, my lord,” she lied, relieved her voice did not tremble. Inside, she quaked. “Simply tell me what ye would have me do, and I will do it.”
“When the time comes, after we are wed, I will send you back to Kinghorn, to the Scots.” The distaste for her countrymen in his tone shocked her. “You will be King Edward’s eyes and ears there to influence things as he wishes. You will help to chart the path of history.” He squeezed her hand with such force that she winced. “You won’t disappoint me,” he finished, his tone low but razor-sharp.
“Nay, my lord.” She had to escape and warn someone, but who would believe her? Who would believe Yearger had used her, that she had not known what he was doing?
The woods suddenly seemed darker, the air even colder, the creatures of the night louder. She wished she were a little girl again and that her father were alive. She’d crawl onto his lap, and he’d protect her. But she was not a child, and her father was long gone. There was no one to protect her but herself.
Algien rose suddenly, drawing her up with him, his grip firm on her hand. He pulled her close while exhaling and garlic wafted from his breath. She wrinkled her nose. “Your brother disappointed me, but all will end well. I will acquire Castle Lochlavine as my father would have,” he said, looking thoughtful.
Bile rose in Deirdre’s throat. She swallowed, forcing herself to concentrate. Her life may well depend on it. “Of course,” she said, clearing her throat when the words came out as little more than a whisper. She knew why he wanted to wed her and why his father had wanted to wed Maggie—Castle Lochlavine.
Maggie… Oh, Maggie, how I wronged you.
Her eyes burned with the need to cry, but she blinked until they felt dry once more.
Algien cupped the back of her neck in a tight hold. “I fail to see how hard it could have been to kill Lady Shona.” Algien’s eyes flashed with ire. “Can you comprehend it?”
“Nay,” she breathed out, her pulse racing. “My brother was foolish.”
“Yes, he was. He failed in his duty to kill Lady Shona after the king read the note. He tried and he failed, and he managed to let Grace MacKinnish, who was our only hope to draw Lady Shona out, escape his clutches.”
Fear spread its great big black wings and wrapped them around her. Her nails bit into the skin of her palm, making her realize she’d inadvertently curled her hands into fists. She unclenched them with haste. “It is hard to comprehend, my lord,” she managed but could not get her tone above a threadbare whisper.
His ferocious expression softened, and he gave her neck a squeeze. Revulsion roiled through her. “No matter, no matter,” he said. “Even if both MacKinnish women are back in the bosom of their family, they have no proof that any missive was ever forged from Queen Yolande to King Alexander. Still…” He cocked his head in obvious thought. “Still, both women must die. Lady Grace’s escape from your brother confirms that Lady Shona told her what had occurred. That or Lady Grace merely suspects something nefarious. Did you see either lady the night of the king’s death?”
