Page 27 of Keepers of the Highland Crown
“Step to the passageway, DIRECTLY! Or your heads shall be on a spike by the drawbridge at dawn!”
Once the solar was deserted with the exception of her, Brayden, and Callum, whose hand still held the laird’s arm like an iron shackle, her knight began again. “Tell me where the concealed passage leads to from your spence beneath the kitchens.” She peeked around Callum’s arm. There in his hand was a signet ring bearing the king’s crest. Ah, that was the reason.
“A wee loch east of where we stand.”
Callum looked toward Brayden. “Sir Brayden.”
“Aye.” Brayden nodded then vanished from the solar.
“Sir Brayden?” the laird asked, wide eyed.
“You did not believe one carrying a signet belonging to our Lord King Alexander was a mere warrior?” The laird’s mouth gapped wide like a rat’s burrow. “For one of your standing not only are you cruel but daft as well. Aye, ’tis Sir Brayden as you address the captain of his guard. Sir Callum MacCade, a Highlander, not a lowlander like those you are currently sealing an alliance with in the chambers beyond. There was a purpose how this enemy to the crown knew of your passage for his escape, in your ‘months of planning’. You are going to tell me any and all who knew about this secret doorway. Once done and we take leave of this keep, you and that fleshy finger of yours shall never unleash another cross word toward a lady again. Including your wife, Lady Alaina. To strike against this demand is a strike against the king, and the full weight of the crown will crash uponyourshoulders. Nor shall you speak a word about my purpose before you in our lordking’s name. Have we an understanding with an accord or must a further demonstration be made?” Callum’s knuckles became white as Highland mountain tops after his grip tightened.
“We have an accord,” the laird groveled with a dark glare.
“Then let us commence once more. Who held the knowledge regarding the passageway?”
***
The laird was lucky to keep his hand.As Callum turned the corner headed back toward Nella’s chambers, the gentle rustle by her gown’s skirts at her silent stride was the only sound other than torches hissing same as the bastard they had not grown any closer in uncovering after questioning the laird. Aye, he could have snapped the laird’s hefty wrist after the sight of the laird preparing to threaten his Nella… His? She would never…
“Callum?” Her tiny murmur broke his thoughts. She sounded panicked.His feet nailed onto the floorboards outside her bedchamber’s door.
“Nella, what troubles you?”
“There…” She tilted her head a breath more before her lashes burst wide. “There is another in my chamber. I am harkening to a wide step by someone within who just sat at the chair which scraped a wee bit.”
Another voice hailed him from around the corner with a dire expression which approached them. “The passageway was there, but nae one was present.”
A grind in steel against leather aired when Callum drew his sword. Sir Brayden’s brisk step matched his palm reaching for his own sword’s hilt at Callum’s action.
“Brayden, a stranger is residing in Nella’s chambers,” Callum explained in a low tone. “Stay watch over my lady.”
Brayden answered silently by taking his stance at once before her. Who the hell was in her chamber? It could be oneof the pair sent after Lord Kolson, or Lord Kolson or Hiss. Whomever it was meant to ambush Nella. Kill the stranger first? Nella’s features bore a frightened look up at him. No. Question the stranger, piece by most painful piece, then slay him.
Possibly weapons which may be present in the stranger’s arsenal. Crossbow? Naw, the chamber wasn’t large enough to get the momentum for a bolt to penetrate chainmail nor flesh. Arrow? Possibly. Rip the door open then leap right. Sword? His own hand tightened on the leather hilt. Not his strongest weapon like the bow but strong enough to best any in his guard. He lowered his stance for the dodge right with one final look at Brayden, who shielded Nella down the passageway.
“If I fall, you take her from here at once and keep her safe.”
“Callum.” Nella’s tone was weighed by protest. “Nae.” Again, she would not leave him. Why? Was it more than Abbot and Abbess as she had said?
He looked at his guardsman. “Brayden.” Any jest was gone; his friend’s stare had turned flinty while he nodded.
A long inhale filled his lungs as he reached for the door. Cold iron met his palm. Now!Slam!The door swung open same as a whip cracking the wall. The fire to lunge in his thighs turned to ice as he froze.
“Sir Callum MacCade, you do not disappoint. Forever the staunch mannerly knight, keeping the lady safe by securing her chamber first.”
Chapter 14
Lord Kolson! Nella would know the brash sound signature anywhere. Two steps the braggart popped into view seated at the table sipping a goblet of wine. How did he know Callum’s title? There was no way possible for the laird to bequeath this information at the mere moments they had just left his solar.
The Northman’s eyes focused on her beyond Callum. “Aww, there is the spirited beauty. Please join me, Lady Fawnella. There is much to speak of. Commencing with who is the rotund guardsman flanking you and Sir Callum at each step.”
“The lady remains where she is near Sir Brayden till you state your purpose and who you are, Lord Kolson.” Her eyes narrowed at the broad back which faced her. Who had named Callum her keeper?
“Ah-ah, Sir Callum.” Holger flashed a grin. “The spirit rears its lovely head. An expression most unenchanted shadows behind you from the lady.”What a Northern arse.
She raised her chin. “Do you wish to declare the purpose you linger in my chamber or simply sip wine while throwing insults?”
