Page 73 of Bride of the Sinful Laird
She leveled her gaze at him. “There was naebody in the solar when I passed on me way tae me bedchamber.”
“Methinks yer memory is poor, Tyra, if it’s slipped yer mind that ye saw me there.”
“Me memory is clear, Harris. Ye were nae in the solar. I ken fer I was looking fer Lady Annora.”
Edmund and Lionel exchanged disbelieving looks, while Tormod was shaking his head.
“Mayhap we shall speak more of this later, Laird MacDonald. Yer whereabouts during the raid are of great concern tae me.”
MacDonald’s face was mottled red and he was biting his bottom lip looking angrily at Tyra. It was clear to Edmund he’d been expecting her to confirm his story.
Edmund cleared his throat loudly and all eyes turned to him.
“Chief Tormod, I wish tae consult wi’ ye alone regarding several serious matters. I beg an audience wi’ ye as soon as ye are free.”
This was greeted with a loud harumphing from MacDonald. He opened his mouth to speak, but Tormod silenced him with a raised hand.
“I am happy tae talk wi’ ye as soon as this meeting is done with, Edmund. But first, I’d like tae hear from Lionel about the enquiries he has made.”
“I have spoken wi’ several of the guards, but as yet I have little information. The lads I’ve talk wi’ seem tae think the purpose of the raid was not robbery, but tae set fires and cause disarray. I will report tae ye when I hear more. Especially if information about a traitor comes tae light.” He looked pointedly at Harris when he said this and paused, watching the man squirm.
“Me thanks Lionel.” Tormod turned to the others. “Now, if ye’ll excuse me, I wish tae meet with Edmund.”
Once they were alone, Edmund rose, walked to the door and looked outside. He would not have been surprised to discover an eavesdropper crouching there, however, there was no one present in the passageway outside the solar.
After making sure the door was firmly closed, he resumed his seat beside Tormod.
“Speak lad. What is it ye wish tae tell me that is fer nay other’s ears?”
Edmund related Annora’s story of the locked door and what she had heard as the raiders went about setting the room on fire. “I believe there was a deliberate intention tae bring serious harm tae the lady. If nae worse.”
Tormod blanched. “Go on, lad.”
“I am convinced there was a previous attempt on her life.” He gave Tormod the details of the stone that had descended so mysteriously and Annora’s near miss. “According tae the stonemason, the stone was nae from the castle.”
Tormod took a deep breath and blew it out in a long sigh. “These are serious matters Edmund. Dae ye have any idea who may wish the lady harm?”
“I think ye’d nae be surprised tae see me finger pointing at the Laird MacDonald. He’s made it nay secret that he wishes Tyra tae take the lairdship over me. Mayhap he believes that if me lady is nay more, I will depart Scorrybreac and leave it tae him.”
Tormod nodded. “Aye. And that would put MacDonald in charge of the clan. Tyra is so besotted wi’ the lad, she will dae whatever he asks of her.”
“And that brings me tae the chief reason I wished tae speak wi’ ye alone. I have made me mind up about the lairdship.”He flashed a grin. “And I would like tae meet wi’ the Elders tomorrow morning tae give them me answer.”
Tormod’s face lit up. He reached over to give Edmund’s shoulder a slap. “This is good news indeed. It is well past time the lairdship was decided. Especially in the light of what we both suspect about Harris.”
Tormod reached for Edmund’s hand and shook it. “Tomorrow, we’ll meet in the study as soon as we’ve broken our fast. I’ll make sure the others are present.” He beamed at Edmund. “I pray there is good news amongst all the grief and horror today has brought us.”
They got to their feet and walked across to the door.
As Edmund turned to go, Tormod called, “Please pass on me best wishes tae the Lady Annora fer her speedy recovery.”
When he returned to their bedchamber Edmund was delighted to find Annora in her night shift, combing her hair by the fireside. She was wrapped in her fur cloak, her feet tucked into a pair of cozy woolen socks.
She looked up and smiled when he walked in, adding only the faintest of coughs.
“Come sit by me and tell me of yer meeting.” Her voice was still husky, but the color had returned to her cheeks and her grayeyes held their usual sparkle. She reached a hand and clasped his as he took the adjoining chair.
“Ah lass.” He took the seat next to hers, his heart delighting at the sight of her looking so well. “’Tis happy I am tae see the glow in yer face again.”
