Una shook her head sharply, banishing the maudlin thoughts.She had work to do.A commission for the merchant's wife that needed finishing by week's end.Three yards of silk to embroider for Bella MacKinnon's new gown.And soon, the summer festival would begin, and her cousins would leave for Edinburgh for three months.
Three months of blessed freedom from their cutting remarks and passive cruelty.
Una allowed herself a small smile at that thought.
Let them go to court.She thought.Let them snare their noble husbands and live their pampered lives.She would be here, in Kyleakin, building a life that belonged to her and no one else.
And for Una Murray, that was more than enough.
***
Chapter 4
Edinburgh Castle
Cormac Stewart stoodbefore the king with his arms crossed, listening to a tale that grew more intriguing by the minute.
"Dowry thefts?"Cormac repeated.
"Aye, there have been several this past year, but the latest ones are more troublesome," King David replied.
"How do ye mean?"
The king leaned forward in his chair, his young face grave."Usually, I dinnae bother with such matters, but this gang has become more brazen.If they cannae get their hands on the dowry, they've taken to kidnapping the daughters of nobles and forcing payment for their release."
Cormac's expression was grim.He did not like the thought of any woman being at the mercy of unscrupulous men.His immediate thought was of his sister Nessa.He would kill any man who dared lay a finger on a member of his family.
"Whatever ye command, my men and I shall see to it."
The king lowered his voice so he would not be overheard."I need ye and yer men to patrol the main roads, and when ye find them, I want ye to join them."
"Your Majesty?"Cormac asked, his expression puzzled.
"I have word that they are being funded by a nobleman.I want to ken who it is, and there is no one better placed to find me that information than you."
Cormac absorbed that in silence.Then he nodded and lowered his voice."Ye have a traitor?"
