Edmund lifted his head, bringing her abruptly back to earth.
“By all the fallen angels, who is the demon who disturbs this bliss.” He groaned, loudly. “Who comes?” he shouted.
“MacLaren,” came the reply in Lionel’s voice, sounding altogether too robust and normal for such a dramatic moment.
She wriggled off Edmund’s knee and he wearily rose to his feet, the giant bulge in his britches impossible to disguise.
“Come,” he called, reaching for his shirt. He shrugged it on as Lionel strode through the door into the chamber. He looked at them both and had the good grace to look slightly embarrassed, but he quickly averted his eyes while Annora did her best to tidy her hair and Edmund laced up his shirt.
“Dae sit down, Lionel,” she said, trying to sound welcoming when part of her was screaming ‘nay, nay, nay,’ at his intrusion.
Edmund went across to the shelf at the side of the room, took down three glasses and poured them each a dram of whisky.
Annora took hers eagerly. One mouthful of the burning, peaty, liquid would settle her nerves. She lifted the glass and swallowed without so much as a cough. Then she took another sip.
“I hope I’m nae intruding,” Lionel said.
Edmund shook his head, glancing at Annora. “Aye lad, ye did intrude and I trust ye’ve got a good enough reason fer it,” he said gruffly, gesturing to a seat before the fireside.
Lionel settled into his chair, frowning. “If ye wish me tae leave ye…?”
“Nay lad. Tell us what brings ye here.”
“First, I didnae expect I’d be intruding, given that I ken ye’ve just returned from the infirmary...”
“’Tis naught but a wee scratch and ye ken that’s so.” Edmund gave a short laugh. “Now, what is it that brings ye?”
Lionel cleared his throat. “I am coming to the idea that Castle Scorrybreac isnae a friendly place fer us.” He took another sip.
“The Laird MacDonald made that clear enough this morning.” Edmund splashed another two fingers into their glasses.
“I cannae pretend I’m surprised. We ken yer presence here is a threat to his plans to take over the clan.”
“So, dae ye consider his behavior this morning tae be a deliberate assault on ye,” Lionel asked, his brow creased, his eyes anxious.
Edmund shrugged. “’Tis impossible fer me tae say. I dinnae ken if he would be so foolish as tae display his hand like that. Yet it seems his rage may have spilled over so that he couldnae hide himself.”
Lionel nodded, looking thoughtful. “But, fer all that, ‘tis nay the reason I have come tae disturb the peace of yer time together.” His lips quirked in a smirk. “There is something else I need tae discuss.”
“Aye, and the Lady Annora needs yer attention also.”
Annora nodded, a slight wave of nausea washing over her as she relayed details of the stone that had fallen and almost crushed her. “And the stonemason is certain it is nae from the castle but from outside.”
Lionel nodded slowly. “So, I cannae think it is aught but an attempt on the Lady Annora’s life. Just as it is possible tae consider Harris MacDonald’s actions could have cost Edmund’s life.”
Edmund shook his head. “But we dinnae ken MacDonald’s intentions. And we’re none the wiser as tae who may have dropped the rock that was, mayhap, intended fer Annora.”
“So, there’s aught we can dae about it as we’ve nay proof of misdeeds by MacDonald.”
Lionel ran his fingers through his hair and put down his empty glass. “There’s more.”
Both Annora and Edmund looked up at once, Annora’s heartbeat jumped Lionel’s ominous words.
“Me men came tae me this morning after our sparring match with the news that they had found signs of tampering with the western gate near the stables. It seems the iron bars on beside the gate had been bent. It was hardly noticeable, but when they tested it with one of the wee stable grooms, they found the lad could squeeze through.”
Annora gasped. “What daes all this mean?” She looked at Edmund but he simply gave a slight nod, looking as puzzled as she felt.
“My men and the men of Scorrybreac in whom they confided, seemed tae think the bars had been bent tae allow entry tae the castle. A small lad, once inside, could pull back the latch holding the side gate. Once it is opened, they could haul open the large western gate from the inside.”
