At last, he straightened. “If ye will excuse me,” he said, his tone controlled, “I must have a word with the council.”
The council chamber was silent when James entered, the men already gathered and waiting. Gregory stood among them, his expression wary as James took his place at the head of the table.
“Miss Eloise fell ill,” James said evenly. “Orick suspects she was poisoned.”
A ripple of shock moved through the room.
“Poisoned?” one man exclaimed. “Surely nae…”
“Aye,” James cut in sharply. “Poisoned. If any of ye wish to confess to taking part in this, I may show ye mercy for coming forward.”
A gasp moved over the men.
“Surely ye daenae suspect the council would do such a thing, me Laird?” Gregory asked.
James’s gaze locked onto him. “I ken that the council didnae want me to wed her,” he said. “Ye wished me to take a bride of alliance. A daughter of power.”
Gregory swallowed. “That is true,” he admitted carefully. “But we would nae stoop to such dishonor Miss Eloise has proven a worthy bride. The clan loves her.”
James began to move then, slow and deliberate, circling the table like a predator. His eyes passed over each man in turn.
“And yet,” he said quietly, “here we are.”
“Nay one here would harm a woman under yer protection,” another councilman said quickly.
James stopped behind him, close enough that the man stiffened. “Then who would?” James asked, his voice low and dangerous.
Silence fell.
James resumed his pacing, his boots echoing against the stone floor. “If anyone here wishes to speak?”
No one answered.
Gregory cleared his throat. “Ye must consider other possibilities,” he said. “An accident, perhaps. Or an outsider coming into the castle undetected.”
James turned sharply, his eyes flashing. “There are nae accidents,” he said coldly.
The tension in the room thickened, pressing down on every man present. James stopped at the head of the table once more, his hands braced against it as he leaned forward.
“Hear me well,” he said, his voice cutting through the silence. “If someone within these walls has done this… I will find them.”
No one dared speak.
James straightened slowly, his gaze sweeping the room one final time. And though he said nothing more, the promise in his eyes was unmistakable.
Three days had passed, and Eloise walked the castle corridors once more with strength returned to her step, though her thoughts remained restless. Her fingers trailed lightly along the cool stone walls as she moved, her mind circling questions she could not settle.
“It makes nay sense,” she murmured under her breath. “Why would anyone wish to poison me?” Her brows knit together as she continued, pacing slowly.
“Nay… it must have been a mistake. Aye, that is all it was.”
She stopped near a narrow window, gazing out across the hills.
“Herbs can be confused,” she said softly to herself. “Dried leaves all look the same if one isnae careful.” She let out a small breath, as though convincing herself. “Mairi would never harm me… nor Fiona… nor anyone here.”
Still, unease lingered, threading through her thoughts despite her reasoning. “It was an accident,” she repeated firmly, though her voice lacked certainty.
Without realizing it, her wandering steps led her into an unfamiliar part of the castle. The corridors grew quieter, less traveled, the air carrying a faint stillness as though time itself had slowed there.
