Something was going on. Was Constance trying to get information about Anna from her fellow minstrel? Did he know her true identity and that she was linked to Blackburn MacCromar? If so, that could be how Blackburn learned Anna's location.
Neacal muttered a curse.
The women's eyes widened.
"Begging your pardon, mistresses. If she's done what I think she has… damn her hide."
"What?" Tavia asked.
"I'd best not say until I ken for certain."
Loud screams echoed from down the corridor. Neacal opened the door. Matthew and Dugan carried a yelling, writhing Constance into the room and Neacal slammed the door shut.
"Constance!" he said. "They're going to put you down and you're going to sit on this chair."
"Go to hell!"
"Do you want a gag tied in your mouth?"
"You've already had your men tie me up, so why not?" she yelled, but she looked more furious than afraid. "How dare you treat your own cousin this way?"
She calmed and the men set her on the wooden chair.
"Got caught, aye?" he asked.
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm certain you know. And I know what you've been up to."
She narrowed her eyes, sending him a direct glare. "Indeed? What have I been up to then?"
Rage crawled through Neacal. He needed facts or a witness before he openly accused her.
"Smell her," he told Leith.
"What?" Constance squawked.
The bodyguard cautiously drew closer to her and bent over, sniffing loudly. Constance tried to draw away, but Matthew held her in place.
"Get a good whiff," Neacal said.
Leith sniffed a few more times, near her neck and hair. "Aye, that's the scent. Roses."
Constance glared icy daggers at each of them. "Are the lot of you mad?"
"What were you doing outside my bedchamber door a quarter hour ago?"
"I wasn't outside your door. 'Tis absurd."
Neacal lifted a brow. "I knew you would deny it." He turned to the other women. "Tavia, Mistress, search her for weapons."
"What!" Constance struggled to push herself from the chair.
"Guards, hold her arms and legs so she doesn't hurt the women."
Matthew and Dugan restrained her.
"I'm sorry, miss, but I must do as the chief bids," Tavia said.
