"Pray pardon. I did not think Constance knew the man."
"That matters not. Never underestimate her. She is brilliant… and soulless."
"But why would she go to all the trouble?"
"Revenge against me. Do you not remember when I killed Farquar, the guard, in a fair fight? Constance professed to love him, and now she intends to destroy… Anna." The woman he loved. Neacal shoved his fingers through his hair.
Damnation. His own cousin was the biggest traitor of all. And this daft piper was just the pawn she needed.
"You have been played, man," Neacal told him. "She used you to get the information she wanted."
Vardon shook his head, looking pained. "I never meant to hurt Anna or anyone. I just thought…"
"Aye, well, a lot of men fall for Constance's false charms. She kens how to get what she wants. You would be wise to stay away from her from now on." Neacal opened the door and waited.
Vardon hastened out of the room and, once he'd disappeared down the stairwell, Neacal headed to his own bedchamber. He knocked at the door. "'Tis me," he murmured to Anna through the wood. "I need to talk to you for a moment."
Anna unbarred the door and opened it. Her worried gaze searched his. "Is everything all right? Who was the guard chasing?"
"All is fine for the moment." Neacal closed the door and patted Dunn's head, trying to calm the whining, excited animal. "I strongly suspect it was Constance outside the door."
Anna's mouth dropped open. "Why? What was she doing?"
He shrugged. "Most likely planning to stab me in my sleep. Although I have no inkling how she planned to get past Dunn. Mayhap she was hoping the dog would ignore her since he's so accustomed to her being around. I have a question for you. Did you realize Vardon knows your true identity? Did you tell him?"
Her eyes rounded. "Nay! Of course not."
"Well, he just admitted to me that he told Constance, and I'm guessing she sent a missive to Blackburn. That explains why his men were in the area and at the tavern in the village."
"How did Vardon find out? And even if he did know, why would he betray me? I thought he was my friend."
"I don't think he realized how much it would hurt you. He figured Constance didn't know how to contact Blackburn. 'Tis plain to see he's smitten with Constance. She's been using him for information to get revenge against me because of Farquar's death. She knows I care for you. She's hoping Blackburn will take you away from me."
"Good heavens. I didn't know she was so vindictive."
"Aye. And she has never been the most rational person." He released a long tired breath. "I'm going back to speak with Constance again, and see if I can get any more information from her. After breakfast, I'll see the two clans off."
"Very well. Do you think 'tis safe for me to return to my room?"
"I'm not certain because I don't ken who might have been working with Constance. I'll have to find out who the messenger was who delivered the missive to Blackburn. Why not stay here and sleep until I return?" Neacal kissed her forehead and couldn't resist kissing her lips, too. He had so wanted to do far more than sleep while he had her in his bed, but that would have to wait.
"What if one of the servants wants in this room?" she asked. "I wouldn't want the elders to ken I'm sleeping here."
"I'll have Leith stand guard outside. He'll turn away any person who tries to get in here."
"Very well."
After kissing her again, Neacal returned to the library where Constance sat, no gag in her mouth as of yet. Her expression was blank. The room was silent as the others looked to him.
"You'd best hope that none of your MacDonald cousins die in the upcoming battle. Their blood will be on your hands."
"I'm not the one committing adultery," she said, smugness written on her face.
"Don't play the holier-than-thou role. 'Tis not convincing coming from you."
"You're a murderer and an adulterer. I don't have to play at anything."
He gave a humorless half grin. "Everyone kens I have never murdered anyone. As to Anna Douglas' marriage, 'tis a farce she was forced into. 'Twill be proven null and void. You think 'tis funny to bring more destruction to the MacDonald clan by leading the MacCromars here?"
