Page 53 of Leila’s Legacy

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Niall remained at Leila’s side for as long as he dared and spent the time holding her in his arms as they spoke of their lives. Each was careful to avoid any talk of the future.

Lord Armstrong awaited Niall’s answer and that knowledge lingered in the back of Niall’s mind. He ran his fingertip over Leila’s slender waist. “I must return to Lord Armstrong and tell him ye’re no’ a witch.”

Leila frowned slightly. “He won’t believe you.”

Niall studied her carefully, putting weight to her words. “Did ye have a vision of it?”

“Don’t you do that now too.” Leila sat up in the bed and drew the sheets over her beautiful breasts. “Everyone thinks everything I say has to do with a vision. Some things do not require the sight to know. Like Lord Armstrong’s dislike for me, his underlying hatred of my father, and his need to cast blame at someone’s feet for the death of his people.”

“I am his deputy because he wants a man who is honorable working with him.” Niall caressed her face and tilted her chin up to better see her lovely face. “He will listen to me.”

Leila turned her gaze from his and he knew she did not agree with what he said. She would see Lord Armstrong’s fairness. While Niall had not agreed with Leila’s captivity, he knew the Scottish earl would weigh on the side of fairness and justice.

Niall brushed his lips against Leila’s in a tender, sweet kiss. One chaste enough not to lure him back into her arms. He dragged himself from her bed and pulled his discarded clothing from the floor to dress.

She followed suit, donning her chemise and the kirtle over it. He helped lace up her back, kissed her once more and made his regretful departure. Despite his words of comfort to Leila, however, he found his pulse quickening with trepidation the closer he came to the great hall.

The earl stood by the hearth with his hands extended toward the fire and two hulking, wiry-haired dogs at his side. “’Tis cold as sin in this castle,” he groused.

It was colder in the tower where Leila was being held, but Niall did not dare say such a thing. “I’ve spoken with Lady Leila regarding the charges of witchcraft.” His heart slammed so hard as he spoke, the earl could probably hear his ribs rattling.

Lord Armstrong didn’t bother to turn his head to look at him. “And?”

“She’s no’ a witch.”

At this, Lord Armstrong did turn toward Niall. “Nay? Ye were once so certain of her engagement in witchcraft and now you deem her innocent. Ye asked her the questions ye were given?”

Regret knotted in Niall’s stomach. He wished he could take back those early words of certainty that Leila was a witch. Despite her ability to see into the future and the past, he couldn’t find it in him to call her a witch now. Not when she was just a woman helpless against an unwanted power she could not control.

“Aye, I asked all the questions,” Niall confirmed.

Lord Armstrong narrowed his eyes. “And she answered nay to every one?”

“Aye,” Niall lied. He hated the dishonesty and the pressing need of the situation’s severity.

“Lies,” Armstrong hissed.

Niall held his ground despite the chill running through his veins. If Lord Armstrong caught Niall speaking anything but the truth, it would cost him his position and Leila her life.

“She lies,” the earl snarled.

The tension in Niall’s shoulders did not relax at the realization that Lord Armstrong was not accusing Niall of lying, but Leila. Not when her life was still at stake.

“I asked the questions I was given,” Niall replied. “The lass isna a witch.”

“She’s made a fool of ye, Lion.” Lord Armstrong scoffed. “She’s lying to ye.”

“I dinna feel right in charging her with these crimes, my lord.” Niall kept his voice even for fear doing so too vehemently might arouse suspicion. “Why would she have helped Lady Davina if she was a witch? Would she no’ have let the daughter of the man who arrested her die?”

“Of course she cured her.” Lord Armstrong’s voice rang out against the stone walls of the great hall. “It was a clever attempt to prove her innocence, but I’m no’ as naive as ye, lad. I knew what she’d be about and that’s why I tasked her with aiding my Davina.”

“My Lord, I—”

“The people need a reason to explain this sickness that has killed so many,” Lord Armstrong said in a loud tone. “I’ve found them a witch whose death will ease the losses they have suffered.”

Niall bit back his objection. The earl’s statement told Niall everything he had not understood before. Lord Armstrong did not believe or disbelieve Leila was a witch. Doubtless, he did not care. He only wished to appease his people’s need for vengeance.