Page 33 of Highland Dove

“But that could take a while,” said Tillie.

“That’s true,” said Malmuira. “And her blisters will be gone in a few days. After that, ye ken Eideard will be after her again.”

Duncan didn’t like that thought at all. “Then a few more days is all we’ll give it. We will have to attack no matter if we find my mathair or no’.”

“Are ye sure, Duncan?” asked Daniel. “After all, she is yer mathair.”

“I will find a way,” said Duncan, not feeling so confidant anymore. “I will find a way to save Mathair, Mari and Angus, and also take back the castle.” He walked away, running a weary hand through his hair, heading for the mews for the night to sleep on this and hopefully figure out a way to keep his promise.

Chapter 11

Mari jerked awake from a sound sleep, suddenly realizing that yesterday Angus had been trying to give her a clue as to where to find his mother. He’d oddly mentioned Duncan calling her a Highland dove. He’d also said that the doves would reveal the truth. It had to be a clue as to where Eideard was hiding his mother.

She hurriedly dressed and threw open the door, only to find that Eideard had posted a guard to watch over her.

“Get out of my way,” she told him.

“Eideard said ye are to stay here.” It was his right-hand man, Baldair.

“I’m lady of the castle and refuse to be confined to my room.”

“He said ye willna leave until yer blisters are gone and then he is goin’ to bed ye to consummate the marriage.”

“Well, I can’t do that because I am contagious.”

The guard stretched his neck to look at her. “I dinna see those blisters anymore.”

“They’re here. All over my body. See.” She pulled up her sleeve to show him her arm and gasped. Somehow, her skin no longer showed blisters. They’d disappeared overnight and now only a remnant of light scars existed.

“Eideard will want to ken about this. Come with me,” he said, grabbing her by the arm and hauling her through the kitchen and down the hall to Eideard’s solar. He stopped and knocked on the door.

“Who is it?” came the grumpy voice of Eideard from the other side.

“It’s Baldair,” said the man through the door. “I have yer wife and she seems to be healed. I thought ye’d want her right away so ye can consummate the marriage.”

There was a moment’s silence and then the door slowly opened. Mari looked up and gasped. Eideard’s body was covered with big, oozing blisters that looked to be twice as bad as hers ever were. She chuckled under her breath. If anyone deserved it, it was him.

“Do I look like I’m in any condition to couple with my wife?” He squirmed and itched his body like crazy.

“Y-ye’ve got what she had,” Baldair blurted out, moving backward with his arms outstretched, as if he were trying to ward off a plague.

“That’s right, I do. I must have gotten it from her when she rode with me on the horse.”

“Do ye want me to leave her here?” asked the guard.

Eideard continued to itch. “Nay! Get her out of here. And leave me alone. Find someone to heal me. And hurry!”

“Aye, my laird,” said the man with a nod.

“And keep an eye on her. Dinna let her out of the castle walls, nor down to the dungeon to see Angus. I dinna trust either one of them,” he growled and slammed the door in their faces.

Mari started to walk away but the man stopped her.

“Where do ye think ye’re goin’?”

“My husband needs someone to heal him. Ye heard him.”

“And what are ye goin’ to do about it?”