Page 35 of Seduction in a Kilt

She smiled with such delight that, acting on a sudden irresistible impulse, he inclined his head just a little bit lower and brushed her lips with his. Instantly, alarm bells rang in his head. What am I doing? He released her and stepped backwards, turning away.

She stood there for a moment in silence. Then she went over to the bed and put on her robe. “Is there any news about Carson?” she asked, her voice betraying no sign of what had just passed between them.

“Not directly, nae. But there have been some serious developments.” He sat down in the arm chair by the fire and stretched out his legs.

“Oh?” She came over and stood near him, combing her hair, looking at him worriedly. He knew she was thinking she was going back to Carson. So, to ease her mind, he proceeded to relate all that had been discussed at the council meeting. When he had finished, she sat down in the chair opposite, her face deathly pale.

“Thank ye for tellin’ me all this, Liam,” she murmured.

“What’s yer assessment of the situation?” he asked, interested to hear what she would say. She had a sharp mind and knew her brother and Gael better than most.

“The same as yers,” she replied. “Carson is definitely using Gael. He’s always been the dominant one between the pair of them. Gael’s a boastful blusterer, but he’s nae the sharpest knife in the box. He lacks Carson’s guile and deviousness. He probably thinks what he’s doing is his own idea.” She paused to shake her head sadly. “Those poor villagers are just like me, gaming pieces on the board of selfish, greedy men.”

“Aye. Innocent folks always suffer with men like Carson and Gael in power.

At any rate, we’re all of the same mind about Carson’s machinations and his overall purpose,” Liam said. “Maybe that will help us outwit him.”

“Maybe, but he plays a long game. What are ye and the laird gonnae dae now?” she asked.

“Well, in a couple of hours he, Magnus and I are goin’ out scouting tae some of the affected villages. We’ll find out what help the villagers need in the way of restorin’ their livelihoods. We’ll talk tae folks and try and find out any information that may be useful, like if Gael has any troops hidden away around here and where he might decide tae strike next,” he explained.

“I’m comin’ with ye,” she declared, standing up suddenly.

He was astonished. “Ye are nae!”

“I am. I refuse tae stay here while ye’re away. And I’ll be better off with ye. And I’m good at talkin tae people and findin’ things out.”

“Absolutely nae,” he insisted, shaking his head vehemently. “Ye said ye were gonnae go and help Effie today.”

“I’ve already been tae see her. She has too much work on tae keep an eye on me today. So I have naethin’ tae dae. This is about me braither and I want tae help”.

“Christ!” He got up and began pacing, thinking she might be right. He would feel happier with her by her side. Then he could protect her. But could he persuade Knox to take her along? Well, he decided, I suppose there’s only one way tae find out.

“All right, we’ll see what Knox says. But if he agrees, ye havetae promise tae dae exactly as I tell ye, and wear yer lad’s clothes,” he told her. She rushed to get ready, while he rubbed his stubbly chin with his hand and muttered, “Ach, I just hope I’m nae gonnae regret this!”

Three hours later, along with Liam, Magnus, the laird and a small party of armed men bringing up the rear, Ivy found herself riding into the village of Cannmere. A pall of gray smoke still lingered as barns and cottages continued to smolder. Folk stood huddled in the streets, now homeless.

The laird received a warm welcome from his people. But the devastation Gael’s men had wrought, burning barns and crofts, stealing cattle and sheep, was distressing to see. Two people, a farmer and his son, had been murdered trying to protect their property. The tearful widow and her children were being comforted by the women. The needless killing infuriated Ivy, and her heart ached for the bereaved family. She hated her brother and Gael with a new ferocity that began to overtake her fear of them.

They spent all day touring the villages. Ivy was impressed by Laird Stewart’s efforts to comfort the villagers and give practical help to recover their ruined livelihoods. It was a glaring contrast to Carson’s harsh style as leader of his clan. For the first time, she wondered about the sufferings of her own clansfolk under his iron rule and was sure their lives were miserable.

They visited three villages in all, and when they left each one, Magnus would make an announcement inviting all the villagers to attend the upcoming cèilidh. The news was welcomed as something to lighten the gloom of their situation. She found their resilience inspiring.

They were preparing to leave the last village and Ivy was on her way to rejoin the men after talking to some women when she suddenly heard a low whistle to her left. When she looked over, she saw a man wearing a long, hooded cloak beckoning to her from a narrow alley between two houses.

As soon as he saw she had noticed him, he waved at her urgently to come over. Wary of strangers, she looked around. But there were plenty of people about, and Liam had given her back her sword, so she felt safe. Thinking the man must be a villager with some fresh tale of horror to relate, she went over to him.

As she drew closer and saw that most of his face was obscured by a grubby cloth, she thought he must be a leper. She dared not go too close.

“What is it?” she asked. “Can I help ye with somethin?”

“Ye cannae help me, Lady Ivy, but I can help ye,” came the reply. Ivy’s hackles rose. She was dressed as a youth, so how did the stranger know who she was?

“Who are ye, and how d’ye ken me?”

“I’ve been watchin’ out fer ye, melady.” Those words sent shivers slithering down Ivy’s spine as though a serpent was creeping along it. “I have secrets tae tell ye, about how yer ma and da were killed.”

“What d’ye ken about me parents?” she demanded, repulsed but at the same time intrigued by the stranger’s words.