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“And remember, if he speaks to ye, and ye daenae like what he has to say, ye cannae fire back. Ye simply rise and make it seem as if he is beneath ye. Ye give the impression that nay matter what is done inside that room, it will nae have any effect on ye.”
“Is that how ye lived all these years?” Olivia asked, keeping her eyes on him as they walked down the hallway. He gave a shrug and she noticed how he pretended not to mind the servants as they walked by them. She understood that it was all an act. From the first moment she stepped foot in the castle, Conner had an air about him that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. At first she thought it was pride that he exhibited, but now she wasn’t so sure.
Conner moved with grace and strength, keeping his head high. Olivia noticed the poise of his shoulders and back. It was as if he thought himself higher than everyone and it showed in the way he moved with dignity through the castle.
“All this time,” Olivia mumbled in a hushed tone. She wasn’t speaking to him directly, more of an afterthought as more layers of Conner’s personality peeled away. “Ye’ve been nothin’ but a kind gentle soul who’s been forced to put on this mask, havenae ye?”
Conner froze beside her as they reached the bottom of the stairs. There was no doubt that he heard the murmurs of the crowd from the great hall. After all, if she could hear the whispers, he could too.
“Well,” Conner said as he glanced over to look at her. “Let’s keep that between ye and I, nay? Havin’ such things spread through the castle may undermine my leadership. These people want someone strong and undeterred by events. If I were to break down as they dae, they’d nae respect me or my orders. It would be chaos. Now, the question is, can ye be the same way? Can ye step into that room, head held high and show nay cracks in yer composure?”
Olivia pulled in a long deep breath. She glanced at the open space where she noticed several eyes already on her. Struggling to smile, she nodded. Conner’s lips twitched. Although she wasn’t sure if it was due to him being impressed with her, or if he was merely taking pity on her. All she did know was that in a few precious moments, she would have her vengeance.
The moment Conner and Olivia reached the great hall, the crowd got silent. Olivia tried to keep her eyes locked on the chairs placed in the back of the room as the crowd parted for them. Despite her heart pounding fiercely in her chest, she walked with grace alongside Conner.
“Dae ye see him?” Conner whispered into her ear as they passed by a man shackled. In the corner of her eye, she spied the man on his knees. She gave a sharp nod as her fingers ached for a blade. Keeping her steely gaze on the man, she wished to be the one to drive the blade through him. Every ounce of her being wished for justice, yet she knew with the crowd around her, acting recklessly wouldn’t be wise. These were her people now, and there was a process to such matters.
“What right dae ye have to brin’ me here? I’ve done nothin’ wrong,” the man said. Before Olivia or Conner could say a word, Damon was at the man’s side glaring at him. Olivia’s lips pursed together trying to keep from smiling as Damon pulled his dirk from his side and grazed the man with the flat part of the blade.
“Ye’ll nae speak to the Laird and Lady in such a manner, old man,” Damon growled. The man pursed his lips tight in defiance as Damon turned about to look at Conner.
“M’Laird, m’Lady, members of the council, this is Henry Dursely,” Damon said as Olivia kept her eyes locked on Henry. She studied his face and knew instantly that this was not the man from the field. Immediately her heart sank. Tremors of rage coursed through her fingers and hands as she glanced about the great hall, hunting for the real attacker.
“Of course, the laird is aware of who this man is,” Damon said to the crowd.
“I am but a farmer,” Henry pleaded. “Wrongfully arrested for a crime I didnae commit.”
“Silence,” Conner snapped, causing the room to jump. In the corner of Olivia’s eye she noticed Conner turning in his seat. She knew before he even opened his mouth what he would say to her.
Lifting a hand to her mouth, she whispered, “This is nae the same man.”
“Are ye sure?”
“Aye,” Olivia said, keeping her eyes locked on Conner and hoping that no one could see her mouth as it moved. The last thing she wanted was for the clan to think she was weak or that she was a vengeful woman. Conner nodded as his lips moved but nothing came out. Confused, she watched as Conner righted himself in the seat next to her.
“Henry Dursely,” Conner’s voice boomed through the great hall as all eyes lingered on him. “What were ye doin’ near the Oakbrook woods yesterday when my men rounded ye up?”
“Cartin’ my wares to the village,” Henry answered.
“And did ye happen to see Lady Olivia in the field that day?” Conner asked. His question caused her heart to skip.
“Aye, she was on a lovely steed. I may be gettin’ up in years, but I remember such things,” Henry answered as the crowd chuckled.
“And did ye happen to see what happened to her?”
Olivia’s lips twitched as she listened to the fool before her. There was an eagerness rising in her. Deep within her gut, she knew the man was lying.
“Nay, what happened?” Henry asked.
“Did ye happen to notice anyone injured on the trail near the woods? A fallen or stunted horse? Perhaps a call for help of any kind?”
“Aye,” Henry answered. “I heard a man callin’ for help.”
“And why did ye nae stop to help?” Conner asked as Olivia felt her veins pounding under her skin.
“When I got to where I heard the calls for help, there was nay one there. I thought maybe I was mistaken or that my mind was playin’ tricks on me. After all, it had been a long day travelin’ and workin’, I thought maybe it was just me imagination.”
“So ye didnae see the horse fleeing to the castle in the field?” Conner asked.
