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“Send Fia up to the battlements to talk to me instead.”
“Aye, my laird.” He looked down at Alastair’s feet. “Did ye ken ye are only wearin’ one boot?”
Alastair glared at him. “Did ye ken the other boot is goin’ to be kickin’ ye in the arse if ye dinna get out of here right now?”
Earc hurried away while Alastair made his way up to the battlements. Leaning over the wall, he rubbed his stiff neck hoping the cool morning breeze would clear the confusion from his head. Ever since he found Fia alone with his dead father, she had acted strangely. Things had been so hectic that he hadn’t even had time to ask her what she was doing in his father’s chamber in the first place. He heard that his father had called for her, but he had no idea why.
The sound of the creaking chains and pulleys filled the air as the gate lifted. He looked over the wall to see Finn on his horse waiting to enter. Then, before he could even get inside, Fia ran out to talk to him. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but by the look on Fia’s face, he could tell she wasn’t happy.
“Finn,it’s about time ye returned.” Fia ducked under the moving gate and ran to meet the messenger. “Where is Lorraine? Didna she return with ye?”
“I’m sorry, my lady, but when I got to the Iron Eagle and asked for her, I was told by her husband that she never returned from her errand. Her body was found miles away. It seems she was attacked and killed on the road by bandits.”
“Nay!” she shouted, feeling her heart sink in her chest. “Lorraine is dead? Are ye sure?”
“Her husband told me directly. He said the bandits took everythin’, even her horse and only left the clothes on her back.”
Fia reached out and laid her hand on Finn’s horse, feeling as if Lorraine’s death was her fault. If she hadn’t asked Lorraine to take the crown to Richard, the woman would still be alive today. She didn’t even know now if Lorraine had met up with her contact and given them the crown. Then again, she must have been on her way back to the inn when it happened since the English did turn around and retreat.
“Fia,” someone shouted, gaining her attention. She looked up to see her sister, Morag, approaching on horseback. With her was Fia’s entire family.
“Morag,” she called out, picking up her gown and running to greet her. Her sister was off the horse and in her arms before the horse even stopped moving.
“I was so frightened for ye,” cried Morag, hugging her hard. “We thought ye were dead. Thank guidness Faither came to Rothbury to tell me ye were alive and gettin’ married.”
“Mathair,” cried Fia, running to greet her mother who was riding in a wagon with Fia’s thirteen-year-old twin brothers, Conall and Dugal. She greeted her mother and brothers as well as her father and looked around. “Where is Uncle Duff? Will he be comin’ to my weddin’?”
“His wife is havin’ another baby any day. He sends his regrets but wants to stay and tend to the other children to help her,” said her mother.
“Ye are goin’ to live in a castle?” said Conall, his red hair shining in the sun almost as bright as hers.
“Why dinna we have a castle, Da?” asked Dugal, the dark-haired twin.
“Boys, ye ken that we live simply in our clan because that is the way yer faither wants it,” their mother reminded them.
“Maggie, it’s time the boys ken the truth,” said Reed. “I didna pledge my loyalty to the late King Edward like yer uncles did, or I would have had a castle as well.”
“Why didna ye?” asked Dugal with a frown.
Morag answered for him. “Because then ye would all be livin’ in England with Sassenachs the way Fia and I have been doin.”
“Speakin’ of that,” said Fia, looking around. “Where are Willow and Maira? I need to speak with them about somethin’ important.”
“They’re no’ comin’,” said Morag. “The earl wouldna let them leave his care.”
“What? No’ even for my weddin’?” asked Fia. “Why no’?”
Reed cleared his throat and looked the other way. “They’ll be along later after yer uncles talk to Lord Beaufort.”
“Da almost strangled the earl with his bare hands for lettin’ ye be kidnapped when he was supposed to be watchin’ over ye,” tattled Morag. “Now the earl willna let Willow or Maira leave until he has written permission from Uncle Rook and Uncle Rowen.”
“Da, how could ye?” spat Fia. “I am to be married this mornin’, and I wanted them here.”
“Ye’ll just have to wait and talk to them when they arrive in a day or two,” said Reed, leading the way inside the castle.
“A day or two? That is too long. I need to talk to them now.” Fia followed her family inside the castle courtyard feeling as if she would never have anyone to confide in with her problem.
“Fia, ye have me to talk to,” said Morag, leading her horse, walking at Fia’s side.
