Highlander of My Heart (Mcardle Sisters of Courage 1)

“How is he ingesting the poison?” Ruddock asked.

“That’s the problem.” Wilda shook her head. “I don’t know. Food would be the most likely guess or the drink.”

“Didn’t you tell my father what you suspected?” Ruddock asked.

“Not at first since I wasn’t sure myself. It wasn’t until I tried various brews that confirmed my suspicions were correct that I finally told him. He was skeptical at first, thinking I was wrong, thinking he was dying, and that’s all there was to it. Then something changed. I don’t know what, but it was around the time he sent for you. He finally began to suspect that I might be right.”

“Which is why he got so upset when I wouldn’t let you see him,” Ruddock said. “He believed your brew was fighting the poison.”

“We need to find out who is doing this before it’s too late. From what you say, Wilda, it would seem the kitchen is the likeliest place the poison would be added,” Sorrell said.

“Or someone who serves it, since he would have time to add the poison without anyone seeing him,” Willow suggested.

“Lander worked in the kitchen,” Ruddock said. “Hugh told me he asked to work there about eight or nine months ago.”

“Can we speak to him?” Willow asked.

“He’s dead, murdered, and if he were alive it would be difficult to communicate with him since a barbarian cut out his tongue,” Sorrell said.

Willow shook her head. “How do you get yourself mixed up in such things?”

“With great ease,” Sorrell admitted with a bit of a smile.

“If he was the one poisoning Lord Finn, then perhaps the poisoning has stopped,” —Erland frowned— “but his pain continues.”

“It would take time for the effects of the poison to wear off and that he continues to take Wilda’s brew would only help him heal faster,” Willow said. “As long as someone doesn’t try to speed up what he hoped to accomplish… to kill Lord Finn.”

Erland hurried out of his chair. “Lord Finn takes a small meal at this time. I should go and make sure no one touches it.”

“Keep a watchful eye, Erland, and let me know if you spot anything,” Ruddock said.

Erland gave a bob of his head and rushed out the door.

“You should have come to me with this, Wilda,” Ruddock said.

“I didn’t know if I could trust you, and I gave my word to your mum to keep your da safe. She knew you would do well, find a woman to love and have a family. Your da gave your mum all his love, there’d be none left for another woman. He’d be alone and your mum knew it, and it tore at her heart.”

“Did his mum ask anything else of you or confess anything before she died?” Sorrell asked, reaching out to where Ruddock sat in the chair beside her and took hold of his hand, though it was more that his large hand devoured her small one.

“As usual she talked of Lord Finn and her son and how much she loved them and how proud she was of the fine man her son had become. Her confession she gave to Father Andrew, though it couldn’t have been much of one since she was a good woman, not a blemish on her soul,” Wilda said with a nod. “And those were Father Andrew’s own words after leaving her side.”

“You were there when Father Andrew heard my mum’s confession?” Ruddock asked, rising out of his chair to stand.

“I arrived just as he was coming out of your mum’s bedchamber.”

“Did anyone else leave my mum’s room?”

Wilda shook her head. “No. How could anyone else be there? The confessional is private. No one but Father Andrew can hear it.”

Sorrell and Willow sat in Lady Alida’s solar, having gone there after Ruddock left his solar to speak with his father. Blodwen had brought two hot brews for them and had stoked the fire, making the room toasty warm. After introducing Blodwen to Willow the young servant took her leave.

“I never expected to find you engaged in such a dangerous situation,” Willow said. “And I will admit that the main reason I came here was to see that you were unharmed. After what Eleanor had told Snow and me about the barbarian attack, we worried endlessly over you.”

“How is Eleanor?” Sorrell asked.

“She is a kind woman and works hard. James gave her a position in the keep and she also helps me with Snow, which let me take my leave without worry. And don’t think averting our discussion will work. I’m too used to that tactic of yours. You will tell me all that has gone on here so I can help you solve this horrendous situation and let me return home without worrying over you. If that is even possible.”

“I knew I could count on your help. Besides, people seem to trust you more easily than me.”