Ramsey rubbed the whiskers covering his chin. “When ye say it like that it does sound absurd. But what other explanation is there? Since she married the stranger from abroad, she’s nae been the same.”
“You’ve every right to be suspicious of me.” Isla’s croaky voice drifted out from the doorway.
They all turned to face her. She hung back in the shadows, looked gaunt, far too pale. She had tied her unkempt hair loosely in a ribbon, gripped the corners of the blanket draped over her shoulders.
“You’re not well,” Lachlan said, trying to keep the sense of panic from his voice. “You should stay inside where it is warm.”
“I can manage. Come. Let me take your arm, Lachlan.”
He marched over to her. “What the hell are you doing?” he whispered through gritted teeth.
“I’m putting an end to this once and for all.”
Fear dug its claws into his heart. “But what if—”
She clutched his arm. “I am cured, Lachlan. There’s no need to worry.”
Despite her words of confidence, he still held his breath and shivered with trepidation as she stepped out into the bailey.
Ramsey exhaled in shock at the sight of her standing beneath the rays of the midday sun. He inclined his head. “Ye know why we’ve come?”
“You must forgive me for not addressing you by name,” she said, her blue eyes flitting back and forth, failing to settle. “I have an illness that impairs my vision. It is worse when the sun is up. I’m afraid today is a particularly bad day, and I cannot see a thing.”
Ramsey’s mouth fell open as he narrowed his gaze and stared at her. “We knew nothing of yer illness.”
“I’m ashamed to say that my condition causes bouts of melancholy. To lose one’s sight, even temporarily, can be terribly debilitating.”
“Can you nae see anything?” Fraser asked peering at her.
“No. Not at the moment.”
The men came to stand together, muttered and whispered amongst themselves.
Lachlan pursed his lips to suppress a grin. Isla was smart, highly astute. Her declaration provided the perfect opportunity to address their reason for being caught in the forest.
“We were out in the woods last night. I escorted Miss Maclean so she could take some air. The vicious rumours circulating the village had made her fear for her safety.” Lachlan’s tone brimmed with reproof. “In the dark her vision is a little clearer, and she insists on taking exercise. We stumbled upon the real culprit in Fraser’s field. We were chasing him when you saw us exit the forest.” Lachlan decided to exaggerate the truth to bolster her cause. “When you ran after us, I was forced to carry her as her failing sight made it difficult for her to keep the pace.”
The men remained silent though he suspected their minds were busily engaged in trying to make sense of the
situation.
“How long have ye been suffering with yer sight?” Ramsey eventually asked.
“Three years,” she replied. “I can go for long periods without any symptoms, but then the headaches lead to a bout of blindness. I have been ill these last few weeks.”
“Ask yourselves this, gentlemen,” Lachlan said, feeling no guilt or shame for supporting her lie. “What motive would Miss Maclean have for committing these abominable acts? Douglas Dougan cares for her like his daughter, and there’s not a man alive who doesn’t respect his judgement.”
Well, unless Douglas had drunk more than his share of whisky, of course.
The men muttered amongst themselves again before Ramsey said, “Then who would want to commit such cowardly crimes?”
“Honestly. I have no notion.” Lachlan squared his shoulders and stood to his full height. “But someone in this village has deceived us all, played us for fools. And I’ll not rest until I discover who’s to blame.”
Chapter 14
After escorting Isla back to her room to rest, Lachlan rode to Carrick Hall to wash and change his clothes. Ramsey and the other men had appeared just as confused by the recent events, which led Lachlan to conclude he was missing a large part of the puzzle.
Someone wanted to ruin Isla’s reputation, see her ostracised by her own people. But why? Whoever it was, their need must be great for them to commit such abhorrent acts. Creeping about at night to slaughter animals conveyed a certain desperation that spoke of depravity.