The Libertine (Taskill Witches 2)

Tamhas forced a smile. “It is a matter of the council I wish to speak to you about this evening.”

MacDougal frowned. “If that is the case it should be discussed in council.”

“It is imperative that I warn you about a suspicion I have, one that I cannot speak about openly as yet.”

They fell silent when the serving wench arrived with a jug and a second mug. While she poured the ale, Tamhas was pleased to note that MacDougal looked curious, despite his reservations.

Once the girl had gone, MacDougal nodded for him to continue.

“It is Lennox Fingal.”

MacDougal’s frown returned. “You have already raised concerns about Master Fingal and we made a compromise in recognition of that.”

“The concerns I have are weighty and therefore need to be broached. Believe me, it is the council and our town and families I fear for.”

“Fear? You fear Master Fingal?”

Tamhas twitched. “I fear for the innocents because I believe Lennox Fingal is a wrongdoer. I am more than ready to step forward and defend our town.”

“Master Fingal hasn’t given me any cause to doubt the decision we arrived at regarding his presence on the council. And his men are good workers, skilled.”

“It’s a sham!” Tamhas paused to rein in his anger. It wouldn’t do to lose control. “A respectable cloak behind which he hides. His allegiance is to the dark path of the Devil, and he engages in witchcraft up there at his house in the forest.”

MacDougal pursed his lips and considered Tamhas at length.

“I believed you to be more of a forward thinker than this, Keavey.”

Tamhas tightened his grip on his mug of ale. He wanted to crush it. “I am a forward thinker. I am thinking of our country, our families and their future.”

“That is not what I meant.” MacDougal pushed his ale away. His expression was disapproving. “There is no evidence of witchcraft in Saint Andrews, only hearsay. I understand you are suspicious of anyone who does not have a long history in the town, that is natural caution, but we are responsible men. As members of the council we must set a good example to all. We are leaders, and we must think and act carefully. An accusation of witchcraft against one of our townsmen would bring disrepute on the whole town.”

Tamhas’s frustration grew. “But witchcraft has been rife all over Scotland for centuries, why not here?”

“We are the religious capital of Scotland. That is no small thing.”

Enraged, Tamhas gesticulated with his hands. “And therefore a temptation of the highest order, to such as them.”

“Our good name cannot be tarnished by hearsay.”

“Are you saying you would ignore a person you thought was capable of such heinous acts, for the sake of the reputation of the town?”

“No, I’m not saying that.” MacDougal leaned forward and kept his voice low. “But we would require sound evidence and it would need to be handled discreetly.”

The tension that had built between them diminished a modicum.

“Nowadays caution is key...humanity,” MacDougal continued. “There are many in government who doubt the existence of witchcraft, and who question the death sentences that have been so readily doled out over the course of our history.”

“They are fools,” Tamhas blurted. “I’ve seen three of them hanged and they were evil to the core.”

MacDougal observed him in silence, and Tamhas regretted speaking out again after they were drawing closer to an understanding.

“If Master Fingal has evil intensions it will be revealed in the course of time and we will make a decision on how to act upon it.” MacDougal prepared to leave without having touched his ale. “For the time being, we will watch his performance on the council. By the close of summer, we will either revoke his invitation or his wainwrights will be recognized as a town guild.”

Tamhas gritted his teeth. MacDougal was clearly humoring him, but he had raised his concerns and there was nothing more he could do without evidence.

Evidence I intend to get.

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