Highlander of My Heart (Mcardle Sisters of Courage 1)

“I’ll have a warrior guard her.”

“How do we trust the warriors if we are to trust no one?” Sorrell asked, not liking the implications of her own question. “There must be some we can trust, like Hugh and Erland. Hugh has been friends with you since you both were bairns. Erland has served your da faithfully since both were young. Surely neither wish the clan harm.”

“I suppose you’re right, though having my father turn against me leaves me suspicious of everyone.”

“Not me,” Sorrell reminded and stretched up to kiss him gently.

“Never you,” he said, brushing his lips across hers after the kiss finished.

A knock sounded and Ruddock bid entrance.

“Your father demands to see you,” Erland said. “I believe you know why.”

Sorrell felt his reluctance to let her go. “I will be mindful and extra cautious. Go talk with your da and see if you can learn something that will bring an end to this puzzle.”

Ruddock didn’t want to leave her, since she had a habit of getting into troubling situations. “You should come with me.”

“Your father demanded you come alone,” Erland said.

Ruddock almost forgot the man was there. “I no longer bow to my father’s demands.”

“Go,” Sorrell urged. “I will be safe.”

“Of course you will,” Erland said, “unless you do something foolish, I believe a habit of yours and a worry to your husband who presently has enough to contend with.”

“Speak disrespectfully to my wife again and I will have you permanently removed from the keep,” Ruddock threatened.

Erland paled and was quick to apologize. “Forgive me, my lord, my concern for your father has me—”

“That’s no excuse,” Ruddock said, not letting him finish.

“Aye, my lord. It won’t happen again,” Erland said.

“Go. I will be there shortly,” Ruddock ordered and once the door closed he turned to his wife. “Stay away from Erland.”

“As you say,” Sorrell said.

“You agree too fast, wife.”

“I don’t believe Erland is the culprit or that he means me any harm. He defends your da like I defend you. But I will do as you say so you don’t worry about me.”

Ruddock shook his head. “An impossible task.”

Sorrell sat in the Great Hall, a tankard of cider in hand and her mind busy with thoughts. She couldn’t get Wilda’s words out of her mind. She had listed who had suffered the most from all that had happened, and yet, she had a feeling she was missing someone. Would Wilda have the answer? Or was Wilda part of the problem? Was she poisoning Finn?

Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough for Sorrell, hoping that her sister would arrive. She saw things with more reason than Sorrel. She might see something Sorrell was missing. In the meantime, though, she couldn’t wait. She needed to talk with Wilda.

“Some food, my lady?” Blodwen asked.

Sorrell had been so engrossed in her thoughts that she hadn’t heard Blodwen approach. “You were born here, weren’t you, Blodwen?”

“Aye, my lady,” Blodwen said with a nod, “and grateful I am for it. When my da died, my mum and I had no worries, since Lord Finn looks after all in the clan.”

“You’re loyal to the clan,” Sorrell said.

“Without question, my lady. I would take up arms to defend it and give my life if needed,” Blodwen said, a worried look in her eyes. “Did I do something to make you think otherwise, my lady?”

“No. No, Blodwen,” Sorrell assured her, realizing how her questions must have sounded. “Just wondering if most of the clan was born to it or migrated here.”

“I can tell you about most here, my lady,” Blodwen said with a relieved smile.

“Good,” Sorrell said and stood. “You can do that as we walk.”

“Night has fallen and with it a light snow, my lady,” Blodwen warned.

“All the better. I have yet to walk the village in the evening and I love snow,” Sorrell said with a grin and proceeded to tell Blodwen about her sister Snow.

“Your sister sounds like a remarkably strong woman,” Blodwen said as they walked down the keep steps. “And what a perfect name she picked for her pup… Thaw.”

When they reached the bottom, Sorrell turned in the direction she wanted to go. She was glad Blodwen followed without question and hadn’t taken notice that Hollis and Bruce were not at their posts. She assumed both were engaged in the hunt for Lander. She was also glad she hadn’t given her word not to leave the keep. Otherwise, she would be stuck inside. She didn’t intend to take long and hoped to be back in the keep before Ruddock discovered she was gone.

“Tell me of those in the keep not born here,” Sorrell said as they walked. “Like Erland, he was born to the clan.”

“No, my lady,” Blodwen said, shaking her head. “From the stories I’ve heard of the days before Lord Finn became a lord, Lord Finn conquered Erland’s clan. Defeated, the men had no choice but to pay allegiance to Lord Finn. Erland and Lord Finn became friends through the years. Some wonder how Erland can serve the man who defeated his clan and robbed him of his land and birthright.”