The Silent Highlander (Highland Intrigue Trilogy 1)

“I did, my lady, and I made sure to tell Dorrit to see that food was sent to her.”

“Thank you, Finch. I am grateful for your help.” She closed the door behind her, leaving the couple alone to grieve and heal their hearts.

She hurried down the stairs, hoping Stiles was there waiting in the Great Hall with her husband. A smile burst across her face when she saw Stiles seated opposite her husband at a table near the hearth. She hurried and joined them, her husband’s arm going around her waist to easily lift her enough for her to swing her legs over the bench and settle next to him.

“Now that my wife has joined us, Stiles, tell us what you know about Deara’s death,” Odran said.

“My grandmother stopped me this morning to tell me that Deara had not passed by her cottage like she did every morning on her way to the keep. She seemed concerned for the lass, since Deara never failed to stop and share a few words with my grandmother before starting her day at the keep. I promised her I would check on Deara.” Stiles shook his head slowly. “I never expected to find the poor lass as I did. She was repeatedly stabbed, barely holding onto life. I have no idea how long she had been lying there, on the verge of death, all alone. I shouted for help, then bent down beside her. She fought to speak. The single word help spilled from her lips with difficulty. She struggled some more to speak, fighting to get a word out, and I asked who did this to her and with her last breath she said, Lendra.”

“You didn’t see anyone by Deara’s cottage when you approached it?” Odran asked.

“No one unusual,” Stiles said.

“When did Deara usually pass Willa’s cottage in the morning?” Elysia asked.

“Just after dawn. I know because I frequently stop to see my grandmother in the morning and she often mentions Deara and some of the things they have discussed.” Stiles shook his head again. “My grandmother got extremely upset when she learned of Deara’s death and she was astonished to learn that Deara had accused Lendra. She told me that Deara liked working with Lendra in the keep. That Lendra may have been Lady Elysia’s servant, but she also helped others with their chores and that she was kind to everyone. Lendra even admitted to Deara that she was a fool for loving Bram, but that he had been the only man who had ever treated her with kindness.”

Elysia’s heart broke for both women. They had been nothing but kind and neither woman deserved what happened to them.

“Had there been any man interested in Deara?” Odran asked.

“I do recall my grandmother mentioning that Deara seemed happier of late and that meant only one thing… a man had sparked her fancy. My grandmother only hoped it was a good man.”

“When was this?” Odran asked.

“A day or more, I can’t be sure. It could have been later than that or sooner. I just don’t recall.”

“She never mentioned the man’s name?” Odran asked.

“Not that my grandmother said.”

“How has the clan received the news that Lendra’s hanging has been delayed?” Odran asked, having no doubt the news had spread rapidly throughout the clan.

“Not as badly as expected. With Bram gone and another woman murdered, I think the clan worries that perhaps Bram had not been guilty of killing Glenis and a madman could very well lurk within the clan. They are glad to see that extra sentinels have been posted beginning today.”

Elysia was glad to hear that herself. She knew without a doubt that Lendra did not kill Deara, which meant a killer was among the clan.

“Keep an extra guard on Lendra’s cottage,” Odran ordered.

“Aye, my lord,” Stiles said.

Elysia waited until Stiles had left the Great Hall. “You think as I do that Deara could have used her last breath to protect a friend.”

“Deara struggled to speak. She managed to say help, then fought to finish and while she did Stiles asked her who did this to her as she finally managed to say Lendra,” Odran said.

“Help Lendra,” Elysia said. “She struggled to speak her last words to help a friend.”

“But how would she know that?”

“The person who killed her was brazen and confident enough that Deara would die before she could reveal what she’d been told,” Elysia suggested.

Odran made his own suggestion. “I wonder if the man that had entered Deara’s life had anything to do with it.”

“Why would she keep his identity a secret? Most women would be eager to share such news.”

“Perhaps he is wed?” Odran said, his brow narrowing. “And perhaps he fancies more than one woman at a time.”

“Are you suggesting that he also could have been involved with Glenis as well?”