Part 43 (2/2)

As Gilford dropped a s.h.i.+rt of mail over Ridley's head, and strapped on his greaves and shoulder plates, the tension began to build in his chest. Action. Finally, he could get on with this. Once he secured Gealach and bedded Lady Anne, he would head north, where the Clachan Fala-and Mona-waited for him. It would take the duke weeks to conscript and a.s.semble an army. The Scottish king would send representatives to try and negotiate, but it was formality. The situation had festered too long and King Henry would not be easily mollified. They were only buying time, and little did they know, giving Ridley the extra time he needed. He would be back at the border, Blood Stone in hand and alliances secure, in time to invade Scotland.

He smiled to himself as he left his tent and strode to his horse. Yes, he had everything in hand.

0=”16”16.

FAYTH SIFTED through Alex's horde in one of the rooms below Gealach. She'd claimed she didn't like the gowns chosen for her and wanted new ones. Alex had given her permission to choose more-with Skelley guarding her, of course. Skelley rested in a chair near the door, Biddy at his feet. He'd tried to keep the dog in the larder, but she'd leaped through the hole, determined to follow Fayth on her adventures. Skelley grumbled about having to carry the dog back up the ladder later, but Fayth thought he secretly enjoyed Biddy. Skelley's hand dangled off the chair arm, toying with the dog's fur, and he chatted with her as if she were human. When he addressed a question to the dog, she stopped panting and looked up, as if listening intently to whatever he said.

The pair had become a fixture in Fayth's life the past few days. She knew that something was wrong. Why else would Alex set his closest friend to guard her all day, every day? But Skelley was tight-lipped about it and Alex had made himself scarce. Well, during the day he did. At night he sat on a bench outside her room, guarding her himself. He was more vigilant than Ridley. She would never escape from Gealach. She'd tried to devise ways to distract him, but had thus far been unsuccessful.

Fayth set aside another box that she'd hoped contained jewels. But it had contained naught by pearl necklaces and earbobs. It had seemed a clever idea at first. So far as Fayth knew, no one alive had ever seen the Clachan Fala-if it even existed. Fayth had heard stories and knew it was a ruby in a gold setting. If she could find something fitting that description, perhaps Ridley could be fooled.

Now, however, it didn't seem like such a fine idea. Though there were many coins and baubles and clothes, there was little valuable jewelry. Fayth looked around the room, hands on hips.

She was covered with filth, her hands, dress, and face. She'd found the mirror Alex had handed to her the last time they were down here and had decided to keep it. Fayth pressed her hand against her bodice, where she'd hidden it when Skelley wasn't looking.

”I'm hungry, la.s.s,” Skelley said, coming to his feet. It was a hint that he was ready to leave the dank darkness.

”There's more than this, isn't there?”

”Just what are you looking for? I thought you only needed another gown?”

”I don't like any of these.” She s.n.a.t.c.hed up the pearls. ”They have to go with pearls.”

Skelley sighed and paced out the door. His steps echoed along the corridor before coming back. Biddy hardly moved, lifting her head to watch him go, then stretching longer on the floor, her paws twitching.

Skelley reappeared. ”There's more down here. Can we not come back after some dinner? This cold seeps into my bones.”

Fayth nodded guiltily. Skelley's youthful days were long past, his thick beard streaked with gray, his eyes lined with age.

”Yes, let me just have a look in the other room. Maybe we won't need to come back at all.” She took one of the candles and hurried past Skelley before he could stop her. He didn't follow, pulling his chair into the corridor and positioning it so he could watch the doorway. Biddy got to her feet and trotted at Fayth's side.

Fayth held the candle high as she entered the room. Trunks, chests, cabinets... there was even a bed frame, its ma.s.sive oak posts reaching into the darkness. Fayth wandered about the room, opening chests to survey the contents. This was plunder Alex had seized on raids, not pirate treasure. Her shoulders slumped. She would find nothing useful here.

At the doorway Biddy whined, low and uneasy. Fayth turned. The dog was poised on the threshold, staring into the blackness, the fur on her nape bristling. Fayth s.h.i.+vered, holding the candle before her and watching the shadowy figure of the dog.

”Biddy? What is it?”

The dog looked quickly over her shoulder at Fayth, then returned her attention to the door. She took several tentative steps forward. Fayth followed. By the time she reached the door, Biddy had advanced deeper into the pa.s.sage, a low growl rumbling from her chest. Fayth looked down the opposite way, where Skelley sat idly in his chair. When he noticed Fayth and Biddy he came to his feet.

Biddy's rumbling growl turned to a snarl threatening violence. Fayth jumped back as Skelley hurried to join them.

”What's wrong with her?” he asked.

Fayth shook her head, peering into the dark. She could hear nothing but far off dripping and a whine of wind through the tunnels. Biddy was almost out of sight when she sprang forward, melting into the darkness. They heard nothing for a full minute, then the corridors were filled with the guttural snarl of an attacking animal. Skelley seized Fayth's arm, dragging her back the way they'd come.

”What is it? What about Biddy?” Fayth cried, struggling to keep up. He'd grabbed her injured arm. It was all she could do to hold it steady so he didn't wrench it in his fervor to get her away.

At the ladder, Skelley shoved her up, his hands on her bottom, urging her to climb faster. Fayth was going as fast as she could, when she heard a horrible, high-pitched yelp, then nothing. Fayth remained poised, hand gripping the opening to the larder, eyes staring sightlessly into the dark. She'd lost her candle and the only light originated from the square of light above them.

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