Page 19 of The Guardian's Witch

Her words splashed over him as if he were doused by ice water. “You will not.” A sudden chill hung on the edge of his words. “The king and my family will see a well-functioning estate with the king’s ward safely in residence for however long they remain.”

“Be reasonable, Alex.”

“What frightens you so?” He took her hand. “The king? I’ll show you what to do.” He caught sight of the stiffening of her back in revolt. “The king expects you to be here. I won’t have the king or my family see you living in exile in the hunting lodge. I will have them see that you are well protected behind the castle walls and showing support for my position.”

She boldly met his accusing eyes and pulled her hand away. “Support your position! What they see? You care about what they see?”

He had never heard her raise her voice. He doubted she even knew she had.

“You can’t have the king and his court here. Look around you, Alex. Look at what they will see. Is this the castle of great lord, or the barracks of a warrior? Glen Kirk is not ready for visitors, let alone the king.” She crossed her arms tightly across her chest in defiance.

“What’s wrong with Glen Kirk? It may be a bit stark but it will do,” Alex said, pretending not to understand her look.

“Listen to yourself. ‘Will do.’ What will they sleep on? What will they eat? Salty meat made by your field cook simply won’t do. And who will serve them? There are hardly enough servants here to manage now.” Her voice grew louder with each question.

“I’ll find a way.” He faced her almost nose to nose and matched her vehemence.

“You do that. And while you ‘find a way’ you can also find a place to put your guests.”

“There are plenty of rooms here. You know that better than I.”

“Oh yes, there are plenty of rooms, but very few are habitable. Have you looked lately?”

“Are there any other concerns?”

“No, none.” Her anger spent, she turned and proceeded down the hall.

“Then I expect your full cooperation in presenting Glen Kirk in its best light,” he called after her in controlled anger.

She straightened and continued on.

* * *

Lisbeth fought the escalating panic. Her mother’s final words raced across her mind.The king must never know.

She was back in the runaway coach with her mother’s arms around her.“I’m sorry.Ishould have told you.Lisbeth,the king must never know.”

If the king had any idea she had visions she knew he would brand her a witch and everyone would suffer. If he didn’t, all would go well. Mother had obviously kept it from him. New hope filled her. Laura and Jamie were the only ones who knew, and if they did see the king, which she suspected they wouldn’t, they wouldn’t say anything. She stroked the stone in her pouch. The panic subsided.

She entered the Great Hall and gave it a thorough look. How this room used to sing with music and laughter. Best not to think about the past. After all this time the pain still caught her by surprise. The heartbreak didn’t go away. It would never go away. She would carry her guilt with her for eternity.

She took a deep breath and scrunched her nose. The foul odor distracted her from her thoughts. Her eyes caught the haphazard table and benches. She stood in the middle of the room and took a more critical look.

“Ann.” Her eyes caught the dullness of the furniture. She ran her finger across the table and rubbed her forefinger and thumb together, feeling gritty grease. The furniture used to sparkle and smell of lavender oil. She walked over to the hearth. Was there a bone in the rushes? “Ann!” she called more insistently.

“Yes, m’lady.” The housekeeper rushed into the room, drying her hands on her apron.

“Ann, what has happened here? Mother would be appalled to see the room in such condition.”

“There’s been a great deal of change over the last years. Each of the men the king sent put in their own staff. Some from your mother’s household were kept on but many left until there were only a few who remained. No one wanted to stay here without any of the family in residence.”

Lisbeth cringed at the words. He had brought her back for his own purpose. He needed her in the castle for stability and to ensure cooperation. Her heart sank but she didn’t have time to dwell on that now. She shifted her thoughts back to the problem at hand. Hopefully John would spread the word that she’d returned to Glen Kirk. Perhaps that would encourage servants to come back. “How many from Mother’s household remain?”

“Five, m’lady.”

“They will have to do,” she said, mostly to herself. “Gather them here in the hall. There’s a lot to do before the king arrives. And there isn’t much time.”

“Yes, m’lady. Lord Alex instructed me to give work to any capable person who enquired. Some came to see if you were back and asked for a position.”

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