Page 41 of To Wed a Witch
A soft knock at the door interrupted their conversation.Ada entered, her usually composed face troubled.
"Forgive the intrusion, my laird, but there's something ye should ken.I've been speaking with the village women, trying to calm their fears, and..."She hesitated, wringing her hands.
"What is it, Ada?"
"The traveling healer.Some of the women got a good look at him.They say..."Ada's voice dropped to a whisper."They say he bore a strong resemblance to the Sutherland laird."
Sìne felt the blood drain from her face as the full implications became clear, but she needed privacy to discuss it."Thank ye, Ada.Yer news has been more helpful than ye will ever ken.Ye truly are a blessing."
Ada blushed with the praise, then nodded and quit the room.
"Sutherland?"Bhaltair asked, looking confused."Why is that name familiar?"
"Laird Bryce Sutherland," Sìne replied."Our neighbor.His land borders the MacKay's.If my father died without me wed, then they would have a claim to MacKay land.It was some stupid arrangement made by our clansmen with the king to keep the peace."
Bhaltair stiffened, his arms tightening protectively around Aidyn."That bastard's been planning this all along."
"But why go to such elaborate lengths?"Sìne asked, though she was beginning to suspect the answer.
"Because he kens he can't make a claim while our marriage stands," Bhaltair replied."But if he can turn my clan against ye, make them believe ye're a threat to their souls...they'll demand I set ye aside.And once the marriage is annulled..."
"Everything goes back to how it was.He then just has to wait until my father passes," Sìne finished, her voice hollow with understanding.She stood immediately."Bhaltair, ye must warn my father to be vigilant for his own safety.If it is true, then Bryce was willing to risk a child's life for his own ends.He would think nothing of being rid of my father as well."
Bhaltair nodded and sent for Murphy.He would see that Laird MacKay had ample warning and protection.
It was a masterful plan, he had to admit.Sutherland couldn't attack them directly, for they had guarded Sìne too well.But by manipulating the clan's fears, by using their own superstitions against them, he could destroy their marriage from within.
"What do we do?"Sìne asked.
Bhaltair's expression was grim."First, we prove what Sutherland's done.Then we make him pay for it."
But even as he spoke, Sìne could hear voices in the courtyard below, clan members gathering, their conversations growing more heated by the hour.The seed of doubt that Sutherland had planted was taking root, spreading through the Keep like poison.
And on the morrow, Bhaltair was supposed to ride to Clan MacNeil lands for a meeting with their laird that had been planned for weeks.A sennight away from Ferguson Keep, just when she would need his protection most.
She wondered if that timing, too, had been part of Sutherland's plan.
Outside their window, mist was beginning to gather in the bailey, and she could swear she heard the echo of mocking laughter carried on the evening wind.
***
