Page 47 of To Wed a Witch
Greig's expression grew thunderous."Ye're not going anywhere near that bastard, mistress," he said flatly."Not without proper protection.Ye need to wait for the laird."
"Ye dinnae understand.Time is precious," Sìne protested desperately."And if he sees guards—"
"Then he will not see me," Greig interrupted."I'll follow at a distance, hidden in the trees.But ye're not facing that devil alone."
Unknown to any of them, a kitchen maid had been lingering near the stables, hoping to catch a glimpse of the visiting MacNeil guards.She heard every word of their heated discussion, and when the trio finally rode out into the gathering dusk, she ran straight back to the Keep with her shocking news.
Within minutes, word had spread through Ferguson Keep like wildfire.Their lady was riding into mortal danger to save the laird's daughter, and the person holding Aidyn said if Sìne did not go alone, they would harm the child.
"We can't let her face this alone," declared Tavish, a clan elder.
"Aye," agreed several others."She and the wee bairn are our kin!"
"But we cannot just ride in there all bluster and make things worse!"another piped in.
"Then we do it quietly," Tavish replied grimly, already reaching for his sword."Send word to the laird.I'll be leading a small group of men to the stones.The rest of ye remain here!"
***
AGAN'S GLEN LAY HALFa mile from Ferguson Keep, a circular clearing surrounded by ancient standing stones centuries old.Local legend claimed it was a place of power, where the veil between worlds grew thin.By the time Sìne reached Agan's Glen, a strange mist had begun to descend over the field.Not the natural fog that often cloaked these lands, but something different.It swirled around the ancient standing stones like a living thing, muffling sound and distorting shadows.
In the center of the circle, she could make out three figures: Bryce Sutherland standing tall and arrogant, Paisley holding something in her arms...
"Aidyn," Sìne breathed, dismounting and running toward the stones.
Her daughter's fussing cries echoed across the glen, the sound tearing at Sìne's heart.The child was reaching for her, little arms extended in desperate plea.
"Let her come to me," Sìne called out as she approached the circle."Please, she's frightened."
Sutherland nodded curtly to Paisley, who stepped forward with obvious reluctance.The moment Aidyn was in her arms, Sìne felt a surge of relief so powerful it nearly brought her to her knees.
"There," Sutherland said with false magnanimity."Ye see?I'm not without mercy.Now, shall we discuss the terms of our exchange?"He looked to a point beyond her and scowled."I thought I told ye to come alone!"
Sìne whipped her head behind her to see it was Ada, clambering toward the stones in the distance.
"Ye said no guards.'Tis just our elderly housekeeper.She is no threat."
Sutherland viewed her warily, and Sìne noticed that Ada seemed to hobble more than she usually did, giving the appearance of a frail woman.
"Well, she better not make trouble, or I'll run her through."
The mist was growing thicker by the moment, swirling around the ancient stones in unnatural patterns.Even Sutherland began to notice it as he looked about.
Then Sìne heard it.The voices.The ones she often talked to back at her little cottage on MacKay land.They were low murmurings at first.
"Paisley," she whispered urgently, "we can escape in this fog.He'll never find us if we run now."
To her surprise, Paisley began to laugh.It was a sound so cold and cruel that it sent ice through Sìne's veins.
"Why would I do that?"Paisley asked, her voice completely different now.No longer the warm, loyal maid but something mocking and malicious.
Understanding crashed over Sìne."No," she whispered."Ye wouldn't..."
"Oh, but I would," Paisley replied, her familiar features twisting into something ugly."Allow me to properly introduce myself, Lady Ferguson.Paisley Sutherland, at yer service.Cousin to Bryce here, and the one who's been working to keep ye from this marriage since the very beginning."
"The rumors," Sìne breathed, the full scope of the betrayal becoming clear."The stories that followed me from MacKay lands..."
"All my handiwork," Paisley confirmed with obvious pride."Every whisper about yer supposed curse, every tale of misfortune that befell those around ye.I spread them like seeds on fertile ground, and they took root beautifully."
