Page 138 of Once Upon A Haunted Castle
Chapter Six
Jamie walked intothe solar, a small, more intimate room that the Great Hall. A large red and green wool carpet, with the Maxwell medallion woven into the center covered the floor. Tapestries of gardens hung on the whitewashed wall. A variety of leather chairs and benches were positioned around the fireplace. Herbert sat at the table eat his morning meal.
“Laura’s not here?” Jamie glanced around the room.
“She ran off to speak to Angel’s mother,” Herbert dipped his bread into the honey. “That girl is determined to help the spirit find peace.”
“Faith,” Jamie ran his hand through his hair, a habit he did only when exasperated, which lately, happened much too often.
“Yes, she can be a handful. Like her mother when she was a girl. The two of use always seemed to get into something.” Herbert’s face broke into a wide smile. “The two of you are at odds. When I mentioned you’d be joining us, she ate quickly and made her excuse.”
“She’s obstinate and headstrong.” He paced in front of The Maxwell and told him everything. This was a conversation he didn’t want to have. For years, he’d hidden his feelings for Laura. It was the reason he grabbed the opportunity to stay with Herbert.
“I know a young man who has much the same temperament.” Herbert, his eyes twinkling toyed with a letter.
Jamie paced in front of the man he respected for his leadership as well as his devotion to the people under his care and his family. Herbert knew him better than most people except where Laura was concerned. For years he’d hidden his feelings for Laura from everyone. Eighteen months ago he welcomed the opportunity to join Herbert at Caerlaverock rather than remain at Cumgour and fulfilling his duty to The Maxwell there.
It was the day before Richard left to serve his king in Wales. Glen Kirk’s Great Hall was filled with people celebrating him leading Glen Kirk soldiers, but Laura walked into the room he couldn’t breathe. It was more than the hunter green velvet gown that showed off every fine curve of her body or the soft cascade of rich, glowing auburn waves that hung over her shoulder. He didn’t have to look at her to know where she was in the room. He knew as if she was an extension of himself.
“It’s not that I don’t like her. Truth be told, she attracts me like no other.” His voice trailed off as he reflected. “Sometimes I want to throttle her.” Other times we want to hold her in his arms and never let her go. He turned toward his uncle.
“Yes, she’s headstrong, but you should have seen her confront Mitchell’s men. She didn’t flinch then or when the reivers’ attacked. Laura may have been scared, but she was confident and calm.” She’d make a man proud, but she was not for him. “She’ll make a warrior a good wife.”
“You’re a warrior.”
He hoped to God he wasn’t. It wasn’t in his nature.
“I’m a farmer.” It was a simple declaration.
Herbert slowly let out a breath. “There are times farmers need to be warriors.”
Jamie had nothing to say to that. It was a truthful statement.
“She’s Richard’s sister. I can’t think of her that way. Richard would skewer me.”
“Are you so sure? She’s not a child. She’s four years younger than you. Laura has turned into a very beautiful, capable woman. And regarding Richard, you’re the first, and maybe the only, person he’d trust with his Laura. Think about it.” He tossed the letter to the side.
Laura. She championed him at every turn. Could there be more to their friendship? Up until this journey they easily spoke to each other. Now, every word was a challenge. No. Her interests weren’t with him. She was Richard’s sister. It would would never work. They’d kill each other before the wedding night. “I said, Captain Oliver has returned and I’ve some news concerning our other issue.”
“I said, Oliver has made some inquiries. There’s unrest in the villages along the River Nith. Two suspicious fires destroyed as many granaries. For some reason, the villagers have blamed me. I’m accused of taking their grain and setting the fires to cover up my theft. The fact that it’s my land and my grain is lost to them.”
Herbert passed him the warm, crusty bread, honey and decanter of wine. Jamie tore off a piece of bread and dipped it into the honey.
“I sent grain to the villagers out of concern,” Herbert said. “They complained there wasn’t enough for everyone. I gave them as much as I dared. I can’t deplete our limited stores. To protect them, Oliver organized a patrol, but the villagers twisted that to mean they’re being watched. They harass the men.”
“No matter what you do the villagers find fault. Have you spoken to any of your farmers?” Herbert was vexed and for good reason. This wasn’t the typical behavior for the villagers under his care. The disruption had to be coming from the outside.
“Oliver has been busy putting down disputes in my absence. I’d speak to Jack, however, now is not the time what with Evan’s death. It’s difficult for a father to lose a son under any circumstances.”
“This all may be to stir the people against you, part of Donald’s warning. That would suggest the disruption is coming from within the castle, a traitor. I’d like to work with Oliver to find the betrayer. There’s no time to lose. Donald said something may happen in the next several days.” Didn’t Herbert see he was more valuable to him looking for the traitor than playing the courtier to Laura.
“I’m glad to see Laura.” Herbert stared at the table as if there was an answer carved in the wood. “But would rather she wasn’t here.”
Jamie had a sinking feeling. He didn’t like the sudden turn in the conversation. Herbert shook his head. “Until we get to the root of the matter, we need to keep her inside our walls. She’s titled and English, a bigger target than me. The fact that the raider gave his life to get to you and her worries me. We both know that girl well enough to know she won’t accept being protected by any of my soldiers. With your closeness to her, you’re the only man she’ll tolerate. And before you say anything, want you inside the walls as well. Your neutral position with the English is well known and makes you as vulnerable as being sympathetic to their cause. I’d rather we keep this between us. She doesn’t need to know.”
“Yes. I understand.” He should be honored The Maxwell thought so highly of him. He should have been glad he stayed behind the wall. He was a farmer, not a warrior. Then why was he bristling, eager to be in the thick of things? He finished his wine and calmed. The very nature of a traitor was to draw you in, earn your trust, a most sacred thing, then use that trust against you. To him, traitors were the lowest of the low and had no place in his world. Jamie took a piece of bread and rose to leave.
“You’ll find her in the kitchen. I gave her the key. It remains locked up tight. I found it interesting. Our ghost appears to be shy lately. He hasn’t materialized since you and Laura arrived. Maybe all we need to do is keep her here.”
