Page 144 of Once Upon A Haunted Castle
He had to get the fire out. Jamie stepped into the room and went to the area where the smoke was thickest. He raised the bucket, about to dowse the fire when he saw an outstretched hand on the floor. Laura.
He threw the water into the fire. Quickly, he picked her up and carried her into the courtyard. Oliver and the soldiers rushed past him in such haste that the water from their buckets sloshed over the rims creating a small river from the trough in the courtyard to the kitchen.
Black soot edged her lips. A fine powder mixed with soot rimmed her nose. He tore her petticoat, ripping off a strip of linen and dowsed it in a bucket of water that stood near. Gently he cleaned off the soot then wiggled her face.
“Laura,” he said keeping his tone even, controlled. She didn’t answer. The thought of her being harmed tore at his insides.
Her eyelids twitched, but didn’t open. He bent close to her then sat back. His left brow rose a fraction. Was that whiskey he smelled?
“Laura. Open your eyes,” he demanded.
Her eyes fluttered open. “Jamie?” He allowed himself to breathe again. He could hardly hear her with her choked and hoarse voice. She tried to sit up and started coughing.
“Stay still.” He held her back.
“The fire’s out. Someone had their wits about them and spread salt to dowse the flames.” Mrs. Turner stood next to him.
Glistening crystal specks on Laura’s skirt caught his attention. “Salt?”
“From the pantry barrel,” Laura said between coughs.
Mrs. Turner bent down to clean Laura’s face. “Deadly nightshade.” She stared at Jamie then rushed toward the kitchen, pushing Oliver and his men out of her way.
Poison. His chest heaved. Who would dare to hurt her? No, he had to stay calm. Whoever did this would pay. Herbert had the gates locked when he left. The culprit was within the castle walls.
Mrs. Turner ran from the kitchen carrying a cup of whiskey.
“This is strong. Drink it slowly,” The housekeeper held the cup while Laura took small sips until she drained it dry. “Lord Herbert’s wife uses deadly nightshade to brighten her eyes. I’ve learned to keep whiskey close by.”
“How did you come to be locked in the pantry?” Jamie asked.
“It’s the ghost, I tell you,” Mrs. Turner said.
“No,” Laura coughed. They waited for the spasm to pass.
“Someone came into the room.” She looked up at Mrs. Turner. “I thought Mary or Jamie came to help me. I couldn’t see in the dim light. He attacked me from behind. I never saw who assaulted me. He pulled me from behind and put a cloth over my face. I struggled, lost my footing and turned over the lantern. That’s what started the fire.”
Oliver came into the courtyard. “I found this on the floor.” He held out a smelly, sooty linen.
Jamie took it from him. He caught a whiff from the rag and his head snapped back is if he’d been slapped.
“Deadly nightshade. Did the attacker say anything to you? Did you see anything? Hand? Clothes?”
“No. The room was dim. He stood in front of the door. The glare behind him made it impossible to see more than a silhouette.”
“Organize a search party and look through every room in the castle for an intruder. Report back to me.” Oliver hurried off.
“Mrs. Turner, take Laura to her room and stay with her.” He held up his hand to ward off Laura’s argument. “I need to know you’re safe while I work with Oliver. Besides, someone should be with you until we’re sure the effects of the poison are gone.”
“I’m fine. Really. I can help you.” She stood up on wobbly legs. Jamie grabbed her before she fell.
“I’ll tell you everything we find, but I need you to be safe.” He brushed her hair out of her eyes. “Go with Mrs. Turner,” he said softly.
She grabbed Jamie’s sleeve. “Don’t let anything happen to you, do you understand?” His hand caressed her face and she closed her eyes at his soothing touch.
“I will do as you command, Lass. I will always do as you command.” He kissed the top of her head.
“Come with me,” Mrs. Turner said. “I’ll get you cleaned up and comfortable. The whiskey will help, but you need rest. You gave me a fright.” The woman steadied Laura as she stood, struggling on weak legs.
“I gave me a fright,” she mumbled.
“Before you leave, did you find anything in the room?” Jamie asked.
“Only this. The intruder tried to get it from me.” She opened her hand.
Jamie removed the rag from the pin. He stared but a moment at the jewel with the black gem in the center before he handed it to Laura. He opened the rag.
Laura gasped. In the center was a bloody handprint. The little finger on the left hand was crooked. Evan’s?
