Page 17 of Duncan

“As you say, my lord. Only how shall he heal the dead? For ’tis how the clan shall end if we dinnae protect ourselves and Caladh.” With a shallow bow to Connal, Fletcher stalked out of the chamber.

“I vow, his temper shall prove the end of him,” Duncan muttered.

“’Tis oft tested of late.” Connal regarded him. “You shouldnae blame him for wishing keep safe the clan and our vassals. Nor can I fault him for suspecting Mistress Fairley. She’s no’ like the other ladies.”

“You’re quick in judging her, my lord—but why?” Duncan demanded. “She’s done naught since she came but tolerate us and all we’ve told her. As for me, I do all I can for the clan and our vassals, yet Fletcher deems my efforts worthless. Ken you how that sets with me?”

Connal nodded. “I shall speak again with Fletcher and, when his head cools, doubtless he shall offer his apologies. Only remember that danger swells ever larger by the day. ’Tis why we’re all on edge. Now, when you first encountered Mistress Fairley last night, didnae she show any sign of the boon the ring bestowed on her?”

He could relate how the lady’s touch had made his own mortal weakness vanish, but that was not what the laird wanted to know. “No, I reckon the boon, ’tisnae manifested in her as yet. Tell me more of your concerns with the lady.”

“Cait Sith may take on the shape and memories of any mortal they slay,” Connal said slowly. “The enchantress, she could teach them some of her Fae spells as well, for they’re half-Therion. ’Tis possible they killed the real Nicole Fairley so a shifter might take her place.”

“She’s no’ a shape-shifter, and she cannae wield magic,” Duncan said flatly.

“The Cait Sith who came and posed as a castaway worked for weeks in the stronghold as a scullery. None of us ever suspected the lad,” the laird countered.

“She swam ashore from the center of the bay.” As Connal frowned he pointed toward the bay. “The shifters cannae abide sea water, nor do they swim. I reckon ’tis their mortal weakness.” When the laird said nothing he demanded, “Shall we take and try drown her in a tide pool, as do the fools on the mainland with their witch tests?”

“If she’s a hybrid, she wouldnae drown,” Connal countered,

He wondered if Fletcher had planted that suspicion because of his own dislike of Nicole. “Then tell me why didnae she tear out my throat when she found me in the dunes.”

“I cannae.” His shoulders slumped, and he dragged a hand through his hair. “I shall ask Valerie if she may read her mind. If she’s a shifter, she cannae hide such from my lady wife.”

Unable to stand in the laird’s presence another moment, Duncan walked out of the chamber. He knew he should return to the infirmary and wait until his temper subsided, but worry over Nicole made him head for the great hall. Once there, he looked around the tables until he saw Shaw sitting with the lady and a group of patrollers; the other women from the future had not yet arrived for the morning meal. Nicole had braided back her apricot hair and tied it with a ribbon, and wore a pretty gown, but she looked pale. As he approached the table he saw the men all offering the lady different foods from their own trenchers.

“I appreciate you sharing, gentlemen, but I really can’t eat that much.” She glanced up as she noticed him standing beside her, and her eyes darkened. “Good morning, Healer MacMar.”

The scent of her rolled over him like a swath of spring air in a garden, and for a moment he thought he would drag her to her feet and kiss her breathless. “My lady.”

Shaw stood. “Take my seat, Duncan. I wish join my wife and Nyall’s lady on patrol.”

“My thanks, Chieftain.” He sat down, and nodded to a maid, who served him a bowl of the vegetable pottage he preferred. “You rise early, Mistress.”

“I didn’t sleep much,” she said, rubbing the back of her neck as if it pained her. “After breakfast I should probably go and take a nap, or I’ll be nodding off all day.”

Why hadn’t she slept? He glanced down and saw the way she had clenched her fist in her lap, her knuckles white. She was trying to hide her fear, more so than she had last night.

In a strange fashion her behavior reassured him. If she had been a Cait Sith or a hybrid, she never would have betrayed her distress like this.

“Come and take refuge in the infirmary after your meal,” he suggested, and gently covered her fist with his hand.

As before, touching her gave him a continuous surge of deep, abiding pleasure, and with it a slight ache in his neck. He certainly had no compulsion to obey her. Connal and Fletcher were completely wrong about Nicole, and he would prove it.

“That’s kind of you to offer.” Nicole didn’t try to avoid his touch, and after a few moments her hand relaxed under his. “I don’t want to get in your way.”

“I shall cover you with a blanket, and tell no one you slumber there.” Looking into her gleaming eyes made him wish he could pick her up and carry her off to his own chamber, so that she might sleep in his arms. “You’re safe with me, my lady.”

Nicole nodded with another of her practiced smiles, and then began to eat a berry-covered oat cake. The morning brew the maids had served, a mild herbal blend sweetened with apple cider, was one that would not keep her awake, Duncan knew. He noticed that she hadn’t touched the meat on her plate, but she did give his pottage several glances.

He offered her a spoonful. “’Tis made with barley, herbs, carrots, onions and parsnips.”

Nicole hesitated before she tasted it. “Oh, it’s delicious.” She gave him a hopeful look. “May I have a bowl of that, too?”

A few moments later she was happily eating her own portion, and dipping the oatcakes into the broth as well. Pleased that she liked the same fare he ate every morning, he watched her dine, as did the patrollers seated with them. Lady Valerie passed by their table, and nodded to Duncan as she eyed Nicole, but when he shook his head at her she didn’t linger. At the laird’s table she sat down with Lark, some of the senior garrison chieftains and Nyall, who gave him a dour look but then inclined his head.

The laird heeded my assurances, he thought, relieved now. I need only convince Fletcher so he shall leave the lady alone.