Page 52 of Highland Spirit

“Perhaps,” he said, knowing Caleb was probably right. “Come on, Trapper, mayhap ye’ll be more help to me than Caleb. That is, if ye can sniff out somethin’ besides food.”

When he got to the door, Alana was standing there holding Isobel as she talked with Kirstine. Finn disappeared into the kitchen to talk with the few servants that were present.

“So . . . when exactly does everyone return?” he asked. “I’d like to meet this Diarmad who ye say is Laird of Blackbriar.”

Kirstine and Alana exchanged worried glances.

“I think I’d better check and make sure Finn isna up to any trouble. Excuse me,” said Kirstine, leaving them and heading for the kitchen.

“Alana, we need to talk,” said Ethan.

“It’s time for me to put Isobel down for a nap.”

“Well, when ye’re finished, I have some questions for ye, Wife. Questions that ye will no longer avoid. I want answers.”

“Husband, ye are in my home now, and I will no’ have ye demandin’ anythin’ from me.” By the look on her face, there was no doubt he could have handled this in a manner that was a bit more subtle.

“We are married now, Alana,” he reminded her. “A husband and wife should never have secrets from each other. Dinna ye agree?”

She hesitated for a second before answering. “Of course,” she said, flashing a smile.

“Then tell me somethin’. What is this for and why were ye wearin’ it around yer neck?” He pulled her key out from the sporran – small pouch – attached to his waist. He’d taken it from her pocket and she’d never even known it. But he’d needed to get a better look at it and he figured she’d never hand it over willingly. Holding it up by the string connected to it, he dangled it in front of her nose.

“My key!” she said in surprise, slapping at her chest as if she’d forgotten she no longer wore it and had put it in her pocket when they were married. “Give it to me.” She reached out to grab it from him, but he quickly snatched it away.

“I’ll hold on to this until ye put our daughter down for her nap. Dinna tarry, Wife. I’ll be waitin’ to talk with ye.” He shoved the key back into his sporran.

“Excuse me,” she said and left the great hall with Isobel in her arms.

“Well, I guess it’s up to ye and me now, Trapper,” he said, looking down at his dog. “Let’s take a walk out in the courtyard and then up to the battlements and see what we can find.”

Chapter 13

“Hurry, get in here,” said Alana, pulling her sister into the chamber after she’d laid Isobel down for a nap.

“What are we goin’ to do?” asked Kirstine. “Ethan canna stay here. It’s too dangerous. Diarmad will return any day. And when he does, he will kill Ethan and Caleb.”

“I ken,” answered Alana, thinking now that this was a big mistake to let him bring her to the castle. “Plus, I’m no’ sure Diarmad willna hurt us as well. Or Faither. However, I couldna stop Ethan from comin’.”

“Well, ye’re goin’ to have to tell him somethin’.” Kirstine groaned and laid a hand on her belly, making a face. “He is very suspicious and is walkin’ around the courtyard as we speak. Albert said to tell ye to do yer thing and scare him away.” Kirstine made another noise, rubbing her belly, holding on to the spindle of the bed for support.

“I can try,” said Alana. “But it doesna feel right. After all, he is my husband.”

“But it’s for his own guid,” she answered. “If he stays here he might get killed.” This time, Kirstine started breathing heavily, and sat down on the edge of the bed, still rubbing her belly.

“Kirstine, what’s the matter? Is it time for yer bairn to be born?”

“I dinna ken,” she said, seeming worried. “I think it is too early yet, but I’ve been feelin’ contractions.”

“The time is gettin’ closer. Yer bairn could be born any time now. Ye need to rest and stay off yer feet.”

“Mayhap ye’re right, Sister. I dinna want to lose another child.”

“Ye stay here with Isobel. I’ll play the part of the ghost again to scare away Ethan and Caleb, although I despise doin’ it. I ken how frightened Ethan is of ghosts ever since he saw one as a child. It doesna seem right to use his weakness against him.”

“It’s for his own guid,” Kirstine reminded her once again. “We have no choice but to do it.”

“Finn will have to be sure to pick up the dummy as soon as I throw it out the tower window and scream. I dinna want Ethan to find it.”