Page 81 of Kidnapped by a Rogue
She turned when one of the maids tapped her on the shoulder.
“I’ve done everything I know to help them,” the maid said, wringing her hands. “Una is wise in matters of healing. Could ye ask her to come?"
“Of course. I’ll fetch her now,” Margaret said.
She was relieved to see Ella safely ensconced in their chamber, lying on her pallet and listening to Una’s stories behind the barred door. While Una went down to the earl and Helen’s chamber, Margaret rocked her sleepy daughter on her lap. After all that had happened, it was such a comfort to hold her that tears came to her eyes.
“I love ye so much,” she murmured as she rubbed her check against the top of Ella’s head. “You’re a blessing.”
“Where’s Finn?” Ella asked, looking up at her.
Through the narrow window, she heard the wind and rain pounding against the thick walls of the castle. She prayed silently that Finn and Alex would reach Dunrobin safely.
“He’ll be back tonight,” she said as she brushed a curl behind Ella’s ear.
Ella smiled and laid her head down. She was sound asleep in Margaret’s arms when Una returned.
“Ye weren’t gone long,” Margaret said.
“They don’t need a healer,” Una said. “They’ll be dead in two days’ time, and nothing can be done about it.”
Margaret gave a sigh as a wave of sadness washed over her. “I’ll go sit with them.”
She laid Ella on her sleeping pallet, careful not to wake her, and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek.
“Let this be a lesson to ye,” Una said, stopping her at the door. “Ye never know how long either of ye have in this world.”
“What if I can’t bear the loss that comes after?” Margaret asked.
“Pain and sorrow come to us all,” Una said, patting Margaret’s hand. “But fear will lead ye to miss the joy.”
Una’s words went around and around Margaret’s head as she sat at the bedside of the dying couple. And theyweredying. The most she could do for them was ease their suffering by wiping their brows. Every hour or so, she looked up to find Isabel standing in the doorway, her piercing black eyes fixed on her brother- and sister-in-law.
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Finn and Alex rode through the storm at a reckless pace on the muddy trail along the coast. Finn was determined to get his cousin to Dunrobin before whoever was behind the poisoning had time to send men after them to finish the job. Luckily, they both had ridden this trail between Helmsdale and Dunrobin countless times and knew every dip and curve. It was growing dark, however, and the storm was pounding in their faces and blowing debris on the trail.
“Fallen tree!” he shouted. He leaned low overCeò’s neck as his horse sailed over it, then turned to make sure Alex’s horse cleared it too.
All through the treacherous ride, questions spun through Finn’s head. Who was behind this heinous act? How many were involved in the plot? Plenty of men had reason to seek vengeance against his uncle. But if the intent was to erase his family and leave no Gordon heir to Sutherland, that bespoke of both hatred and ambition.
Finn was more than glad to hear the Dunrobin Castle gate bang closed behind them. After gathering everyone into the great hall, Finn watched their faces as he told them about the poisoning of their laird and his wife. Was someone here party to this crime? Someone whose look of shock was not caused by the news about Alex’s parents but by Alex’s escape?
“Every one of ye must be vigilant to protect your laird’s heir,” Finn said. “I want four men guarding his door at night.”
With four, they could keep watch on each other.
“You and you,” he said, pointing at two warriors at random, “will taste Alex’s food and drink before it’s served to him.”
Finn was anxious to return to Helmsdale. After speaking briefly with the man his uncle had left in charge of the castle, he drew Alex aside to bid him goodbye. His cousin looked young and scared.
“You’ll be safe here,” Finn said, and squeezed his shoulder.
“Whether my parents are alive or…no,” Alex said, choking on the words, “I want them brought home to Dunrobin.”
Finn prayed his aunt and uncle would live, but he would not give Alex false hope by assuring him his parents would survive.
“It may not be wise to move them right away,” Finn said. “But I’ll return with them as soon as I can.”
