Page 17 of Deception

“A woman who has some ability that interests him, like Gwen and Helena. There is Blair, she is very good with a bow, but I have no idea what Malcolm intends for her. Any girl that enters Glenwood Abbey has no one, or has been left there, which is the same. If Malcolm decides he likes one of the lasses, he offers her some sort of reward to work for him. But I know there is more to it than that. He makes threats.”

“Threats?” Jacob asked.

“Aye, the lasses have nowhere to go but Glenwood Abbey—which means they have no one to protect them.”

He’d never heard of such a thing. A woman as a spy was ingenious. No one would suspect her. A whore, well, she could be passed around to Malcom’s friends or even his men as a reward. What might he use a woman to steal?

A sudden knock came to the door.

“Enter,” Jacob called.

The door opened and a warrior stepped inside. “MacKinnon, Lyle wants to see you and Lady Alison in his chambers immediately.”

Fear twisted through Jacob. Lyle was dying.

He nodded, then said to Linnae. “Come, Lady Alison.” He cupped her elbow and hurried her from the room and down the hall to Lyle’s chambers. He entered and, to his surprise, found the room brightly lit. Richard and Reams both stood near the bed, and Jacob caught sight of the priest standing just behind Reams.

Lyel lay propped against pillows.

Jacob released Linnae and stepped up to the bed.

“There you are, lad.” Lyel shifted a gnarled hand and motioned to Linnae. “Come closer, child.” He spoke in a whisper, but Linnae must have heard, for she stepped up beside Jacob.

Lyel looked at Jacob. “You didnae tell me my granddaughter’s carriage had been attacked.”

“Nae.” Jacob shook his head. “I will deal with her attackers.”

“You have three men in the dungeon.”

Jacob nodded, and cursed silently. Richard had told Lyle everything.

Lyel grimaced in pain, but said, “It was the Donalds?”

“Aye, Malcom Donald.”

“Michael had a hand in her death.” It wasn’t a question.

“God’s Teeth, Lyel, I wanted ye to die in peace,” Jacob muttered.

“Do what I tell you and I will. The priest will marry you and my granddaughter now,” Lyel said.

Linnae gasped.

Lyel reached a trembling hand toward her. For an instant, Jacob feared she wouldn’t take it and would confess all in front of so many witnesses. But she did grasp Lyle’s hand.

“Sit,” he said in a quiet voice.

She glanced at Jacob in supplication, but sat beside Lyle on the mattress.

Lyel smiled gently at her. “I know the wedding was set for a week from today. But time to get to know Jacob is a luxury we cannot afford.” He drew a ragged breath and Jacob wondered if he would last through the ceremony. “I want to see you married, to see our clans united. The Donalds must understand that it isnae only the MacKenzie clan that will seek revenge on anyone who harms ye, but the MacKinnons, as well.” With his free hand, he patted the delicate hand he gripped. “You understand, aye?”

Jacob tensed in readiness for her answer.

She glanced again at Jacob. He gave her a small nod, then she returned her attention to Lyle and said, “Aye, Grandfather. I understand.”

He shifted slightly and his eyes met Jacob’s. “And you, lad, ye swear to me that you will marry her no matter what?”

Jacob’s heart raced. Here was the promise that would bind him to Linnae for life.