Page 7 of Deception

“She wore fine clothes for a serving girl.”

Jacob met his gaze squarely. “Did anyone else notice?”

Reams shrugged. “No one said anything.

Jacob gave a cut nod. “Say nothing to anyone.”

Surprise flicked in Reams’s eyes, but he said, “Bury them in the cemetery?”

Jacob hesitated. He should send Lady Alison home, but to do so would bring her brother to their doorstep before Jacob was ready for anyone to know that the woman in Lady Alison’s chambers wasn’t Lady Alison. He needed answers before others asked their questions. God’s Teeth, once the truth was known, her father would be furious.

Jacob sighed. “Their families will want them buried at home. Have their bodies prepared for burial. I’ll ask Lady Alison for their names and where the bodies should be sent.”

Reams nodded. “Do ye want me to send more men to assist in the search for their attackers?”

Jacob finished his ale. “Not yet. If the men havenae returned after the evening meal, I will go myself. Have Richard send men to scout the area around the castle. If Dòmhnall is behind the attack, he might have more of his warriors prowling the area.”

“Of course, he was behind the attack,” Reams said with heat. “Twenty years of feuding with the bastard is enough. It’s time we pay him a visit.”

Richard stepped from the stairwell to the left and headed toward them.

“We will be seeing the Donald soon enough,” Jacob said.

Richard reached them and said, “Laird MacKenzie has a message for ye.”

Jacob straightened. “What is amiss?”

Richard’s expression clouded. “Nothing new. He is the same, but he wishes for ye to wed Lady Alison immediately. He wants to see his granddaughter wed before he dies.”

Jacob silently cursed. Originally, they were to wed in a week. He should have known Lyel would remain his usual demanding self.

“When?” he asked.

“Tomorrow.”

* * *

When Linnae steppedfrom the stairs into the great hall, all eyes turned toward her and the room abruptly quieted. She caught sight of Jacob standing near the hearth. He broke off conversation with Richard and looked over his shoulder at her. Surprise flashed across his face. Warmth crept up her cheeks. Was he angry that she was wearing Lady Alison’s clothes? The vibrant, red velvet gown she wore was finer than the day dress Lady Alison had given her—finer than anything she’d ever thought to wear. Grace had insisted on pulling her honey blonde hair into a soft bun atop her head, with curls framing her face. She looked as fine as Lady Alison would have. Tears pricked, but she drew herself up and started toward Jacob. Her embarrassment grew when the men parted and allowed her to pass.

Jacob met her halfway across the room. “My lady.” He bowed slightly.

“You are no’ angry I wore—” She broke off before saying Lady Alison’s clothes.

“Beautiful clothes for a beautiful woman,” he said in a voice loud enough that she realized he intended for others to hear.

She started to drop her gaze, but the warning look in his eyes stopped her. She lifted her chin as she’d seen Lady Alison do, and said, “You are too kind, Laird.” A corner of his mouth twitched in amusement and she added in a whisper, “Ye are laughing at me.”

He slipped her hand into the crook of his arm and smiled down at her. Her stomach did a somersault. Her legs felt like pudding as he led her across the room. When she realized he was headed to the dais, she thought her legs would give way altogether. He covered the hand grasping his arm and gently squeezed as they climbed the three steps. The murmur of voices returned to a low din and she was glad, at least, that it seemed they’d forgotten her, if only for a little while. Who amongst those in the great hall would be the first to realize she wasn’t Lady Alison? Jacob stopped beside the chair to the right of the central chair and waited until she was seated before sitting beside her.

Jacob leaned toward her and said, “It must give ye great comfort to be here again.”

She frowned. “I have never been here before.”

“Aye, lass, you have.”

She nibbled on her bottom lip. His eyes dropped to her mouth and she blurted, “Have ye heard from your men?”

His eyes snapped up to meet hers. “Nae. But dinnae fear, they will find the cowards who attacked your carriage.”