A Highlander In Peril (Gunn Guardsman) (15 page)

“What is it? Does someone come?” Frances quickly pressed her skirts back into place, covering herself.

“Mayhap.
It could be one of the search parties. I thought I saw something. Await me.” Sean rose and headed in the direction he thought he’d seen the gleam come from. During the ride, he hadn’t noticed anything out of place, no leaf, twig, branch, bush, nothing.

As he got closer to where he thought the gleam came from, he heard voices. Sean pulled his sword free, but the closer he got to the group, the less defensive he became.

Four men, one of whom was Jacob, his steward, stood in a circle. He approached and made out a bright blue fabric on the ground. His pace slowed, not because he was wary, but because he was suddenly struck that they might have found one of the missing lassies.

“Jacob, what is it?” Sean really didn’t need to ask, because he realized what he was looking at.

Two of the men that rode with Jacob began retching into the grass. Jacob stood numb, shaking his head.

“’Tis not our lass, my lord.
Sabine has lighter hair. This lass has reddish and much longer than our lassie’s.” Jacob knelt and pointed to an object in her hand, a weathered stem from some sort of flower. It had darkened to almost black and there were no remnants of its petals.

“Strange.”

“What is it?” Frances called from afar. She stood between two trees watching them.

“Stay there. I’ll return in a minute.” Sean knelt next to his steward and studied the flesh and bones of the woman. He could tell it was a she given her garments. The bright blue gown was soiled from being out in the elements. He couldn’t tell right off how she’d died, but then he noticed where the gleam came from as Jacob stood and his sword metal blinded him for a moment. “Winifred?”

Jacob grunted. “I know not, my lord, for I never met the lass.”

Sean knelt near the body to remove a small ruby ring. Her skin rigid and he had to pull with force to remove it. He grew grim looking at the corpse, for she’d been dead for some time. There was only one way to find out if it was Frances’ friend.

He marched back to where she stood and thrust out the ring. “Do you know if this belonged to Winifred?”

She took it from him and studied it. Frances’ eyes began filling with tears and he felt worse than the lowest form of evil for bringing despair to her.

“It is hers. Her mother gave it to her on her tenth birthday, just before she died. Winifred cherished it. Is she … Is she there? I must go to her.” She tried to set off, but he stopped her.

Sean pulled her back against him. “Frances, she’s gone. There is nothing we can do for her. Come, I’ll take you home, and I’ll return with James and some others. We’ll figure out what happened to her.”

“Will you take her to the Lombard holding? I don’t want to leave her here alone.” She sniffled, but remarkably kept an unaffected look on her face.

“Aye, we’ll convey her to her father, and he’ll give her a proper burial and lay the lass to rest in peace.” His words caused her to cry into her hands, and he pulled her closer. “I’m sorry, my love, I know she was your friend.”

Jacob approached and stood a few feet from them. “My lord, best take my lady home. I’ll stay with the body until you return.”

“Aye, Jacob, I’ll make haste. Don’t disturb anything and await me before you move her.”

“She was the dearest, sweetest friend …” Frances turned and tugged on his hand to get him to walk beside her.

Sean stopped her, took her face in his hands, and looked her in the eyes. “I will take vengeance on whoever did this, Frances. That I vow.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Sean paced the hall, watching apprehensively at the entrance. He was hesitant to leave Frances, but there were things to be done. As he waited for James, he consoled his wife yet again. His life had become more complicated but he couldn’t blame Frances for that. None of the happenings were her fault.

“I’ve changed my mind, and want you to stay. Must you go? Can you not send another?” She’d asked him that same question twice already since they arrived home after finding Winifred.

Sean pulled her toward the window casement, hoping a breeze would cool them. The room grew close and with them both beset by what they’d seen, he didn’t want either of them to become ill-tempered from the heat. Not this day. He’d offer what comfort he could to her while Benson relayed his message to James.

His comrade was instructing two seasoned soldiers on their new duty, to stand guard within the keep’s entrance. James insisted he be relieved of the duty because Davy drove him daft and he couldn’t take being in the old man’s presence. Sean understood and when James made the suggestion, he’d assigned him to finding two reliable men.

With a light brush to France’s head with his lips, he held her gently. “I must go. Would you trust another to see to your friend?”

Her body became unyielding in his arms. “I … You’re right, I wouldn’t trust another. I just don’t want you to leave me. This is all too … frightening.”

Sean tensed at her words. It was the first time she’d admitted her fear and he didn’t want to be away from her either. “I will ensure your friend is taken home and given a proper burial and return
as hastily as I can. I need James to look at the … to come with me for he’ll be able to tell us things about …” Sean wanted to refrain from saying outright why he wanted James along because he knew it would upset her.

“Sean, I … I am so gladdened you’re here.”

Without saying why, he knew. He could only imagine what she’d be going through if he wasn’t there. Holding her close, he tried to reassure her that everything would be well.

James entered the hall and stopped short. “Should I come back later?”

Sean released Frances and shook his head. “Frances, I will return. Don’t leave the keep for any reason. Benson will protect you until I return. There will be men posted around the keep too, so worry not.”

Her voice lowered to a morose tone. “I cannot help but worry. Don’t be long.”

He kissed her face, just beside her ear. “I’ll come back soon. Try not to despair.” Sean left the hall with James following. He headed outside and stood for a moment, enjoying the breeze that whipped at his tartan.

“What’s amiss?” James waited patiently.

“I need you to take a ride with me. I’ll ready the horses. Set four men to guard the keep and ask Benson to see to Frances until our return. Meet me at the stables.”

Sean would find out how the lass died. He was appeased that he’d kept James from returning to Gunn land. James took to studying medicinal practices and had a liking for dissection. He could figure out poisonous substances and matters of death given a bit of time and he was an excellent tracker. Sean envied him the talents, but it was extraneous to him for he was better with words and his sword.

Without question, James set off, and Sean strode toward the stable. As he passed his clansmen and women, he noticed how they moved out of his way. They didn’t trust him for he hadn’t given him any reason to yet. Sean wanted their trust and respect, but that would come in time. Eventually, they’d accept him.

He reached the stables and noticed Angus lazing near the wall, where another lad tended to a field horse.

“Angus, I meant to ask where you put the package I bought back from my journey to Selkirk.” Sean decided to ride another horse and would give his a rest. He selected a brown destrier, one that was smaller given he was at least seventeen hands high.

“Oh, aye, my lord, I put it in the hall. Do ye want me to retrieve it for you?”

“Nay, I’ll get it myself when I return. Ready another horse.” Sean would have to get the package and see that it was given to Frances. Mayhap it would cheer her. She’d need some joy after their discovery this day.

James came shortly after the horses were brought out. They stomped the ground with their hooves, anxious to be on their way too. Sean considered taking a few men with him, and decided to have two others ride with he and James. The two soldiers hurried to ready their horses and appeared prideful that he’d asked them.

Sean walked slowly toward the gate, leading his horse, to give them time to catch up.

“Where are we going?” James finally asked.

He gave his friend a subtle look, because he was hesitant to speak of the atrocity within the walls. Ears were everywhere and he wasn’t sure he wanted anyone to know yet what they’d found. Word would reach the village soon enough and incite their suspicion. The last thing they needed was a village full of revenge seekers.

Outside the gate, he sat atop his horse, as did James, and they waited for the two guardsmen.

“Jacob and a few men led a search for Sabine. They found a body in the woods.”

James’ expression turned grim. “Was it the village lass?”

Sean shook his head. The two guardsmen finally rode through the gate and they started their trek.

“Nay, Frances identified the lass. It was Winifred, her friend, Lord Lombard’s daughter.”

A scowl fixed on James’ brow. “I heard rumors and they’ve become rife since Sabine’s gone missing. The clan’s people are becoming fearful. They’re going to band together soon and go out with torches and any weapon they can find for their anger is justified.”

“They’ve a right to. One of their lassies is missing, possibly murdered. We’d do the same. Were you with Sabine?” The last was spoken in Gaelic, for he didn’t want the men riding with them to hear their discussion. Sean didn’t want to ask his friend such a personal question, but it needed asking.

“A noble man never tells tales out of the bedroom.”

Sean could’ve laughed at such absurdity, but he kept his laughter at bay. “Shit, James, this is no time to jest. There are grave matters at hand. Were you? I saw you looking at her and
she at you. The lass was betrothed and if you were with her …”

“You know me better than that, Sean. Nay, I wanted her, but the lass said she was to wed and I would never … There is someone … else I’m interested in.”

“I’m relieved to hear this.” The last thing Sean wanted was his friend accused of adultery or ill-deeds, even mayhap being involved in Sabine’s disappearance. Since the lass was still missing, questions would be raised.

Sean was left to wonder who that someone else was, because James could be tight-lipped when it came to such matters. He wouldn’t tell him who gained his interest.

“They haven’t found her yet?” James grew grim again.

“Nay and it’s becoming serious.” Sean led his horse in the direction of the forest where Jacob and the others waited. He bid them not to disturb anything, but to await him.

“Perchance the lass changed her mind and decided not to marry her betrothed. Happens all the time,” James said. “Many a lass is fearful of marriage.”

“I doubt it because she would have told someone. No one has seen her. She vanished.”

“Aye, ‘tis strange.” James followed as he rounded a bend of trees. “Men found Frances’ friend. Why did you want me along?”

“I thought you could tell me how she died. You always were the best at deciphering … at least, the best of all of us.” Sean kept up the pace and considered his words. James definitely was of a mind to look beyond the obvious. He also had patience which none of the other guardsmen possessed.

Nearing the clearing where the men stood, Sean slowed and noticed Jacob walking the outlying perimeter. He and James dismounted, as did the two others, and they waited for Jacob to reach them.

“My lord, I found a few odd things around the body.”

“Show us. James is here to help.” Sean motioned for Jacob to lead the way.

Jacob knelt close to the body and they leaned in.

“Her undergarments are here,” he said, and displaced a bit of debris covering the cloth with a stick.

“Whoever did this took his time and placed them with care. He was undisturbed and took his leisure,” James said, assessing the area. “It’s remote.”

Sean agreed by nodding. “Why would he place them so neatly and carefully?”

“He cared about her,” this came from Jacob.

James took the stick and lifted the hem of her gown, which had risen to the base of her knees. He lifted the fabric higher and lowered his head to look beneath.

“
There’s no abrasions on her legs or any indication that she’d been fleeing.” He moved to where her head was and crouched. “Her eyes were closed when she died.” James continued to study the body, and when Sean tried to ask him a question, James held up a hand.

He should’ve known better than to interrupt him when he was studying. Sean and the others waited in silence.

“She’s been poisoned. Aye, see the black roughness of her lips? I deem it was either belladonna or thorn apple seeds.” James continued to inspect the body.

Sean knelt next to him and noticed the blackened of her lips as well. “What is the significance of the stem?”

James used the stick and tried to dislodge it from her hands. When it came free, he picked it up and pieces fell away from its brittleness. “It’s from a rose, there are thorns. It was a thick flower given the width of the stem, fully grown.”

“Anything else of significance?”
Sean frowned at the scene. For even though there was no evidence of blood, it was still gruesome.

“Aye, there’s a piece of her gown missing, near the bottom of the hem. He cut it away and took a piece of her garment as remembrance.”

“He loved her,” this came from Jacob, who stood a few inches behind them.

“We need to find out who she was involved with before her death. There had to be someone. Frances said Lombard’s steward, Bantrum, had a fondness for Winifred. Mayhap he killed her. We’ll have to look into it.” Sean realized none of the men showed their true regard for what they looked at.
Except for the few men who wouldn’t move forward and stood afar. One of them continued to retch at the base of a nearby tree.

“I don’t see any wounds and no blood stains on her garments,” James said. He removed his tartan and set it on the ground. He started to roll the body over onto the fabric, and Sean hastened to help. James searched the back of her body for wounds or sign of death, but didn’t remark on any.

Sean helped to lift her body and set it on the tartan. James wrapped her and he helped carry and secure her to a horse. Once they returned to the spot where she’d lain, James stared, seemingly in his own mind.

“Is there anything else of note?” Sean asked him.

James nodded. “Aye, she was killed when it was cold.”

“How do you know that?” Jacob asked.

“There was no growth beneath her when she was set here. The grass had died off long before.”

“Do you deem she was killed elsewhere and placed here?” Sean realized James was right, for there nothing was beneath her and he wondered if the killer had cleared the spot. “It is isolated here. No one would have seen her unless they happened upon her as did you, Jacob.”

James held his chin, in deep thought and then spoke, “She was somewhat protected by the elements, with the large tree trunks blocking the wind from ravaging her.”

“It doesn’t appear that animals got to her.” Sean didn’t like this one bit, not one wee bit.

James grunted. “I’d say she’s been dead many months. Because of where she’d been placed, she was kept dry and safe. Her skin is decayed and yet not as much as I’d assume, unless she’d been put here in late winter. She was positioned here on purpose.”

“He wanted to protect her,” this came from Jacob.

“But he didn’t want us to find her. Let us get her home.” Sean was glad he’d kept Frances away, for she would have been deeply affected by the sight.

He walked next to James and they went to the stream to wash their hands. Both remained silent.

Sean led the men from the area and at the cross trail in the field, he bade the Hume men return home. He, James, and Jacob rode toward Lombard land.

The late afternoon sun began to retreat below the tree line and yet the ground still heated. Spring was turning into summer, and warmth began to irritate them. Lombard land appeared and with it the large wall surrounding the keep. Night would soon be approaching and he wanted to make it home before then.

When they advanced, Sean bid the men to await him by the gate. He wanted to meet Lord Lombard by himself. He didn’t want to impart such disparaging news with others present. He entered the manor and was met by Bantrum, the tall man who oversaw Lord Lombard’s keep. Sean wanted to interrogate the man, but this was not the time. His plan would aid him in finding out if the man was the murder.

“I must see your lord.”

“He’s not here.” He showed him to the door.

Sean gripped the man’s tunic and shoved him against the wall. As tall as the man was, he was no match for Sean’s strength.