“He is not my—”
She silenced him with a hand on his mouth before leaning close enough to whisper in his ear.
He shot her a triumphant look before turning away.
She smiled up at Colin. “My brother’s blood runs hot with the hunt. But when he has had time to cool his temper, he will realize how deeply he has hurt his brother-laird.”
She turned to the lads, who continued to hold the bloody carcass of the stag, and dared to give orders like a queen. “Do with this as the laird instructs you.”
She lifted her skirts and turned away, with the other women gathering around her and chattering like geese as they made their way to the lodge.
And all the while, Colin sat stone-faced on his horse, watching as Ian disappeared inside the stable.
When they were alone, Beth reached over to touch a hand to Colin’s arm. “I fear for your safety. There is something I need to tell you. Something I overheard that troubles me . . .”
He seemed unaware of her words as he turned in the saddle to Jamie. “You will tally the kill, so that we may reward our hunters at the banquet this night.”
Beth looked stunned. “After that scene with Ian, you would hold a banquet?”
“It is customary for the laird to offer his guests a feast and to reward those who deserve it.”
“But . . .”
He silenced her with a wave of his hand before slipping from the saddle to take her reins. “Forgive me, my lady. I know you are troubled, as am I.” He helped her dismount and closed a hand over hers, squeezing it gently as though to reassure her.
He leaned close to press a kiss to her cheek. “Go inside now and allow Maura and the servants to help you bathe and dress for tonight’s banquet.”
“And you?” She looked up into his eyes and saw something dark and dangerous before he managed to blink it away.
“I, also, must prepare.”
He turned away.
While Jamie began leading the horses toward the stable, Colin turned toward the gardens, his head bowed, his manner thoughtful.
Though Beth yearned to go after him, she knew she had to respect his need for privacy.
As she entered the lodge and climbed the stairs to her room, her thoughts were in turmoil. She fully intended to warn Colin about the threat she’d overheard. If he chose to scoff at it, she would do whatever it took to convince him to take it seriously. She was more convinced than ever that his life was truly in danger.
Ian’s hatred was now so out of control, he’d revealed it to the entire company. Only a man bent on violence would show such utter disrespect to a much-loved Highland laird.
The look in Ian’s eyes in that moment before Edwina intervened spoke volumes about what was truly in his heart.
There was darkness in that young man’s soul. He’d seemed, in that moment, the personification of evil.
Beth’s hands were cold as she stepped into her room. She nearly groaned aloud at the number of people milling about. Old Maura was giving orders to the serving girls as they filled a round tub with steaming water and set folded linens to one side. The bed was piled high with brightly colored gowns and shawls and delicate underpinnings. Another servant stood beside a dressing table, where she would prepare the lady’s hair for the evening’s festivities.
As Beth allowed them to attend to her needs, she forced herself to smile and nod and pretend that all was fine. But her heart was heavy with the thought that at this very moment Colin could be facing great peril.
She was desperate to finish this charade and go to him. She needed to get him alone, so that she could share with him all the terrible secrets that were whirling around her mind, giving her such distress.
All she could see was the evil in Ian’s eyes.
All she could hear were his hateful words, hurled like arrows straight to the laird’s heart.
* * *
Colin paced the garden path like a caged beast.
Though he’d seen evidence of Darda Campbell’s evil magic before, this was the first time he’d witnessed just how deeply, how completely, she’d managed to control her children. Even in death, she continued to wield power over their minds and wills.
It was clear now that Ian had turned his back on all that was good and decent, and had somehow descended into a hell of hatred. And the choices he made going forward would affect not only him but everyone around him.
It pained Colin to acknowledge his father’s folly. How easily the old laird had been manipulated by a woman’s youth and beauty. When Darda was thwarted in her effort to control her new husband’s estate, she had put a curse on him and on his only son.
At the time, Colin had scoffed at her attempt to manipulate him. And yet, the first half of the curse had already come to fruition, and it appeared that the rest of Darda Campbell’s curse would prevail.
That knowledge made this night all the more important. Though he could not remove the curse, he could leave behind a legacy of his own heart. He would reward the friendship of his guests. And if the Fates were willing, he would taste the wine of true love before going into his final battle.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Old Maura stood back, admiring the work of the village lasses who’d been pressed into service.
“Ye look lovely, my lady. I’ve no doubt Lady Catherine would approve the use of her gown.”
Beth ran a hand down the jewel-encrusted bodice. “I’ve never worn anything this fine, Maura. I feel like a princess in a fairy tale.”
“I know not this tale of which ye speak, my lady. But ye surely look as fine as any lady who has ever graced Stag’s Head Lodge.”
“And all thanks to you and your helpers.”
The old woman blushed while the serving girls smiled their appreciation at her words. It was apparent that none of them were accustomed to being thanked for the work they did for their visitors.
They all looked up at the knock on the door. Maura hurried over to admit the laird.
Colin paused in the open doorway. And though the room was filled with servants milling about, he had eyes only for the lovely young woman standing in front of the fireplace.
“You are a vision, my lady.”
Beth smiled. “None of this could happen without Maura and these amazing women.” She touched a hand to the jeweled gown. “I’m told this was your dear mother’s. And look what they’ve done with my hair. It was all wind-tossed until they managed to tame it.”
His eyes twinkled with laughter. “And will you give them credit for that lithe young body and beautiful face, as well?”
That had all of them laughing.
Maura cleared her throat and motioned for the women to leave. When the last one was gone, she paused, seeing the way the young woman and the laird were staring at each other with naked hunger.
The old woman was smiling as she silently closed the door and made her way along the hall.
* * *
Colin reached a hand from behind his back and handed Beth a nosegay of flowers. At her look of surprise, he touched a finger to her cheek. “I saw these in the garden and had to pick them. They reminded me of you, so sweet and so perfect.”
She buried her face in the nosegay and fought a sudden rush of tears. “Thank you, my lord.” She looked up. “Before we go to the banquet, there are things I must tell you. Important things that could—”
He gently shook his head and offered his arm. “There will be time later to talk. Now we must go belowstairs.”
Seeing the set of his jaw, she took a deep breath and placed her hand on his sleeve. And as she moved along by his side, she prayed that she could remain strong and vigilant. For there was evil here. She could sense it. Could almost feel it vibrating in the very air.