Page 78 of Bound to a Scot
Emmeline sat forward, her back straight. “We’ve been discussin’ the weddin’ ceremony.”
Burchard’s eyes cut to Maddox. “Is that so?”
Maddox frowned but nodded. “Aye. We’ve just been goin’ over the details of the weddin’.”
Emmeline was half-certain Maddox was going to launch himself at Burchard and cut his neck but when he didn’t and repeated the story they’d all agreed on, she wanted to throw her arms around his neck and squeeze him. Burchard’s face was stony, and he studied them like they were insects he was considering squashing. But then his face lightened and he smiled, the switchin his demeanor so sudden, it left Emmeline feeling dizzy and disoriented.
“Well, I’ve got good news fer ye then,” Burchard said.
“What is that, me aird?” Emmeline asked.
“We’re holdin’ a feast makin’ the announcement of yer pendin’ nuptials as well as tae publicly formalize our alliance tomorrow. ‘Tis about time we gave the people somethin’ tae look forward tae,” he said. “I’ve got the servants cleanin’ and settin’ up the great hall, the invitations have already been given out, and we’ll have a full house of well-wishers fer ye and Cecilia tomorrow.”
Maddox took a quick swallow of his mead, likely trying to wash the foul taste from his mouth. “’Tis good news, Laird Macfie. I’m… I’m grateful.”
“Of course. After all, I’ve only got the one daughter and I want tae make sure her weddin’ day is somethin’ she’ll always remember,” Burchard said magnanimously.
“Is that why ye’ve been gone so much lately?” Emmeline asked.
He laughed. “Of course, it is. I’ve been meetin’ with vendors and people who are goin’ tae make her day special. It’ll be a wonderful affair. Unforgettable I dare say.”
“’Tis good news, me laird,” Lorn said. “I’m sure it will be somethin’.”
“Indeed, it will,” he replied. “Now, if ye’ll excuse me, I’ve got some things that need tae be attended tae. Nae even a weddin’ excuses a laird from his duties.”
Burchard turned and blew out of the room as suddenly as he’d entered. The man had a lightness in his step and a cheery disposition that made Emmeline nervous. And when she glanced at Lorn and Maddox, she could see clearly that they shared her unease.
“What is he up tae?” she asked her companions.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Macfie had pulled out all the stops for the feast. The great hall was adorned in finery, and musicians played lively tunes. Never-ending platters of roasted meats, vegetables, sweet cakes, and a host of other delicacies were brought out. Serving girls circulated through the hall, refilling glasses of wine, mead, and whisky. The atmosphere in the hall was celebratory and Maddox didn’t think the royals even had affairs so grand. It only made him feel all the more uneasy.
He stood off in a corner with Lorn and Emmeline, watching the revelry going on all around them as he sipped from his cup of mead. The buzz of conversation was thick in the air as people from the clan, all dressed in finery, milled about eating, drinking, and shrugging off their own cares for a night of feasting and revels. He supposed he couldn’t blame them for that.
“Have ye seen Burchard yet?” Emmeline asked.
Maddox shook his head. “Nay. Nae a hair of the man.”
“I dinnae like this,” Lorn said. “Somethin’ feels off.”
“Aye. I was just thinkin’ that too,’ Maddox said.
As if speaking his name had summoned him, the door in the back of the hall opened wide and Burchard stepped through, a pair of guards flanking him and Laith, the obsequious weasel, following behind. Standing on the top steps of the raised dais where Cecilia sat alone at the table, he surveyed the crowd. When his eyes alighted on them, a slow, feral smile unraveled on his lips that sent a rush of ice flowing through Maddox’s veins.
“He’s up tae somethin’,” Maddox muttered behind his cup. “Somethin’ bad is about tae happen. I can feel it.”
“Aye. I hate tae admit it, but I think ye’re right,” Lorn said.
“We need tae be ready tae act,” Emmeline said.
“Nay,” Lorn said stiffly. “We let this play out.”
Burchard held his hand up to silence the room. The musicians stopped playing and all conversation around them ceased. It was suddenly silent as a tomb and Maddox felt a shadow cross his heart as his certainty that something terrible was about to happen only deepened. Lorn and Emmeline, standing beside him, wore tense, grim expressions. From where they’d told her to remain, Cecilia looked at them with evident concern. She seemed to feel the gathering storm too.
“Good people, thank ye fer bein’ here tonight,” Burchard began. “Tonight was supposed tae be a night of celebration and joy and I truly wish it could be. But I’ve just come intae some distrubin’ information. Heartbreakin’ information really. I stand before ye tonight a heartbroken man. And I’m nae afraid tae tell ye that.”
The mood in the room immediately grew somber as the assembled crowd cut glances at one another, questions on all their faces. Maddox gritted his teeth as a cold feeling of dread settled down over him. Macfie caught his gaze, and Maddox couldn’t help but see the glimmer of mirth in his eyes. He tensed and started to take a step forward, but the war chief put a hand on his arm.
