Page 79 of Bound to a Scot
“Steady, lad,” Lorn said.
“I have learned that I have been betrayed by those closest tae me,” Burchard said. “I have learned that me own daughter, me own flesh and blood, conspired with me war chief tae usurp me.”
A loud gasp burst from the crowd and the whispers immediately began. Maddox could see the heads turning toward Lorn, whose face darkened as his body tightened. On the dais, Cecilia paled and her mouth fell open. The two guards who’d come in with Macfie stood behind her, looming over the poor, frightened girl.
“Having discovered this treason, I have nay choice but tae take Lorn MacMillan and me daughter, Cecilia, intae custody and have them executed fer their betrayal,” Macfie intoned.
As a pair of guards moved through the crowd toward Lorn, the harsh whispers of the crowd filled Maddox’s ears and he felt the weight of their accusing eyes on his new friend. He stepped in front of the war chief, his hand on the hilt of his dagger. But Lorn put a hand on his shoulder and turned him around, his face stern.
“Dinnae dae this,” Lorn said. “I’ll nae have ye throw yer life away on me.”
“I’ll nae see ye hang fer somethin’ ye didnae dae.”
“Easy, lad. I’ll appeal tae the king. It’ll all work out.”
“Bollocks—”
From the corner of his eye, he noticed Emmeline stepping forward. “Stop this,” she called. “Cecilia had naethin’ tae dae with anything. ‘Twas me. ‘Twas all me.”
Maddox and Lorn both spun around, eyes wide, stricken expressions on both their faces.
“Emmeline,” Lorn said. “What are ye doin’?”
“’Twas me who ordered Lorn tae rifle through yer office and seize yer papers,” Emmeline called. “I am the lady of the castle and he had nay choice but tae dae as I said. ‘Twas me with the plan tae usurp yer Lairdship. Nae Cecilia. And nae Lorn. Me and me alone.”
“What in the bleedin’ hell are ye doin’?” Lorn hissed.
“Emmeline, stop.”
She turned to them, her eyes filled with fear but her face a mask of steely determination. It was then that Maddox realized what she was doing. She was going to protect Cecilia by any means necessary. Even if it cost Emmeline her own life.
“Dinnae dae this,” Maddox whispered.
Her smile was small and sad. “I must,” she said. “Like Lorn said, it will all work out.”
The buzz in the hall grew louder as the tongues wagged in earnest with accusations and condemnations of Emmeline. Maddox clenched his jaw. He couldn’t stand by and let this happen. He stepped closer to her and Emmeline put a hand on his shoulder gently, giving him a small shake of her head as her eyes glittered with tears.
“Dinnae dae anythin’,” she said. “It will be fine.”
“It willnae be.”
Maddox glanced at Macfie who stood on the dais, his eyes gleaming and a predatory smile on his lips. It was then that he understood this was what Macfie wanted. That this was part of his plan. He knew of his wife’s affair with him and he knew shewould protect Cecilia with her life. This was his way of getting rid of her once and for all.
“Very well,” Macfie said, his voice echoing through the hall, which had fallen silent once more. “Emmeline Macfie, fer yer treason, ye shall be put tae death.”
“Laird Macfie,” Maddox called.
“Guards,” he said, ignoring Maddox entirely. “Take her away.”
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Late that night, long after the guests had all been sent away and the household was asleep, Emmeline sat alone in the dark, dank cell Burchard’s guards had thrown her into. Tears stained her cheeks, and her heart quivered, her body trembling with fear. But there was no way she was not going to protect Cecilia. She would protect her at the cost of her own life. She may not have given birth to her, but as far as Emmeline was concerned, Cecilia was her child.
It hit her a few hours after she’d been locked in the cell that this was what Burchard had wanted all along. She knew he couldn’t come right out and accuse her of having an affair with Maddox in front of the clan, not without proof. But she was convinced that he knew. By getting her to confess to treason, he had all the reason he needed to have her executed. That had been his plan all along. Not that she regretted her decision.
“And here I am,” she muttered to herself. “Worked like a bleedin’ charm.”
The sound of stone scraping against stone echoed softly through the chamber, making her look up. That was followed by soft, quick footsteps. And then Lorn and Maddox appeared in front her cell and Emmeline had to keep herself from crying out with relief. She cut a glance at the steel door she’d been brought through, but it remained closed and locked, the guards on the other side. She got to her feet and grasped the steel bars of her cell.
