Page 112 of Bride of Mist
Instead of answering her, the lass posed a question of her own. “What have ye done with him? What have ye done with Dougal?”
“I don’t know who you’re talking about. Who is—”
“Don’t lie to me!” The maidservant’s cry was more of a sob than a command. “I know ye know somethin’. He wouldn’t have willingly parted with his plaid. Ye must have done somethin’ to him.”
Feiyan frowned. It was one thing for Dougal’s brother to interrogate her. But this was a lowly maidservant. What right did she have to question Feiyan? What concern was it of hers if Dougal went missing? Why would the thought of his absence drive the maid to tears?
Suddenly she recalled Dougal’s claim about his most trusted servant. “You’re not…Merraid…are you?”
“Aye,” the lass replied. “How did ye know my…”
A breath of relief rushed out of Feiyan. Perhaps her mission wasn’t compromised after all. Perhaps there was still a chance to unseat Gaufrid and his minions.
“Dougal told me about you,” she said.
“He did? Dougal told ye about…me?” Merraid’s expression wavered between disbelief and astonished pleasure. “What did he say?”
Feiyan wasn’t about to waste time on flattering the lass with a gush of invented praise. “He said you could be trusted.”
Merraid blushed and bit her lip. She was clearly besotted with the laird’s brother. Feiyan couldn’t blame her for seeing Dougal as a hero. Especially when the poor lass served a laird who was willing to let her be murdered.
“Then he’s all right?” she asked.
“Aye.”
“Where is he?”
Feiyan wasn’t foolish enough to reveal that, even to Dougal’s most trusted servant. The smitten lass might take it upon herself to seek him out and interfere with Feiyan’s plans.
“He’s safe,” she said. “But he needs your help.”
“Myhelp?” Merraid’s eyes took on a dreamy cast, as if Dougal had invited her to rule a kingdom by his side.
Feiyan nodded. Merraid’s lovesick smile was mildly irritating. But if the lass could rally the clan folk loyal to Dougal, if she could assemble a small army for a rebellion, Feiyan would overlook the maid’s hero worship.
“What does he want me to do?” Merraid asked.
It was tempting to make the silly lass spin round three times, eat a bug, and hack off her thick marigold tresses, since she seemed prepared to do anything for her beloved Dougal.
Instead, she told the lass the truth. “He plans to rise up against his brother.”
Merraid gasped. “He’s goin’ to be laird?”
“With your help.”
“O’ course. What can I do?”
Feiyan finished off her ale as she detailed her scheme.
Merraid listened intently, nodding when Feiyan explained the need for utmost secrecy and careful preparation. When the day of the uprising came, she said, an army would arrive to join forces with those loyal to Dougal.
“An army?” Merraid asked, abruptly suspicious. “What army?”
Feiyan hesitated. The less anyone knew, the better. On the other hand, knowing they had a powerful ally might inspire the clan folk, giving them confidence to act.
She lowered her voice to a murmur. “The Warriors of Rivenloch.”
“Rivenloch?” the maid asked in surprise. Even Merraid had heard of them. She regarded Feiyan with new respect. “Ye’re one o’ them, aren’t ye? A Warrior Maid o’ Rivenloch?”
