Page 37 of It Began With A Kiss
“’Tis an important stronghold on our borders. I doubt England would relinquish such a fortress easily.”
“Aye and my sister’s husband was not called the Devil’s Dragon for nothing. We shall worry about the ownership of Berwyck another day. For now, help me pack a few things for my journey. I will take only Finlay with me and leave the rest of my guards here to protect you.”
Iona’s brow furrowed. “What if another runner from the king appears in yer absence?”
“Anyone arriving can be told I am not here. There are plenty of knights here to guard you and, with our home on an island, you will be safe.” Aiden took her hand and began leading her to their bedchamber.
“And the knight who sent the king’s missive?” she asked, whilst they walked down the passageway.
“I will send him on his way come the morn. Since he has delivered his message, I am certain he has others and will need to travel quickly,” Aiden replied as he opened the door for his wife to enter their room. She strode past him, caressing his tunic with her fingertips and sending him a promising look over her shoulder.
“Bolt the door, my love,” she ordered with a wistful smile.
Aiden gave a light chuckle before doing as she commanded. The afternoon became all the brighter as he pleasured his wife until she was completely satisfied.
CHAPTER28
Iona left her bedchamber and continued down the passageway to the turret. Carefully descending the curved stairs, she came into the great hall. ’Twas later in the morn than the time she normally came down to break her fast but, with Aiden gone, she had had a restless night. Sleep had evaded her, and she tossed and turned the night away until she at last found her slumber close to dawn.
Looking around the empty hall, she saw she was alone. How unusual. Normally there was at least a servant busily going about cleaning the place up after the morning meal. But there was no one and an eerie silence caused her to shiver. Where was everyone?
She crossed the room to the back where the kitchen was located, and peered inside. A pot boiled over onto what was left of the fire and Iona quickly grabbed a cloth so she could swing the lever the pot hung on. Cook must have left in a hurry, and it was strange that he would leave his kitchen unattended. Iona frowned, seeing the ingredients for the afternoon meal on the table, still waiting to be prepared. Something was not right.
A curse came from outside in the garden and Iona felt a sliver of relief knowing someone was outside. She saw Deidre calmly sitting on the stone bench, her back resting on the wall behind her.
“Finally,” she sneered. “I was beginning tae think I would need tae wake yer lazy arse from yer slumber.”
Iona came to a halt at the woman’s words. “Excuse me?”
“Ye could have been more accommodating tae my plans and woken earlier, ye stupid chit,” Deidre answered, coming to a stand.
’Twas then that Iona smelled a distant fire, most likely in the village. That would certainly take every available person out of the castle to assist with putting it out before it could spread.
“Ye set a fire?” Iona asked. Deidre nodded. “But why?”
A snort left the woman. “Why? Ye were never very bright, Iona. Did ye not think I would want revenge against those who killed my kin?”
Iona wracked her brain until the connection was at last made. How could she have ever forgotten that Deidre was a distant cousin to Ewan and Broden? But their relationship was so scarce that Iona never thought Deidre would ever side with Iona’s brother-in-law. Why would she?
“Ye were loyal tae Broden,” Iona stated with a frown.
“Of course, I was loyal tae Broden!” Her voice screeched and echoed into the distance. “He was the son I never had whilst Ewan only treated me like a servant. Making me lady in waiting tae ye was an insult, when I should have been lady of the keep.”
Iona frowned. “How could ye possibly be lady of the hall, Deidre, when Ewan was the heir and leader of the clan?” Iona asked, knowing the woman’s statement was irrational. Ewan had inherited everything, including his title, which was held by his father before him. Gregor would have one day inherited the responsibility if Aiden had not taken over.
“Details… details… they dinnae matter, only that I should have been the lady here and not ye,” Deidre screamed. Her face became distorted in her rage. She raised her fist to the heavens as though cursing her fate. The woman clearly was mad, but then she turned her crazed eyes in Iona’s direction. This woman had a plan for her and Iona did not wish to learn what it was.
She turned to flee but was stopped by a tall stranger who swung his arm in Iona’s direction. She tried to duck, but something solid hit her head and Iona fell to the ground. Deidre cackled in glee whilst Iona lay there, stunned. Deidre had some evil purpose in mind and was willing to do whatever it took to see her desires were met.
Deidre towered over Iona, who screamed until a rag was shoved into her mouth so she could no longer protest what was happening to her. Iona tried to focus, but the man who had hit her had done his job for her head seemed to reel, her stomach lurched and the two people bending over her seemed to have ghost shadows, as if they were dividing into two.
“There. Finally silence from ye so, I no longer have tae hear yer pitiful voice,” Deidre said in apparent satisfaction. She pointed to the man hovering nearby. “Pick her up and let us finish this.”
The man hesitated. “Ye never said I had tae do more than hit the woman. This will cost ye extra,” he said folding his arms across his chest.
Deidre swore and then reached into the pouch held by a string at her waist. She held out several coins and tossed them to the man. “Now, ye have been paid. Pick her up and follow me.”
Iona’s head swam as she was hoisted none to gently over the man’s shoulder. He swung her around to go back into the castle. Her hair was pulled up and Iona stared into the crazed eyes of Deidre.
