Page 76 of Highland Sword
Morrigan had thought a weapon in her hand could protect her. What she needed more at this moment was a clear, strong mind. She needed a strategy to beat rogues like Baker and Wemys at their own twisted game. She sat on a bench by the window, and Isabella sat beside her.
Time ticked slowly by. Isabella refused to leave, even when Morrigan suggested it.
“I failed to be there for you for those first six years when you were in my life. But no more.”
Morrigan felt herself once again able to breathe as the other woman’s arm slipped around her. Mother, sister,friend—Isabella was all of those things to her and more. And right now, it was good to know she wasn’t alone.
How long they waited, she wasn’t sure. But eventually Wemys became more restless. Weak coughs bubbled up, and bloody froth formed at the corners of his mouth. Morrigan waited a while longer until the man’s eyes opened. It took a few moments for him to focus on her. When he did, a tear ran down his face. His expression reflected fear and defeat and sadness.
“You’re here to witness me crossing over.”
“No.” She handed him the letter. “This arrived today.”
Perhaps it was the time she’d spent with Isabella. Maybe it was the knowledge that Wemyswasdying. Or acknowledging to herself that she was a fighter. Whatever it was, a sense of calm possessed her that struck her as surprising, if not miraculous. For the first time in her life, Morrigan was above the chaos, observing events dispassionately. She was in control, capable of taking the time to think and make decisions. Aidan’s strategy had been to use this man’s testimony to counter the government’s charges against the Chattan brothers. The thought occurred to her that perhaps she could get him to leave behind a letter, a document that stated what he’d done to her. There would be no secrets to expose then. Everyone would know the truth.
But did she have the strength to face this scandal here in Scotland? To fight this ongoing evil that haunted her? Or should she run? Even as the question crossed her mind, Isabella appeared at her side and took her hand.
Morrigan knew the answer before the complete thought formed. She would stay. She would fight. That was who she was.
The simple task of holding up the paper to his eyes took great effort. His hand shook. She watched his face as he read it. Finally, Wemys let the missive drop.
Morrigan picked it up. “How? How could Baker know? What are the lies you told him?”
He closed his eyes and tried to force air into his wasted lungs. Finally, he managed to get out a few hoarse words.
“That letter in your hand. It’s not from Baker. He’s just a tool. A messenger. Burney is behind this.”
Morrigan felt the ground tilt under her. “How could Burney know what you did to me?”
He averted his gaze. He couldn’t look at her. “Your father came looking for me. I was hiding in Baker’s rooms. In Perth. He left a letter. He threatened to kill me for… for what I’d done to you.”
Morrigan thought about her father leaving and going back to Perth. He’d packed his pistol. She was certain he would have killed Wemys if he’d found him.
“Baker had me confess what I’d done. He stole your father’s letter and later gave it to Burney.”
“Why?”
“We both went to work for him not long after. Burney collected information on everyone. He paid well for anything he could use against his enemies.”
He coughed so violently that for a moment Morrigan thought he’d never take another breath. It took a few moments to recover.
“That is Burney’s way. He ferrets out secrets, then twists them, creates scandal where there is none. That’s how he gets people to work for him. And keep working.” Wemys fought to take in air. “The old fox is using it now to get at you. He’s created a story so shocking that it ruins you and everyone around you before you have a chance to explain. But all of it is a test. He’s waiting to see how you react. If you pay, he knows he has you.”
“And if I don’t pay?”
“He still has you.”
Morrigan thought of the caricatures. Could she live with herself if her likeness was at the center of one of those flyers pasted to so many walls?
“Beat him at his own game.” Wemys groaned in pain. He was growing weaker. “He’s thrown you a line. Grab hold of it. Yank the fox out of his hole. These Mackintoshes will know what to do with him.”
She had so many questions now. She wanted to know as much about Burney as she could learn. Wemys talked to her. He told her what he could remember until he could go on no longer.
Isabella gave him another dose of laudanum to lessen his pain. The two women stayed at his bedside as he drifted in and out of consciousness.
Then, at sunset, he stopped breathing altogether.
CHAPTER25
