Page 75 of Married to the Highland Devil
“Those rumors started because of ye,” he accused. “Ye did this.”
“Laird McLennan,” the woman called before speaking in rapid Gaelic. “I only did what I was asked to do.”
“What do ye mean?”
“It was a man from MacGregor who came to find me and asked me to tell anyone who came to see their fortunes that the English lady shall bring doom. He threatened to kill me if I didnae do it.”
Dunca’s right hand balled into a fist at his side as the woman revealed this plot to him.
“Can ye recognize the man who asked this of ye?”
She shook her head. “Nay,” she told him. “But I knew he wasnae from here. He wore their clan colors, and he had blue eyes, the kind that makes ye want to shiver and hide.”
Duncan nodded. “And why are ye tellin’ me this now?”
The seer stared down at her feet for a while then her brows gathered before she met his gaze again. “Because fate brought ye into my shed to seek shelter, and I heard what happened to the lady yesterday. She doesnae deserve to die. I havenae had any terrible premonitions about her.”
Duncan’s throat tightened harder as he swallowed. It was still raining outside, and a little weight lifted off his shoulders at the revelation.
“I need ye to do somethin’ for me, and ye shall be handsomely rewarded. I need ye to spread another rumor, but only this one is to correct the first one. Tell the people and anyone that the lady isnae a witch, and that she shall bring us good fortune. I dinnae care how ye do it. The people believed ye once; they shall believe ye again.”
She nodded softly. “Aye, My Laird. I will make it right.”
Duncan reached for the small deer-skin sporran he always carried with him then tossed it to her.
“Consider that a payment for yer services.”
He left the seer’s shed after that, grateful that he had stumbled upon her again. By the time he returned to the castle, he was drenched from the heavy rain and dripping water all over the floor as he walked into the keep.
“Brother,” Yvaine called as he drew near the stairs.
Duncan heard the lightness in her tone, and she pressed a hand to her chest while taking in a huge breath.
“Amelia is awake… She awoke some time ago, and she is askin’ for ye.”
Duncan nearly missed a step in his rush to hurry down the stairs and go to Amelia. His heart jubilated, and he knew this time, he had to let her know how much he loved her and how the thought of losing her terrified him more than the threat of war looming over their heads.
34
Amelia could barely speak at first. Her sides ached, and the steady pounding in her temples made it difficult for her to open her eyes. She thought she heard her father’s voice as she lay there and whimpered.
“Amelia,” her father called again, and this time, she managed to open her eyes.
Amelia blinked twice, trying to make sure she heard right. All she saw was shadows, and the insistent voice called her name again.
“Father?” she answered.
“Yes, Yes,” he whispered and took her hands. “You woke up earlier but fell asleep again. The healer says you will be all right. I am right here now. You do not need to be scared.”
Amelia swallowed hard and licked her dry lips.
How was he here? When did he get here? What happened?
She could barely remember getting here. She tried to remember what had happened, but nothing came to mind. She recalled returning from the village with Duncan and going to bed early.
“Did you bring Lily?” she managed to ask when she found her voice again.
“Yes,” he answered. “She came with me.”
