Page 27 of An English Rose for the Highlander
“What could cause such a thing?” Rose held her hands to her mouth, taking in the horrid scene with her blue eyes stormy and concerned.
Oskar cast a glance at her just as Eilidh and Peggy ran up from the castle, their breath visible in the cold late evening air. Many of his clan milled about on the periphery, eyeing them all and looking to the fallen livestock with terror.
“That is part of the concern, me laird.” His man-at-arms dropped his eyes to the ground, then looked back at the ill animals. “The clan is saying it’s a curse or some foul omen on account of bringing home an English bride.”
“Och, for Christ’s sake.” Dominik grumbled to himself, gently walking up to one of the sheep who still breathed, sniffing at him, and pulling open his mouth to examine it. “It’s superstition.”
He sighed, not seeing much, but suspecting foul play. So many creatures did not get sick and drop that quickly or close together. Illness took time to spread. It was far more likely that some bit of poison had made its way into the food stores they gave to the animals, and that was a sign of a traitor in their midst.
And we’d just come back with news of copper. Bloody rotten luck.
“Do you see anything?” Dominik pushed up from his knee, facing Rose, who stared down at him with such concern on her face that it gave him pause.
Eyes were pinned to her from the gathered crowd, and Rose was not ignorant of the fact. She pulled into herself, her stare darting to the side occasionally before returning to focus on him.Dominik could see the worry on her face, thanks to what Oskar had said. This “curse” because she was his English bride.
“I want the animals looked at properly. Nae only by me.” The Laird faced his wife. “And I daenae want ye thinking for a moment that you are responsible. Animals daenae just drop like this, nae without cause. And I suspect…”
Oskar kept his stare on Dominik as more servants ran up, those capable of knowing the signs to look for, and the two of them stepped back, watching the men work.
“…it is likely poison.”
Another gasp escaped Rose, and then the area went still around them, quiet as a funeral and twice as tense. Someone was trying to cripple his keep, his clan. Dominik’s fury simmered in his blood, making his hands ball into fists where he held them at his sides. In fact, without truly comprehending what he was doing, his dominant hand moved to the pommel of his sword at his waist.
Is it one of our own? Or some snake that has slithered into our castle without notice?
It was particularly possible that it could be someone hell bent on “repaying” him for choosing an English bride. Dominik knew not everyone was thrilled with the selection, but to go to these lengths? It was an act that would harm the clan, not solely its Laird.
“You truly think that someone did this deliberately?” Rose appeared so small when Dominik turned to face him. “Why? Why would someone seek to sabotage the clan?”
Oskar and he exchanged glances, a silent conversation—or argument more like—between the two of them. It was carried out over the course of just a few seconds, but the warning from Oskar, suggesting that Dominik should not tell his wife the truth, was clear.
But Dominik was the Laird, and furthermore, this was his wife who was under fire. He would not allow her to remain ignorant of the attacks being launched at her. She had a right to know.
“I believe it could be someone who doesnae appreciate that I chose an English bride, as Oskar said. It is possible that one of the men has taken their frustration to the next level.”
Rose’s eyes flared wide before her expression melted into one of sorrowful understanding. She nodded once, then squared her shoulders as she made direct eye contact with him.
“I promise to help however I can, even if it means standing right next to these men and women as they tend to the animals and muck out stalls. I will not have the clan believing you made a poor decision or that I do not care for these people.”
Dominik was not ashamed to admit that his jaw dropped open. Oskar’s was just the same, and anyone in earshot of Rose, for that matter. She was an impressive woman, regardless of her English background. In truth, Dominik had also planned to beout here with the workers. There had been so much destruction, so much needed tending; it was his duty as Laird to lend a hand when it got this bad.
“It is a good thing ye offer, lass. So much work. There is enough for each member of this clan to do their part.” Dominik offered Rose a smile, and from around them, he could pick up on the way his servants and clanspeople approved of Rose’s declaration.
The animals that had fallen ill were isolated in a separate enclosure from the others. The precaution was taken to ensure that if they were carrying some type of disease, they would not pass it on to the others. As a result, the stables and open field areas where the animals could find shelter beneath a covering were overcrowded.
Moreover, Rose had to admit that the smell was something that could easily send a person into fits.
As it was, her stomach churned uncomfortably at the aroma, but she was determined to provide the assistance she promised. Her clothes, which thankfully had been chosen for riding, were stained nearly immediately when she entered the paddock, and it was only getting worse the longer she aided the workers.
Many of the sheep and horses had relieved themselves upon displaying their symptoms, and even more so when they passed on. Not all of them did, but it was enough to create such a foulstench that those in the field found cloth to wrap around their noses to block it out.
“Might I inquire as to where you have found the fabric?” Rose asked one of the men who was working tirelessly to shovel away the stinking remains. “I believe it is a wonderful idea, and I would very much like to do the same.”
“Of course, me Lady.” The man reached into a small pouch that was secured to his belt. “Here ye are. I must say it’s surprising to see the Lady of the castle out here in the muck with us. We…appreciate yer help.”
Rose smiled. “Of course. This is my home, too. I should do my part to ensure it is taken care of properly.”
The man turned down the corners of his mouth, as if he were puzzling over her words. Then, he nodded approvingly at her. They both got back to work quickly after that, but she was pleased to see this respect and appreciation coming from several members of the clan. It was certainly unexpected to win them over in this manner. Still, Rose understood the importance of doing whatever you could to assist your family.
