Amanda Scott by Reivers Bride

Author:Reivers Bride [Bride, Reivers]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Now then,” Maggie said, flicking a finger at the parlor fireplace, where a cheerful fire instantly sprang to life, “the three o’ us ha’ tae talk.”

“What’s amiss?” Catriona asked, making herself comfortable in a chair by the hearth.

Producing matching chairs for Fergus and herself with another flick of her finger, Maggie said, “I told ye afore that all plans develop a hitch or two.”

“Aye,” Fergus said, “but we did like ye said, and I’ll admit things look tae be marching more smoothly now.”

Catriona frowned but did not argue the point. Instead, she said, “I think Maggie means plans other than just what happened tonight, Fergus.”

“I do,” Maggie said, grimacing. “Ye’ll both fly into a pelter when I tell ye, but it willna aid matters, so if ye dinna want tae stir me wrath, ye’ll maintain your civility until we ha’ talked it through.”

Catriona looked alarmed. “Has something more happened to Claud?”

He could see them and hear them clearly. It was as if he had abruptly shifted from gray space to a chair of his own near theirs. He could almost feel the heat of Maggie’s fire, could almost reach out and touch Catriona— almost, but not quite.

Maggie glanced at Fergus, who had nearly faded to empty air. “Show yourself properly, lad,” she said, but her tone was oddly gentle as she said it.

Fergus obeyed her, turning red, as he said, “I forget about that when I get scared. Moreover, I can sense Jonah’s presence the way ye sense Claud’s, and he seems tae be near us all the time now.”

He looked around, seeking that other, evil presence, but saw nothing amiss.

“Ye’re just afraid,” Maggie said. “D’ye no think I’d ken if he were so near?”

Fergus shrugged, clearly not convinced.

“Still, it’s Jonah you want to discuss,” Catriona said. “What’s he done now?”

“Seems he added a wee trap tae his spell,” Maggie admitted.

“Of course he did,” Catriona said. “He always does.”

“Aye, but we didna pay that factor enough heed.” Drawing breath, she said, “There be only one way tae free Claud from his mortal.”

The other two looked at her expectantly. Neither asked the obvious question.

He held his breath, watching Maggie.

“I ha’ tae kill the mortal,” she said.

Fergus vanished.

The dense gray cloud swirled around him, and the entire parlor disappeared.

Despite Anne’s trouble falling asleep the previous night, she awoke at her usual time when Peg Elliot entered the room. As memory stirred of what the morning promised, all lingering sleepiness disappeared.

“Sakes, mistress,” Peg said as she closed the shutters with a snap, “what demon possessed ye tae open this window? Last night were gey chilly.”

“I was not cold,” Anne said, remembering who opened the window. “I’ll wear the russet gown with the lace trim,” she added quickly, so Peg would not realize she had not answered her question. “Is Mistress Fiona awake?”

“Nay, not her. The only one I ken tae be up and about be Sir Christopher, and if any o’ the other men ha’ wakened, I’ll be astonished, for they were up nearly till dawn, making such a din that I’m surprised they didna wake the whole house.

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