Mysteries of Skye by Tarah Scott & April Holthaus

Author:Tarah Scott & April Holthaus [Scott, Tarah]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Scarsdale Publishing, Ltd
Published: 2018-02-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Jacob rose from the bench near the fire in Lyel’s room and crossed to the bed were Linnae sat beside him on the mattress. Last night, his breathing had been so shallow, everyone thought he was taking his last breaths.

Linnae had sat beside him all night, holding his hand. Lyel’s fingers were curled around hers, and his breathing was slow, but even. However, he had yet to open his eyes.

“Are you hungry, lass?” Jacob asked. “I will stay with him while you go down to get some food.”

She shook her head. “Nae. I am fine.”

He didn’t blame her for not wanting to leave. In truth, he feared leaving, as well. “I will have food brought up,” he said.

“I will remain with him, if you have things to do,” she said.

“Dinnae speak about me as if I am not here.”

Jacob froze at Lyel’s whispered words.

“You are awake,” Linnae cried. “We have been so worried.”

Lyel shifted slightly and looked at her. “No need to worry, lass. I am old. It is my time to die.” He lifted his free hand and patted the hand that gripped his other hand. “Jacob is right. You should eat.”

“He said he could have food brought here. I will stay.

Lyel's eyes shifted to him. “You have your hands full here, Jacob.”

Jacob nodded. “Aye.”

He called for food. To Jacob's surprise, Linnae was able to coax Lyel into drinking a bit of broth. By late morning, his eyes were a little brighter and he could speak above a whisper—which only gave him the opportunity to ask about the men in the dungeon and what information Jacob had learned from them.

Jacob told him that he had yet to interrogate the prisoners, then said to Linnae, “Tell Lyel about Glenwood Abbey.” Linnae hesitated, and he added, “He willnae be happy until he has every piece of information.” Jacob looked at Lyel. “He has always been like that.”

“And I will be like that until my dying breath.”

Jacob laughed despite himself. “Aye, Leyl, to your dying breath.”

Jacob stared down at Lyel, who quietly listened as Linnae described her time in Glenwood Abbey and her association with Malcolm Donald. Jacob would never cease to be amazed by Lyel. Even at the age of eighty-nine, too feeble to leave his bed, his mind was as sharp as it had ever been, and he ruled the MacKenzies with an iron fist.

“I swear, I havenae seen Malcolm in two years, Lai- Grandfather,” Linnae ended.

Lyel patted her hand. “I believe ye, lass.” Lyel looked at Jacob. “Once Malcolm learns you married Linnae, he will attempt to enlist her in his service.”

Jacob nodded.

“I have already sent word to the council. Michael will never take my place as chief,” Lyel said.

That surprised him. “I dinnae think you need me, at all.”

Lyel’s expression softened. “I need you now more than ever, lad. The lad taking my place is barely a man. Help him and you will be helping me.”

“Always,” Jacob said.

“I will leave Malcolm Donald to you,” Lyel said. “Just remember, he is responsible for my granddaughter’s death.

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