Scent of Scotland by Mac Flynn

Author:Mac Flynn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mac Flynn
Published: 2016-01-26T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 27

The next morning the wall was duly opened, and inside we found the skeleton of a young woman. The enclosed space had saved her beautiful dress from rot, and some wisps of her hair stuck to her skull. A single cut through the front of her clothes over her heart told us all we needed to know about her end except who was the culprit.

It was also on that day that Castle Moray lost two of its occupants.

"You are sure you won't stay longer?" Dal asked Lady Stewart as he escorted her across the entrance hall to the doors. The entrance was open and revealed their two carriages at the ready.

She smiled and shook her head. "Not even your presence could induce me to remain here even one night until the poor woman is buried."

"I believe our promise has already put her at peace," he insisted.

She paused before the open door of her carriage and shook her head. "No, dear Dal, you cannot convince me to stay for another hour."

Moray walked side-by-side with Lord Stewart, and behind them came me. Behind me came the luggage brought by the couple. The servants carried the two heavy trunks of the lady and easily set them on the top and at the rear.

"Then I wish you a quick journey," the father replied before he kissed the back of her hand.

"And you, as well," she returned. "For I chance a guess you're not long here yourself."

"I must first see to the proper burial of the young woman, and then I may stay for a fortnight," the father told her.

"If I will have you," Moray spoke up.

"We must have you sometime, my laird," Lord Stewart interrupted as he shook Moray's hand. "It is the least I can do for your keeping my wife during her foul mood."

Lady Stewart scowled at her spouse. "I would not have been in such a mood if you had not been so uncompromising."

"Let us not hear of arguing on our parting," Father Carmichael interrupted.

Lady Stewart smiled at the father. "If you wish. I will be civil if he will."

Lord Stewart frowned, but said nothing. He bowed to Moray and Father Carmichael, and climbed into his carriage. The vehicle was soon off down the road. Lady Stewart stepped around the father and grasped my hands.

"If you gentlemen would but give us a moment. I must say my especial goodbyes to my new friend," she requested.

They bowed to us, and Lady Stewart led me towards the lawn on the side of the driveway. When we were near the hedge of trees she stopped us and lowered her voice.

"Have you made your decision on whether to join us in freedom?" she wondered.

I winced. "To be honest I haven't had a chance to think over the matter."

She sighed and clasped my hands. "Well, when you do decide you may entrust your letters to Moray's postman." She smiled and winked at me. "He is a dear friend of mine, and whatever you have to write to me will only be seen by my eyes.

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