The Highlands Trilogy by K.E. Saxon

Author:K.E. Saxon [Saxon, K.E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical romance, medieval romance, scottish highlander romance, medieval highlands romance, intrigue, adventure, suspense, alpha hero
Publisher: K.E. Saxon
Published: 2019-09-11T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 10

“Have you seen Bao?” Jesslyn asked Laird Donald. The tower church bells were about to begin chiming and she wanted to stand with her husband, as tradition decreed. Daniel had gone up to his bedchamber a moment before to spend these moments with his wife.

“Not after he went to meet you in the store tower, my dear. That was nigh on two hours past. Actually,” he continued sheepishly, “I thought the two of you may have retired for the evening.”

“The store tower?” Jesslyn shook her head in confusion. “He didn’t meet me in the store tower, sir.”

“Aye, he did. He raced with good speed directly to that place upon learning you’d summoned him. Mayhap he still awaits you, lass.”

“And who gave my husband this message, sir?”

“‘Twas Callum’s wife, Lara. Did she not relay it right?”

Lara! Alarmed, but unwilling to burden the older man with her worries, Jesslyn said only, “I must fly, then, for I fear Bao will be quite displeased with me by now.” Waving a brief farewell, Jesslyn scurried off toward the tower.

The store tower didn’t hold good memories for Jesslyn. It had been the site of her deepest humiliation. Where, in some mad moment of desperation, she’d almost ruined Daniel and Maryn’s union by throwing herself at him just before his wife had come through the door. Thankfully, after almost a sennight of separation, Daniel had been able to overcome Maryn’s suspicions and they’d reconciled. And, somehow, Maryn had had the generosity of spirit to not only forgive Jesslyn, but befriend her as well.

With leaden feet, she climbed the stairs, the light from the taper creating eerie shadows on the steps and wall, sending a chill down her spine. When the bells began to chime, she nearly jumped out of her skin. “Bao?” she called out. No answer. Mayhap he—they?—couldn’t hear her over the sounding of the bells. She hurried up the last few steps, rushed to the door of the upper chamber and opened it wide.

Empty, praise be. For she had little trust of Lara, and what Bao had managed to salvage these past sennights with her was fragile.

Except. The chamber looked to be made into a lover’s bower. The niggling suspicion was fast becoming a full-blown certitude. Lara had prepared this place to seduce Bao. But, the question remained, had she and Bao met here by some secret design? Had his seeming dislike of the lady been an act to hide his true intent?

Her heart fluttered and her breath caught as she walked toward the blankets and searched for signs that they’d lain together. The makeshift bedding wasn’t rumpled. Thank heavens.

Her gaze settled on the table as she walked toward it. She picked up the silver chalice and looked into its wide bowl, then gave it a sniff. Clean. The cup had not been used.

Aye, ‘twas no doubt Lara’s doing, but clearly her husband had remained faithful to his vows. Feeling a little better now, even though she dreaded dealing politely with that strumpet Lara o’er the next days, she left the chamber, closing the door behind her.

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