The Maid of Lorne by Brisbin Terri

Author:Brisbin, Terri [Brisbin, Terri]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Historical Romance, Harlequin Historical, Series, Romance, Historical, Literature & Fiction
ISBN: 9781408916193
Publisher: Harlequin Historical
Published: 2010-09-20T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

I am longing for a good meal, Sebastien. Do you think she will poison it?” James asked with serious intents. “Should someone follow her?”

Sebastien turned and punched his friend once more on the arm. “You have brought it on yourself this time. What was in your mind to taunt her that way?”

James crossed his arms over his chest and frowned. “Taunt her? I was the model of decorum and courtly behavior. Did you not see how impressed she was with me?”

“Impressed, you say? Until she realized who you were, and then she seemed more afraid than accepting.” Sebastien laughed now.

The reputation that James carried was well-earned by his actions; they both knew that. But, the rumors and stories and truths took on a life of their own as they spread from friend to foe. If it had not worked to their advantage many times, they would all, even the Bruce himself, squash the hearsay and correct the misapprehensions. Sebastien had witnessed one garrison of English soldiers surrender as one when they heard James shout out his battle cry. True, it was a small garrison, but they did lay down their arms, avoiding bloodshed on either side.

“So you think then that I should have someone taste my food while I am here?”

Hugh thought his jest was a good one, for it was his turn now to laugh. “From the expression on Lady MacDougall’s face, I would say you are each in danger. I for one will sit somewhere far away from both of you this evening and not share in your plates for fear of my life.”

“Enough jesting. There is much we should discuss.”

Sebastien walked to the long table in the south end of the hall and invited the two to sit. Once a serving maid brought tankards and ale and their thirsts were satisfied, Sebastien switched from the local Gaelic to French and reviewed with James the latest reports about the increase in attacks and ambushes to his men and those of the Bruce when transporting supplies over the western Highlands.

Each raid was not significant in itself, but there was an alarming pattern developing, and it seemed to spread out from Dunstaffnage itself. When he noticed the sameness in the timing, execution and details of each one, he knew that these were not simply random acts. Someone was directing them, and the attacks were too similar to be a coincidence and to not be related to the taking of Dunstaffnage.

“What do your spies tell you? Have the rest of the MacDougalls scattered or are they still lurking and plying mischief all around us?” James asked. Leaning in and looking from one to the other, he lowered his voice and asked, “And does your lady wife know about this?”

“That Eachann MacDougall is somewhere nearby? Nay, I have not told her that. She has been somewhat limited in her freedoms since I arrived here.”

James laughed again and smacked him soundly on the shoulder. “Sebastien, must you chain your women to keep

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