The Dark Wolf's Deliverance (The Highland Wolf Series Book 3) by Tessa Murran

Author:Tessa Murran [Murran, Tessa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance, Women's Fiction, Regency & Victorian Era, 19th Century, Adult Themes, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Medieval, Ancient World, Thrillers & Suspense, Mystery & Intrigue, Violence & Crime Story, Protection & Safety, Action & Adventure, Dangerous & Deadly, Romantic Suspense, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Fantasy, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Scottish & Highland Romance, Highlander, Dark Ages, Beautiful & Feisty, The Highland Wolf Series
Publisher: Tessa Murran
Published: 2019-02-28T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Dunslair may be a fortress but when it was like this, fiddlers playing as the setting sun sent its warm rays through the windows and the great hall bursting with laughter and dancing, it was also a fine home. Rory caught sight of Monnine standing in a quiet spot at the back, absent-mindedly tapping her foot along to the music, smiling at the dancing couples as they swirled about the room. The travelling minstrels had come calling, looking to sing and play for the laird and he was glad he hadn’t turned them away. It was worth the expense just to see Monnine’s enjoyment of it all. He wondered if she had experienced many evenings like this and thought not, stuck in that purgatory of a marriage to Logan Blythe.

‘The place has gone to the dogs, Rory.’

‘What?’ he dragged his mind back to Duncan, who was reviling London and all its vices.

‘Women are being burned for witches in the streets, sometimes very young ones - almost children, decrepit old women, the poor, the friendless, the unwanted. Strangled before burning but sometimes not.’

This was not a conversation Rory wanted to have.

‘If they have communed with the devil, practised the evil arts, it’s heresy and the only way to save their souls is with the purification of fire,’ said Father Boyle.

Duncan gave the priest one of his black looks and Rory braced for an argument.

‘Have you ever witnessed a burning Father?’ The priest shook his head. ‘Well I am a veteran of many and bloody battles but this cruelty, it makes my stomach heave with the horror of it. I will not describe it in detail to you, except to say that the screams of those dying slowly and agonisingly will haunt your dreams for years to come. It is an evil thing to do to a person whether it’s done in God’s name or not. And these women are for the most part pathetic, defenceless creatures, tortured into confessing after a long time in prison. The witchfinder is paid a fine price for each one condemned so is it any wonder he finds more and more so-called witches to sacrifice?’

‘But if that is the case, would King Charles not put an end to it?’

‘The King is too busy exhausting himself with his many mistresses to worry about what happens to a few poor peasant women. Though there is talk that the situation has become barbarous. Parliament is making a noise about it in England and the Privy Council, here in Scotland, too.’

Rory felt a soft hand on his arm. Ilene stood beside him. ‘I would dance but my belly is too fat, so come and talk to me.’ She steered him away from her father, who was now arguing with Father Boyle about politics.

‘Rory, my brother is blind.’

‘Ah, you mean the Moncur girl.’

‘Kenna is infatuated with him I think. See, she is searching the room for him even now. Where is he by the way?’

‘Taken himself off somewhere, he never did care much for dancing.

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