The MacKinnon Curse (The Beginning) Novella (MacKinnon Curse, #4) by J.A. Templeton

Author:J.A. Templeton [Templeton, J.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Julia Templeton
Published: 2012-07-29T12:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

That very evening Margot became unexpectedly ill.

When I went to her room after dinner, I found her sleeping. Indeed, she was so pale, so still, that for a moment I thought the worst.

Once I was assured she was breathing, I went to my room and slept for a few hours, but awoke from a horrific dream of being trapped in the forest, that same blood-curdling scream I’d heard that early morning weeks ago still ringing in my ears.

Or had it been Margot screaming, I thought, rushing out of my chamber and to hers.

I watched the rise and fall of her chest…and breathed a sigh of relief.

It was hours later when I opened my eyes to find her watching me with a soft smile.

“You’re awake,” I said, so relieved to see her that I stood and sat on the edge of the bed. “I was alarmed when you did not come down to dinner last night.”

She sat up straight. “Last night? I have been asleep all night?”

“Indeed, you have been asleep ever since.”

I lay down beside her.

Her eyes widened.

I smiled reassuringly. “No one will come in. Mother and the girls are in town, and my father and Duncan are at the river, hoping to catch tonight’s meal.”

“What if a servant comes in?”

“They would not enter without knocking first. Plus, I can always slip beneath the bed if need be.”

“You’re dangerous,” she said softly.

“Dangerous…how so?”

She swallowed hard, but offered no explanation.

I brushed my thumb along her lower lip, then over the base of her throat where her pulse fluttered. “I am glad you are feeling better.” I kissed her forehead, her nose, and her mouth, the softest of kisses.

Releasing a heavy sigh, she rested her head against my shoulder. I felt a sense of true fear for her, making me realize how important she had become to me.

“Did you eat something that disagreed with you yesterday?” I asked.

“Nay, I felt fine…until I had my afternoon tea.”

“Who brought the tea?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

“Laria.”

My mind raced, especially since my strange altercation with Laria. She had clearly been watching me closely. Could it be possible that Laria had poisoned Margot? Laria’s obsessive behavior since Margot’s arrival made me wonder that perhaps she was capable of just about anything. She could see that I was beginning to care for Margot…perhaps she was trying to punish me by hurting her.

***

Margot steadily improved by the day.

I sat with her often, reading to her, playing cards or chess. Each time a maid entered the room, I released a breath, relieved when it was someone other than Laria.

Late one afternoon, there was a sharp rap at the door.

I opened the door to find Duncan looking back at me. He was deathly pale. “I need to speak with you.”

“Get some rest,” I said to Margot, who nodded, and slid beneath the covers, her eyes already closing.

“What is it?” I asked, as I shut the door behind me.

He looked over his shoulder, then lowered his voice. “Not here.”

Curious by his intense mood, I motioned for him to follow me to my chambers.

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