The Devil’s Laird by Brenda Jernigan

Chapter 8

Siena moaned as she rolled over and opened her eyes to the shadows of light peeking out from the window where a shutter had come loose. She hadn’t slept well at all last night. The reason was simple, she couldn’t get Roderick off her mind. One minute he was angry with her and the next he was holding her telling her everything would be all right. She lay in the drowsy warmth of her bed, thinking. Should she have stayed with the child until his mother came? That was something she would never know, but for now a stab of guilt still lingered deep inside her. Instead of saving them as she had intended . . . in the end the warning hadn’t done any good.

Agatha entered the room. “Good morning. It’s freezing in here.” She went to the window and closed the shutter.

Siena threw back the covers and slid out of bed, then grumbled, “Burr, it is cold.” She stumbled over to the fireplace and stirred the embers to get the flames going, then tossed more wood on the fire.

“What happened last night after you left the table with Laird Scott?” Agatha asked. She held a robe up so Siena could slip it on. “He looked very angry.”

“He was angry.” Siena tied the sash of the robe. “He told me that Fidach killed his wife, and he doesn’t know what happened to his son.” She sighed. “He said they never found the child’s body.”

“Oh, no.”Agatha visibly blanched. “I’m so sorry, milady.” Her face changed from sad to full of contempt as she continued, “We both know your brother was capable of killing the child.”

“If only I could picture the boy and see what happened to him.” Siena paused to splash water on her face, then patted it dry. “At least, I could bring Roderick a little comfort. I feel so guilty that I didn’t do more than I did. Somehow this seems all my fault.”

Agatha placed a hand on Siena’s arm. “You thought you were doing the correct thing by warning them of the attack. You couldn’t have known that they wouldn’t take your warning. And if Fidach had caught you, he would have killed you. I’ve no doubt of that.”

“I know, but I still feel bad.” The child’s name lingered around the edges of her mind. “Help me get dressed,” Siena said, then added, “I’m going to see Elen.” Siena had made up her mind that she needed some help. “Do you know which room belongs to Elen?”

“Aye, milady,” Agatha said as she slipped a pale yellow bliaut over Siena’s head. “This wool will feel good, today. It is very cold this morn.”

“Thank you, but you didn’t answer my question.”

Agatha ran her hands down the bliaut to smooth it out. “Elen lives in the treatment room, milady. Remember where you treated that nasty woman who tried to kill you?”

Siena smiled at Agatha’s indignation. “How could I forget that?”

* * *

Siena madeher way down a second set of stairs, winding through the hallways until she found Elen’s room. When she’d been down here before, the door had been open, but this time it was closed, so she knocked and waited until she heard someone call out to enter.

Slowly, Siena slipped into the room. The many shelves along the walls were filled with different size jars lining the shelves, which she assumed contained lots of herbs for healing. There were two beds in the middle of the room for the sick that were neatly made and thank goodness empty.

“Milady,” Elen called from the corner of the room. She’d been sitting on a third bed shoved against an outer wall. “I was wonderin’ when I’d see ye again.”

“Good morning,” Siena said. “I didn’t see you when I first entered.”

“I’ve not lit all the candles yet, lass. I should request a room with a window.” Elen smiled. “At least I’d have more light down here.”

“I agree, nothing like fresh air to help the sick. Why are you way down here?”

“’Tis the safest place in the castle and when yer the only healer they tend to make sure no harm can come to ye.”

Elen withdrew a clay pipe and lit the herbal blend with a straw.

“Do I smell mint?” Siena sked.

“Aye, ’tis a special blend along with Horehound and mullein, passionflower and a few other things that help me breathe.” After she took several puffs, she asked, “Now, what can I help ye with, lass?” She waved her hand toward a chair. “Please sit down.”

Siena chose one of the green cushioned chairs. As a matter of fact, now that she glanced around the room, there was a lot of green. “I didn’t notice when I was in here before, but everything is green.”

Elen chuckled. She sat on a chair across from Siena. “Remember, I’m called The Green Woman and for that reason ye see green everywhere ye look, but I dinna have antlers growing out of my head as is rumored.”

“Thank goodness.” Siena laughed.

“The green makes one feel better. Do you see how ye have relaxed since ye entered my room?”

Siena nodded.

“How can I help ye?”

“Everyone tells me that I have special powers. However, I don’t know how to use them….”

“I sense there is more?”

“Aye, Roderick told me about his wife and son last night,” Siena paused, glancing down at her hands. “I had no idea of his wife’s death, and he said he never found his son.”

“’Tis sad. Laird Scott worshiped both his wife and son, Michael; however, the laird canna put the past behind him wi’ his son still missin’. And I sense he’s finally ready to move forward.”

“That is why I’ve come to you.” Siena peered into Elen’s green eyes. “I thought perhaps you could show me how to find out what happened to his son.”

“Umm,” Elen murmured. She took a drag from her pipe, then she blew a smoke circle, which slowly rose until it surrounded her head. “As ye know lass, I’m not a seer, I’m a healer, but ye, lass have been blessed wit’ both powers. ’Tis rare.” She paused to blow another smoke ring. “’Twould help if ye had seen the wee one.”

“But I have.” Siena told Elen all about what had happened when she visited Black Dawn before.

Elen sat a little straighter. “Did ye enter by the kitchen or the front door?”

“By the kitchen. I remember the cook went and got her mistress. Why do you ask?”

“’Tis considered unlucky to enter the house by the back door when ye come the first time, which is why ye see so many come through our front doors.”

“I didn’t know that,” Siena said, but wondering why in the world that would matter to anyone. Perhaps it was Elen rambling. “But my warning did no good. However, you survived. What did you do that day?”

“Gillian did warn me, but I chose to remain below, knowing they would not bother to look down here, and I was correct. They did not. She said she was going to warn a few others and then head to the caves for Michael.” Elen sighed. “I guess she tarried too long and before she knew it the invaders were upon her.”

“It is very sad.”

“I think ye need a fairy stone.”

Siena looked at her puzzled. “I don’t understand.”

“We’re lucky to have a fairy mound, although, most cannot see the fairies, I can.” Elen smiled. “And I bet ye can, too. Let me fetch my tartan and we will go and see them.”

“I’ve never believed in fairies.”

“Ye will, lass. Wait and see.”

They left out of the kitchen door and strolled across a courtyard that was used for a garden. In the middle of the stone wall stood an iron gate that was ajar. They pushed it open with a screechy protest and slipped through the gate. A big wall surrounded the entire castle, so they headed toward the wall. Once they got closer, Siena spotted a mound that should have been brown since it was winter, but it was as green as a summer day.

“’Tis said that the fairies were once proud angels who wanted their own kingdom. The fairies that live here are called ‘Gude Wichts,’ Elen explained before she called out, “Barra.”

Suddenly, six fairies flew up out of the earth, all dressed in green. They were maybe six inches high with big wings that fluttered constantly.

Siena was stunned but recovered quickly as she watched the creatures bob up and down until a girl with long, golden hair moved to the front.

“Elen. How nice to see you?” Barra turned. “I see you have brought a guest who can see us; therefore, she must be special.”

“Aye. This is Lady Siena and I believe she has the power to be a healer and a seer, however, she has trouble controlling her powers,” Elen explained, then she turned to Siena.

“This is Barra,” Elen said with a swish of her hand.

“Hello, Barra,” Siena said.

“Milady, you seek my help?”

“If you can help me … I’d be most grateful.”

“Will you permit me to land on your hand, Siena?” Barra asked.

Siena nodded and held out her arm. Barra flew over and landed on the back of Siena’s hand. It tickled, but Siena kept her hand steady as not to make the fairy frightened.

“Ah, I sense great strength in you, milady, and you will do good things. Therefore, you will always have our help when you need us.”

“Thank you.”

Barra withdrew a pink stone, a yellow-colored stone, a blue stone, and a red ruby stone and placed them on Siena’s palm, then she flew back to the others. “Always keep the stones with you and turn them over and over in your hand when you need something. There is magic inside the stones. Just as there is magic inside yourself but tell no one that you have them.”

Siena examined the pink stone. It was very pretty and smooth. It looked like there were sparkles on the inside trying to escape. “Thank you. I hope one day that I become the person that everyone thinks I am.”

“Give it time,” Barra said, then she looked at Elen. “I believe it is getting ready to snow, Elen. Best get back to the castle. You know how your bones ache in the cold.” Then in a swoosh the fairies had all disappeared, however giggles could be heard beneath the mound.

* * *

Once they were safely backin the castle, Elen said, “Such a powerful gift ye have.” She wrinkled her nose and nodded as if she came to a conclusion. “I think ye should go back to the cave and find the verra spot where ye left Michael. Look around for something the child might have touched like a smooth stone. Take the stone and keep turning it over and over in yer hand. If you still have no visions, then bring the stone back with ye and we’ll try a couple of other things. Perhaps the fairy’s stones will help. However, it might take time to learn the way of the stones.”

Siena stopped in front of Elen’s room. “Thank you for helping me. Roderick wanted to go to the cave so perhaps we can go today. Let’s hope I can learn something that will be useful.”

“I sense a storm is brewin’ like the fairies thought, so do be careful,” Elen said. Aye, she thought there was a storm brewing both outside and with the laird.

She smiled. ’Twas time someone stirred her laird in wanting to live again.

* * *

Several hours had passedby the time Siena met Roderick in the great hall. A kitchen servant passed her as she scurried out of the room not bothering to greet Siena. It appeared Roderick was putting something into a bag. He closed the bag and looked up as she approached. “Are ye ready to leave, lass?”

“Should I have Agatha get ready to go?”

“Nay, lass. We will not be gone long.”

Siena decided not to argue since she was a guest in his home, and it would save Agatha from going out into the wintery weather. “Let me retrieve my cloak.”

In no time, Siena was back wrapped in her purple cloak. Roderick handed her his plaid.

“I don’t understand,” Siena said. “What do I do with it?”

He took the plaid and wrapped it around her shoulders and then tossed the remainder over her left shoulder. “There. ’Tis verra cold outside and snowin’. Nothing like a plaid to keep ye warm.”

“Should we wait and go another time?”

“Nay.” He picked up the bag and headed toward the door.

Siena wondered if Roderick was a man of few words. He sure hadn’t used many around her, and she had no idea what he was thinking or how he felt. Nevertheless, she followed him outside like an obedient puppy. An icy breath of fresh air hit her in the face. She gasped.

Good Lord, it had gotten colder.

Garvin had brought their mounts up to the front steps, so they wouldn’t have to walk to the stables. Roderick’s horse stood still while Star was dancing around impatient to leave.

“I think yer horse is ready to stretch her legs, lass,” Garvin said as he helped Siena to mount.

“Thank you, Garvin,” Siena tightened her hold on the reins. “She is a bit frisky today. Perhaps she is trying to stay warm.”

Garvin chuckled.

Once Roderick had mounted, he looked at her and asked, “Now lass which cave did you take Michael to? We have three different caves for safety.”

“It was the one in the hill off the main road. Your wife told me about it as I had not remembered seeing a cave when I came.”

“It will be easy enough to get to and we can return before the weather turns too bad. Ye can ride, can’t ye? I’ve not actually seen ye on yer own horse.”

Siena frowned at him. “Of course, I can ride.” It was one of the few things she’d taken pleasure in doing back home. Roderick raised a brow in question. The man seemed to have little faith in her abilities, and she wondered if the icy air wasn’t hitting him in the face like it was hers. He acted like it was a mild summer’s day and they were going for a ride in the country.

Roderick turned and led the way out of the castle. They cantered down the road until they came to a cave carved into a huge dirt mound. No one would ever guess that it was anything but a hill the way they had disguised it. The entrance had loose brush that looked like bushes in front of the opening.

Roderick dismounted and pulled the brush out of the way and sat them to the left of the opening. Next, he helped Siena dismount. They led their horses into the mouth of the cave, so they would not be out in the stormy weather. There was plenty of room for them and there was straw on the ground indicating this was where animals were kept.

“This is a most unusual cave,” Siena commented as she unwrapped the plaid and shook off the snow. She watched Roderick strike a flint. He held it to one of the torches until it burned bright orange. Next, he lit the other four torches that were in metal brackets along the wall.

“We made the cave ourselves. As ye can see, it is well supported with timbers and supplies for anyone who would have to stay here. He grabbed one of the torches and lit the pile of wood that was already stacked in a stone circle located in the middle of the cave. She watched the white smoke spiral up and out an opening that had been made in the roof so that the cave wouldn’t become smoky.

“The pit is for warmth?” she asked.

“Aye. We built it to hide our women, so they would be safe during an unexpected raid. Unfortunately for us, it dinna work when yer brother attacked.”

“I wonder why they didn’t use it?”

Roderick shook his head. “I dinna ken. It appeared that a few women were on the road headed toward the caves when they were struck down and left for dead. ‘Twas the way we found them.”

“I’m so sorry,” she said. It was no wonder Roderick was bitter. She would be too.

Siena wandered to the back of the cave where there were two very large, square timbers stacked on the floor. “This is where I left Michael.” She knelt down and looked around the dirt floor. Spotting a small gray stone, she picked it up. It was cool and smooth to the touch.

“Do ye remember anything?”

“No.” She shook her head. “Elen said if I’d find a small stone and keep turning it over and over in my hand that maybe I could see something. You have to remember that I’m still new at being a seer.”

“I dinna imagine these things can be forced. We’ll give it some time.” He spread a tartan out and motioned for her to join him by the fire. He liked the sound of her voice … it was soft, pleasant and English. He smiled at the thought. Who would have thought that he’d like anything English?

The timbers behind them had been draped with furs for softness, and now they had fire in front, which gave warmth from the chilly air outside.

“Did ye light a torch for Michael?”

“I did long enough to get him settled, but I put it out when I left. I was afraid someone would see the light. I did tell him his mother would be along shortly so not to be afraid. He had his favorite stuffed rabbit.”

“Ah,” Roderick nodded. “Michael is afraid of the dark.”

Siena noticed that he didn’t speak as if he thought his son was dead. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know, but I’d hoped his mother would be along shortly with the other women, and he wouldn’t be alone. I’m sure I warned your wife that there wasn’t much time.”

“’Tis not yer fault, lass.” He extended his hand out toward her. “Let me see the creag.”

“It is nothing special.” She handed him the stone that she’d been turning over and over in her hand. For just the briefest moment, their skin touched, and she felt the oddest reaction. As if she’d come alive for the first time. It gave her warmth inside.

Roderick took the warm stone and held it in his fist. If only the stone would work. He’d never believed in any kind of magic. Now he was desperate. “I dinna see how this creag will do anythin’.” He dropped it back in her hand.

“I don’t know either. She caught the stone then glanced toward the opening. “Is that rain? It sounds funny.”

Roderick stood, then walked to the cave opening. He held his hand out in the snow. “Nay, lass, worse. It’s sleet. If it keeps up, we’ll have to spend the night. I dinna think that we would have sleet today or we wouldna have ridden out.” He ran his hands through his hair. We could make a dash toward the castle, but I’m still hoping ye’ll see somethin’. ’Tis all downhill and we dinna want to endanger our mounts. I’d rather wait. Let’s hope it snows over the sleet tonight which will make it easier goin’ tomorrow.”

Alone with Roderick … it was highly improper, but she’d spent so much time with him that she didn’t feel strange. Because he’d been so kind to her, and she had no fear of him. “Will your men worry?”

Roderick glanced at her like she had just insulted him, then he said, “I think I can protect us, lass. Besides we can see the castle from here, so I’m no worried about attacks.”

He went outside and retrieved a small barrel, which he dragged inside. Withdrawing a dirk from his sock, he broke the ice, so the animals would have something to drink. Next, he unsaddled both animals and gave them some feed that was stored in a barrel in the corner of the cave.

“I must say you have this place well prepared, even food for the animals,” Siena said as she started to get to her feet. “Can I help you do something?”

“Nay, lass.” He pulled a torch out of a bracket and went to the mouth of the cave. He waved it several times before putting it back into place. Then he strolled back over to her with a sack in his hand, which he dropped on the blanket.

“Why did you do that?”

“I was afraid something like this might happen. The torch was a signal to let my guards ken we are spendin’ the night.” He smiled at her. “Remember, I am with the White Witch.”

Siena straightened and gasped. “I don’t believe you said that.”

Roderick grinned. She saw such a different man than the more serious one she’d seen before, and he was quite handsome with a square jaw and a hint of dimple in his left cheek.

She couldn’t believe he was actually joking with her. Well two could play at the game. “Then you best remember, my lord, I am a White Witch, so you could leave this cave as a toad.”

Roderick threw back his head and laughed. A sound Siena found very appealing.

“I brought some bannocks and cheese in case we were stuck here. But we’ll have to share the whisky. It will help keep us warm. Ye do drink whisky?”

“I’m afraid not.”

“Ye’ll be in for a treat then.”

After he placed a couple of logs on the fire, Roderick joined her, and they leaned back against the furs that covered the timbers and began to eat.

Siena pinched off a piece of bread. It hung in her throat, so she waved her hand and pointed to her throat. Roderick handed her his pouch and she took a big swallow of whisky which burned her throat all the way down. She began to cough, so Roderick patted her on the back.

“It takes some gettin’ used to, lass.”

“It sure does. It is different from ale.” She wiped the tears from her eyes. “W--why don’t you tell me a little bit about your family? The more I know the sooner I can help you.”

Roderick would have normally refused. He didn’t like talking about himself, but he’d had several healthy sips of whisky and he was a bit more relaxed. “Let me see. I have four younger brothers, Galen, Gillard, Patrick, and Angus. My parents died several years ago in a fire. Since I’m the oldest, I became laird, however, my brothers are verra independent and they set up their own holdings. All just a stone’s throw from here.”

“I’m sorry about your parents.”

“I was too. They were fine people, but sometime accidents happen, and we have no control over them. Being the oldest, I had to step in and take over the clan at a young age.”

“That must have been hard.”

“Aye, it makes a mon of ye fast.”

“Were you and Gillian married long?”

“Five years. My wife and I grew up together, so it was a natural thing to wed.” He sighed. “She was a good woman and a good mother who died much too young.” Roderick frowned over his memories. “Enough about me. Tell me somethin’ about yerself.”

“There isn’t much to tell. I’ve never done anything exciting or traveled anywhere.” Siena hated talking about her life when she only wanted to forget it, however, as she rolled the stones together in her pocket, a peace came over her and she began to relax. “I was born a twin, but my mother and brother died at my birth, which some have blamed on me.” She took a sip of whisky and sighed. “Like a baby could do something like that.”

“Nonsense.”

“Nevertheless, my older brother, who was a good fifteen years older than me, helped fuel the rumors, and said the devil had marked me.” She stuck out her arm. “See. I hate it. I try to keep it hidden because I do feel marked.”

Roderick rubbed his thumb over the strange mark and something deep inside him stirred. Was it only compassion or something more? He wasn’t sure. He’d been so full of hate these last few years that there had been little room for anything else, but now he found he wanted to comfort Siena. He wanted to erase the hurt he saw in her eyes. “’Tis a birthmark nothing more, lass.”

“Thank you. But others feel differently.” Siena stared at him for a moment before she spoke again. “If I hadn’t had Agatha, I’m not sure what I would have done. She managed to get Father John to teach me to read and write and that helped keep my mind busy. When I got older my father sent me to live with Fidach.”

“What happened to yer father?”

“He’s still alive so I guess I do have a relative, but I’ve not seen him in several years.”

“Yet, he sent ye to yer brother?”

“He did. I think seeing me reminded him of my mother,” she paused as if she were lost in the past. “Strange. I never remember being held by my father.” She shrugged, then continued. “Fidach was happy having me, torturing me became his favorite pastime.”

What a horrible childhood Siena had, Roderick thought. He clenched his fist. “What would he do?”

“Lock me in a dark room and leave me there. Once it took Agatha two days to find me –” she trailed off with a faraway look in her eyes. “By the time she did, I was hoarse from screaming.”

Roderick was so angry that he wanted to kill Fidach all over again. Yet he didn’t want to scare Siena, so he kept a tight hold on his emotions. This young woman had known little love in her lifetime and his heart swelled with a feeling he thought long dead. He touched her arm. Siena turned to him with tear-filled eyes.

Roderick pulled Siena over to him and enfolded her in his arms. “I’m so sorry, lass. Ye will not have to go through something like that ever again. Ye dinna have to say any more.”

“Maybe it will do me good to get it all out,” she said, her head still on his chest. “On the last day at Berwick, Fidach had been in a rage about you. He’d already hit me twice that day, but when he grabbed me for the third time, I came up with a knife. I sunk it deep into his heart,” she paused, then added softly, “I should feel sorry for taking a life, but I don’t.”

Roderick pushed her long hair over her shoulder and wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumb. “Sometimes men are evil and there is no good in them. I believe yer brother was such a mon and deserved to die.”

Siena raised up and looked at him, then said, “Thank you.” Roderick might be a fierce warrior, but he was being so tender with her that her heart was melting. What would it be like to be kissed by such a man? She felt a warmth creep through her veins, and she longed for something more.

Roderick cradled her in the crook of his arm and lowered his mouth to hers. His lips were wonderful, warm, teasing. His fingers slid to the back of her neck as his lips moved against hers. She could taste whisky on Roderick’s lips, and when he coaxed her lips apart, she gasped as his tongue dove into her mouth. Siena had never felt this way before and she had surely never experienced a man’s kiss. She found she liked the way he kissed her. A liquid fire burned in her blood like the hottest fire, clouding her brain. Her desire for him overrode everything else.

Siena’s arms slid around his neck and she began to explore his mouth as he had hers. She heard his moan which sounded more like a growl, so she leaned back, thinking she’d done something wrong. “I--I’m so sorry.” Perhaps, she wasn’t good at this thing called kissing.

Pulling her back to him, he held her tight, and kissed the side of her neck. “Ye did nothing wrong, lass. ’Tis I who should apologize.” Roderick waited for his breathing to return to normal. He didn’t know what it was about this slip of a woman, but she had touched him deep down. “Know this … no one will ever hurt ye again. Ye have my promise.” And with a supreme effort, Roderick ignored the urge to make love to her, he finally said, “We better get some sleep.” He pulled her beside him and said no more.

Siena felt someone truly cared for her … maybe not love … but actually cared what happened to her. She knew there was something special about this man from the very beginning. Roderick had awakened something within her, and it left her reeling, but also contented.

A strange feeling.

For the first time in her life Siena felt safe because she trusted Roderick completely.