The Witch of Black Isle by Keira Montclair
Chapter Eighteen
Later that afternoon, Ethan strode around the vendors. He picked up a meat pie to eat and then stood off to the side to watch the people arriving. They hadn’t seen this many people on Matheson land since the curse had hit them. If he were to wager, he would bet that many were coming from as far away as Cromarty. Scores of people meandered through the marketplace buying food, ribbons, fabric, even weaponry and herbs. The different colors of the clan plaids made the view quite bright, their laughter carrying across the land. It was a wonderful sound, something he hadn’t heard in a long time.
He took two bites of the lamb pie, surprised at how delicious it was, then he jerked forward as someone came up from behind him.
A female voice whispered, “Hmmm, you’re wearing trews. Is that to keep me from grabbing you under your plaid? There’ll be no quick toss in the hay with those on, but mayhap you’re no longer interested.”
He turned around, not surprised to see Alva standing there. He looked around for her friends, but she was alone. “What do you want?” He secretly thanked Jennet for her idea. He was indeed glad to have donned the trews instead of his plaid.
“I want you to marry my friend. She wants you, though I don’t know why. Cori was mad at us for many moons over that other incident. She wanted to marry you long ago, even a year later, but once all the stories started, her family wouldn’t allow it. Now they will. You need to ask her sire for her hand. You wanted her before, so it should not be too difficult.”
“I’m no longer interested. I have my eye on another.”
The look in her eyes transformed to a raw fury in an instant, though it wouldn’t change his mind. “Brigid’s cousin? Just because Marcas married a Ramsay doesn’t mean you must. She’s nothing to look at, so forget her. Your wife should be chosen from a Black Isle clan.”
“But I prefer her.”
She leaned over and whispered, “You’d better forget her, or I’ll find a way to get rid of her.”
Ethan felt an unknown force inside him that would not let this pass. His sire had taught him to treat women with respect, but this one did not deserve it. “I wouldn’t if I were you. If anything happens to Jennet, I’ll come after you with an army of archers. We’ll attack everyone in the Milton clan, but I’ll come directly for you.”
“Clan Milton is much stronger than Clan Matheson. You’ll never win.”
He leaned in closer to her. “Clan Matheson was weak after the curse, but we’ve built our strength and numbers every day since then. And we have many allies on which to call for assistance.”
Not put off by him at all, she moved closer so her nose was nearly touching his. “Whatever happens will take place so fast you won’t have the time to call on your allies. By the time they arrive, it will be too late for your dear sweet one.”
Then she smirked, put her hand on her hip, twirled around, and left.
Shaw came up to him, Torcall behind Shaw. “What the hell was that about? You aren’t carrying on with Alva, are you? You’d be a fool if you did.”
“Nay, but she likes to continue to taunt me. If it pleases you, brother, I’ll tell you that she no longer worries me.” Ethan meant it. He didn’t believe anything she said. Even if Cori was interested in him, he’d already explained it to her, so she wouldn’t pursue him any longer. And now with trews on, he was no longer worried with his other anxieties.
Shaw looked after her, his expression changing. “Did she threaten you?”
“Nay, she threatened Jennet. Wants me to ask Cori’s sire for her hand. I told her I wasn’t interested. I wish they would all leave me alone. They no longer have any hold on my mind, Shaw. I’m done with them.”
Shaw glanced at Torcall. “Ethan, you know Alva’s brother is mighty powerful. He wanders much, but he controls the Milton warriors when he’s here. And his friend comes from a different clan. They could call up many warriors. You should be careful around Alva. She’s a wee bit daft when it comes to men and threats. And my understanding is her brother will do whatever she asks.”
“He’s right, Ethan. Ludan is as daft as she is. He prefers to fight and doesn’t care the reason. You need to warn Jennet, and make sure you keep an eye on her during this festival. Too much could happen in this crowd.”
“My thanks to you, Shaw. I’ll keep a close eye on her, though I’ve not seen her. Have you?”
“We saw her sitting under a tree with Brigid and Tara. The last we saw them, they were all in a fit of giggles unlike I’ve seen before. Over near the burn, but that was a while ago.”
Ethan said, “Then I’ll find her soon.”
***
Jennet strode through the courtyard with her two cousins, happy to be with them again. Though it seemed that whenever all seemed right with the world, that niggling feeling would return about the situation with her father. Was he getting better? Did they all despise her for leaving? She would never know.
Tara said, “I cannot believe you left Ramsay land alone. My sire would kill me, but then again, my mother would make me stay in the hall and listen to her lectures for an entire moon. That would kill me too.”
“I was surprised after I calmed down. I did it without thinking.”
Brigid said, “Jennet, you never do anything without thinking. Never, ever in my life have I seen you do anything without thoroughly thinking it over. Your mind is constantly moving, thinking, strategizing. Tell me the truth about why you left.” She stopped and took Jennet’s hands in hers. “You’ve been my best friend forever. Why did you leave and put your life in danger?”
Hell, but she was about to cry again. She’d cried more times since her sire had taken ill than she had in the past ten years. She fought the tears that threatened to slide down her cheeks, fearful of the sobs that would consume her until she had no tears left. Her father had been her faithful friend, the one person who had always believed in her.
No matter how daft she’d seemed.
No matter how thoughtless she was.
No matter what concoction she’d created in her mother’s chamber.
Even when she’d turned the chicken blood over to the King of Scotland as evidence that Torrian had not taken Davina’s maidenhood, her mother had been furious, but her sire had hugged and kissed her incessantly. True, she and Brigid had been forbidden to do any experimental surgeries on animals without her mother’s presence, but the fact that some man had begged her for two vials had totally made it seem like a good reason to study the dead chicken.
Back then, she hadn’t understood the implications of her act, but now she did. Torrian would have been forced to marry into a vile and conniving family.
Brigid took her hand and pulled her over to a bench in the garden where none of the festival goers were allowed. “Why, Jennet? You’re not telling me everything.”
Jennet closed her eyes and whispered, “It wasn’t so much the fact that what I’d tried the first time didn’t work, it was the look in his eyes. I failed my father. He hated me for what I’d done. I know you both think I like being different, that I pride myself on how quick my mind is, but if I don’t have my mother’s and father’s unconditional love, I feel lost.” The tears won out in the end, and she fell against her cousin, hugging her tight, which was another thing she never did. “And I miss you, Brigid.”
There. She’d said it. She’d already lost her best friend. If she lost her father and mother, she’d be alone. “I need someone to believe in me, in the odd things I do.”
She cried for a wee bit before Brigid leaned back and said, “I’ll always believe in you, Jennet. Being married to Marcas doesn’t mean I don’t still love you. In fact, I’m still hoping at least one of you”—she glanced from Jennet to Tara—“will marry one of his brothers. Jennet, I think Ethan is a perfect fit for you. While I’m not sure yet about Shaw for you, Tara, I definitely hope you will pursue him.”
Jennet leaned back, pulling a linen square from a pocket sewn into her gown. She blew her nose, then stuffed it back inside. “I must stop this crying.”
Brigid grinned. “I’ve not seen you cry this often. When we were kidnapped, I was the one sobbing while you held strong.” She played with odd strands of Jennet’s hair that had come loose from her plait. “I know this has been a hard time for you—my marriage, your sire’s illness—but I believe in my heart that all will get better for you. Your heart is too good, Jennet, and you deserve happiness. You’re the hardest working person I know.”
“I wish someone would let us know how Uncle Quade is doing,” Tara said. “He could be much improved because of what you did. You must remember that people do things when they are ill they would never do usually. Especially if they’re in severe pain. Your father probably feels awful about what he did.”
Brigid added, “He may not recall trying to strike you. I expect a messenger in a day or two.”
They were interrupted by a beautiful blonde woman who strode right over to stand in front of Jennet as if she lived in the keep. Since she was from a different clan, she couldn’t help but wonder how the woman had found them, but she definitely marched with a certain intent, whatever it was. She’d already met Cori, but she looked much more upset than she’d seen her before.
Cori crossed her arms and said, “You need to leave. I’ve heard the rumors about you, you witch. Now I know why Ethan is no longer interested in me. You’ve cast a spell upon him. And I’ve heard of the other spells you’ve cast before. You are evil.” She turned to Brigid. “I know you are the chief’s mistress, and I trust in you, but this woman, whatever she is to you, has an evil core. She’s a sorceress.” She grabbed Brigid’s arm and twisted it. “Make her go away.”
Jennet’s temper got the best of her in that moment. How dare the bitch touch her friend! Inherently recalling a move her brother had taught her, she grabbed Cori’s arm and twisted it, at the same time putting pressure against her legs when she turned, forcing her to the ground. Jennet then flipped Cori onto her back and pinned her on the ground.
“Do not threaten me or any of my clan.”
“You are daft,” Cori said through clenched teeth. “You’ll regret this.”
Brigid said, “Go home, Cori. I’ll have Marcas escort you outside our gates. You are no longer welcome. Let her up, Jennet.” Brigid pulled her own dagger from between the folds of her skirt. “Move toward the gate.”
Cori spun around and said, “Don’t touch me. I’ll go on my own, but you’ll pay. You can count on it.”
Jennet said, “Leave now or I’ll curse you so every hair on your head falls out.”
Cori gave a soft wail, grabbing the top of her head as if to stop Jennet, then hurried toward the gates.
“She’s got no backbone,” Jennet said, watching her go.
Tara turned to Jennet and said, “You need to be careful. She’s capable of stirring up trouble. Don’t go anywhere alone.”
Brigid said, “Jennet, I’ve never seen you act like that. Your mind is always working and coming up with clever retorts, but that was a physical attack. ’Tis most unlike you. Is something else bothering you? Do you wish to explain why you did that?”
Jennet rolled her eyes. Brigid was correct, as she usually was because she knew her so well. She had to search deep into her belly to come up with any explanation for her behavior. “Mayhap I’m tired of the people on Black Isle attacking people I love. Coming here has shown me a different life, one I don’t truly understand. But they need to stop bothering you, Brigid. I didn’t like her threatening you.”
Brigid giggled, “I didn’t like it either. Hellfire, but she’s a bold one.”
Jennet couldn’t explain how she felt. Protective, she guessed. But she wasn’t going to allow Cori to upset her or Brigid.
Foolish bitch didn’t scare her.