The Devil's Laird Read online

  “I’m so hot,” Siena complained. “I want to be cool.”

  “’Tis the fever talking.” Agatha took the cloth from Siena and dipped it in the cold water, then she squeezed the water out. “Come milady, you can hold the cool cloth to your head.” Agatha gripped Siena firmly by the elbow and slipped the shoes back on her feet. “Let’s go to our new home. I’m anxious to see it, and to get warm. I’m not sure I can feel my toes at the moment.”

  Siena let Agatha steady her as they made their way back to camp. Siena followed Agatha like a small, lost puppy. Then strong arms lifted her off the ground. The next thing she knew she’d been settled in front of Roderick on his giant warhorse. Truth be told, she was glad, so she could rest her head on his chest, but she felt she should protest … just a little. “I should ride my own horse. I don’t want to be a bother,” she mumbled.

  “The black is sturdier than yer palfrey,” Roderick explained. “Besides, I’m no sure ye could stay on yer horse for hours without falling off and adding more injuries to what ye already have.”

  Siena was too tired to protest. Instead, she leaned back and welcomed the strength of his arms supporting her, and strangely enough, she felt safe with someone she’d once thought of as the enemy. The slow steady gait of the horse soon lulled her into a restful sleep.

  Roderick really wasn’t sure why he didn’t let one of the other men carry Siena. They were capable, but for some strange reason he didn’t want them touching her. He glanced down at her. She reminded him of a stray animal that someone had thrown out because they didn’t want them.

  By the end of the day, they would be home where she could receive proper care. In the meantime, she'd better not die on him. He forbade it.

  Roderick held his left hand up for the procession to stop. “We’ll have to go single file through the pass,” he said to Duncan.

  Roderick had no sooner gotten the words out of his mouth when Siena jerked to a sitting position, and he had to hold on to her, so she wouldn’t fall. The lass was dangerous when she first awoke from sleep.

  “You must not go!” she warned him, clutching his plaid.

  “Go where, lass?”

  “Through the Blue Pass. It is dangerous. They wait to attack you.”

  “Yer fever has made ye daft,” Roderick told her. However, something gave him pause as he looked into her bloodshot eyes. How did she know they were getting ready to go through a pass when she’d been fast asleep?

  “Not fever. I saw them.”

  Roderick was listening now. “Go ahead.”

  “It’s a trap. Five men are waiting to attack you once you proceed through the pass. Be careful,” she said the last in a whisper as she collapsed against him.

  Duncan had ridden up beside them. “Back at the castle, they said Lady Siena could see things,” he said. “Do you suppose…?”

  “Ah, wull I’m no’ sure I believe in seein’ things, but yet --. We’ll take no chance. Leave the women here,” Roderick said as he turned his mount around. “Gareth, take the men up through the trees and root out what is up there. We’ll give ye a head start, and then Duncan and I will ride through the pass. With any luck, that will draw out whoever is there.”

  Gareth was quick to obey.

  They stopped in a small clearing. Duncan spread out two red tartans on the frost-covered ground, and then took the girl from Roderick. Siena moaned. “Och, she still burns with fever.”

  “Aye, hopefully we will be home before sunset and she can get some rest.” Roderick turned. “Agatha, stay here with yer mistress. I’ll come back for ye as soon as I know it’s safe.”

  “Don’t forget us,” Agatha pleaded.

  “How could I forget ye?” Roderick said with what he hoped was a smile.

  He felt better with his arms free. Now they would see if what Siena had said was true. “I’ll go first,” Roderick said to Duncan. “Keep an eye out.”

  The path was wide enough for two, but most of the time they came through the pass single file to be safe. Birch trees were to the left and on the right-side oaks grew out of the sides of the hill. Slowly, they made their way on the winding path. They had barely swung around the bend, when bellowed war cries ripped the air and two men jumped out of the bushes at them.

  Roderick nudged Hercules toward the man on the left and lunged off his horse, taking the assailant down. He heard Duncan cursing and ranting as he swung his sword to end the life of the other man.

  Roderick jerked his man up by the front of his shirt. “Who are ye?”

  “We heard you have the White Witch.”

  “I have no witch.” Roderick shook the man. “Who sent ye?”

  The man’s eyes were wide with fear, however, he said in a choked voice, “Lord Malcolm needs the White Witch. . . Fidach’s sister.”

  “And the reason he needs her?”

  “S--She is the key to finding the Holy Grail.”

  Roderick straightened, then shoved the man away from him, knocking him on his backside. “Such English nonsense. This day, I will let ye live, and ye can tell Malcolm he need not bother Fidach’s sister again. She is under my protection. And she is no witch.”

  The soldier jumped to his feet, turned, and ran back down the path.

  “Let’s go back, get the women, and meet up wi’ the others,” Roderick said. “I dinna think there are any more attackers. The lads did a good job up top.”

  “Aye. But what about this White Witch?” Duncan asked.

  “Sounds like nonsense to me. Remember, we found her ready to be hanged. If there were such things as witches, she’d been able to get away without our help.”

  “Aye,” Duncan said.

  It didn’t take them any time before they arrived back at the clearing to find the rest of his men and Agatha. “Where is your mistress?” Roderick bellowed, unable to believe that Siena wasn’t where he’d left her.

  Agatha was ringing her hands, clearly agitated. “T--two soldiers came and took her, sire. I couldn’t stop them.” Her lip was bleeding. Evidently, she’d tried to stop them from taking the girl. “They went that way.” She pointed.

  Roderick blew out his breath in disgust. “The rest of ye take Agatha and head for home. I’m going after my captive.”

  “Ye need me to ride wi’ ye?” Duncan asked.

  “Nay. I will make better time by myself. I’ll see ye back at Black Dawn.”

  “The lass is a lot of trouble, and she isn’t even conscious.” Duncan chuckled. “Canna imagine what it’s going to be like once she is alert.”

  Roderick gave Duncan a half-smile. “Of that, you and I agree. But she is mine, and I dinna appreciate someone takin’ her from me.”

  Siena awoke to suffocating heat.

  She was bundled up much too tight. A flicker of apprehension coursed through her. She needed air. And she needed it now!

  “Let me out!” she cried. When she received no response, she began thrashing until her arms were free. How dare Roderick treat her as a sack of grain. Had something happened for him to change his mind? He’d been so gentle when he bandaged her arm this morning . . . now this.

  Finally, her head and arms were free of the blanket, and when she could see it wasn’t Roderick, she punched the person who held her. “I said to let me out!” She landed a blow to the man’s jaw. Her panic had given her strength of two men. The man’s head jerked back, and he swore and loosened his grip.

  “I cannot hold her,” the stranger called out as his horse danced around in a circle. Finally, the animal reared, throwing both of them to the ground.

  Siena landed on her back, knocking the breath from her body. It took several gasps before she could breathe again. She didn’t recognize these men, so she figured they were some of her brother’s thugs. But what disturbed her most was that she had no knowledge of being put on a horse or how she ended up here. She vaguely remembered bathing in a stream this morning, but nothing more.

  She realized her fever had broken because her arms were damp
from sweat, and her head didn’t hurt as it once had. At least she could think clearly now that her mind wasn’t in such a haze. However, she had no idea how she was going to get out of this mess.

  “W--where is Laird Scott?”

  “Dead, we hope,” said one of the men.

  She swallowed hard. Roderick couldn’t be dead, surely these men were lying.

  The other man, a dark-skinned soldier said, “Get the White Witch. We need to make time lest our brothers were not successful in killing the Devil’s Laird.”

  “Who are you?” she repeated as she scrambled to her feet and backed away. A wave of apprehension swept through her. She knew she was still weak because she hurt all over but fight them she would. There was no way she would go with these men.

  “We were instructed to bring the White Witch to Lord Malcolm,” replied the man who had been holding her.

  Siena had heard people call her the White Witch before, but she’d never been sure what they meant. However, if these two men thought her a witch, maybe she could use it to her advantage.

  Slowly, she straightened and raised her arms over her head. She smiled benignly, as if dealing with temperamental children. She took a deep breath and began to chant in a loud dead voice.

  “Whatever evil comes to me.

  May it be returned to you three times three.”

  She pointed at the men.

  “To whoever sent you, so mote it be.

  That death will come to you and he.”

  She broke out in hysterical laughter and twirled around for effect. Her black hair swished straight out as she spun around.

  “D--did you hear that James?” the man sputtered. “She is putting a curse on us.”

  It took two tries before James managed to mount his horse because his foot kept slipping. “Aye. Let’s get out of here.”

  Siena started toward them her hands held out in front of her, repeating her chant. She’d never seen men move so fast as they jerked their horses around and galloped away from her.

  That was rather fun.

  Siena let her breath out slowly. A little too late, she realized that she should have demanded they leave her a horse. However, she couldn’t stay here so she turned and started back the way she’d come, or the way she thought they had come. She wasn’t sure what she would find, but the other way would take her back to her home and she definitely didn’t want to go back there.

  This was the second time in the last few days she’d taken up for herself, and she really liked the feeling of power. A sense of strength came to her and her despair lessened. She swore that from this day forth, she would take care of herself and would never be at the mercy of a man ever again.

  Slowly, she put one foot in front of the other, even though they felt very heavy, and headed down the road. She hoped the men were lying about Roderick being dead. She wasn’t sure she was worth his effort to save her a second time. Still, she hoped he had Agatha and would be looking for her.

  Roderick couldn’t remember when he’d felt such an urgency to find someone other than his family, and that had not turned out well. He would kill the men if they had hurt Siena. He kept reminding himself to be reasonable, but he wasn’t listening to himself. Siena was his. And he’d never cared for men taking what belonged to him.

  Hercules cantered down the path until Roderick pulled the beast to a halt. He dismounted and checked the ground to see if the tracks were fresh. Rubbing his hand across the dirt, he felt the impressions. There appeared to be two riders, so overcoming them would be simple. Nothing like a good fight, he thought as he mounted.

  He nudged Hercules with his heels and they were off down the wood covered road. He’d been traveling for a while and growing more irritated by the moment that he’d not caught up with the bandits. Then he spotted someone up ahead.

  At last.

  Roderick halted ten yards in front of the person. He sensed a trap. However, it appeared to be Siena standing in the middle of the road all by herself with no one around. He reached behind him and pulled out a long dagger and laid it on his leg, so no one could see the weapon.

  “Are you alone, Siena?” Roderick shouted.

  “Yes.”

  “Saints above!” he swore to himself. “How had she escaped?” he asked his horse, not expecting a response, but dumbfounded at what he was seeing. She looked like she was taking a stroll down the road. Not very steady, as she was swaying from side to side, but she was on her feet. A great accomplishment, considering he’d last seen her lying on his plaid.

  Roderick slipped his knife back in place. He dismounted and walked the short distance over to her. Hercules followed him. He took in her disheveled appearance before he asked, “Are ye hurt?”

  “You came for me,” she said with a surprised expression. And then she smiled. It was the first time he had seen her do so, and his heart swelled with feelings he’d thought long dead.

  “Aye, I came for ye,” Roderick replied. “You are my …” He started to say prisoner, but she wasn’t exactly that. “Ah, wull, ye are mine, and I always take care of what belongs to me.”

  He saw surprise on her face as she said, “Thank you.”

  There was something odd about this woman. He was glad to see both her eyes were open and clear. He knew the fever had passed. One eye still had a blue-colored bruise, but the swelling had gone down. “Where are the men who took ye?”

  “Gone back the way they came.”

  Something really wasn’t making any sense to him. Why would they go through the trouble of taking her, and then let her go? He would wait and ask her more questions on the ride home. “Here, let me help you in the saddle. I’m glad to see yer fever is gone.” He placed his hands on her small waist and lifted her up onto Hercules, and then mounted behind her.

  “Yes, but I’m still as weak as a kitten.” She sighed. “However, I’m sure I’ll feel fine in a few days.”

  Roderick saw the wild haunted look in her eyes and wondered if she was still afraid. He wrapped his plaid around her and settled her on his lap. Then he turned his mount and they started for home. “Tell me how ye got away, and who or why did they take you?”

  When she failed to answer him, he glanced down and saw that again she slept soundly. Evidently, she trusted him to fall asleep so quickly. Since he’d found her, she’d been unconscious or asleep. What would she be like when she was fully awake?

  “Perhaps later, I will find out.” Roderick chuckled then nudged his horse forward. His questions would have to wait for now.

  Chapter 5

  Siena felt herself swaying.

  Slowly, she opened her eyes and found she had her arm wrapped around Roderick’s back. What must he think of her? Ladies should hold themselves erect and not slouch over a man like she was doing. However, there was something about Roderick that was so warm and comforting that she could stay like this forever. Her heart thumped rapidly as she raised her eyes to his chin.

  “I’m so sorry I’ve dozed off again,” she said, feeling Roderick’s strength radiating around her. She pulled her arm from around his back. “I realize I have been a lot of trouble.” She glanced up at him to see if he was frowning before she rushed on, “I’m surprised you didn’t leave me behind.”

  “I canna deny it has been interestin’,” Roderick said with a smile. “A hanging and a kidnapping in two days. Aye, ye do make life fascinating, lass.”

  “Life hasn’t been normal lately, if it ever was.”

  Siena sat straighter trying to stretch her back the best she could on a horse, bumping Roderick’s chin in the process. “Sorry.” She felt her cheeks warm with a blush. “Do we have much further to go?”

  “Two hours, perhaps.” Roderick placed her head back under his chin, and then realized she hadn’t answered his question. “Tell me, lass did ye ken those men who kidnapped you?”

  “Nay. They kept calling me the White Witch, but as far as I know, I’ve never seen the men before.” She tilted her head to the side like she w
as trying to figure out something. “How did they take me away from you?”

  Roderick decided to ignore her question. “Perhaps, they were friends of yer brother?”

  “I have no idea,” Siena sighed, then rested her head on his chest, deciding it was much more relaxing than sitting straight up. She couldn’t understand why she was so relaxed when she was around Roderick. She’d had very little contentment in her life, but now she would have to admit the coziness of a man’s arms around her was very nice.

  “How did ye get away?”

  “Since they thought I was a witch, I merely acted the part: kind of daft like, waving my hands over my head and chanting a curse.” She laughed as she pictured the scene. “You should have seen them run.”

  Roderick chuckled. “I bet it was a sight.” Strange, he thought. He’d laughed more in the last two days than he ever had before. It was odd to experience just the slightest bit of mirth when he’d been bitter for so long. He didn’t understand how Siena made him feel so different, but she did.

  “I did not understand their talk about the Holy Grail,” Siena said with a frown. “How would I know anything about a Grail? What where they talking about?”

  “The cup of Christ,” Roderick said quickly, then when she still looked confused he continued, “’Tis said that he who has the cup will rule the world. The English have searched long and wide for the cup and most have died on their quest.”

  “And the Scots?”

  “Ah wull, we rarely chase after anything other than our enemies.”

  “And the fairies?”

  “Och, ye got me there, lass.”

  She turned those bright blue eyes up to look at him. “I have no idea why someone would think I could find something that has been lost for hundreds of years.”

  “Evidently, they think the White Witch can find the Grail.”

  He saw the worry in her eyes. “We willna worry about it for now. You will be safe with me that I can promise ye.”