Amanda Scott Read Free Page B

Lochaber for a few weeks to be married from a kinsman’s home. That is one reason we traveled the route we did.”
    “Only one?” She heard the sarcasm in her tone and felt no surprise at seeing a flash of anger in his eyes.
    “You will recall that we met one or two folks along the way,” he said evenly.
    “I do, although we did not meet very many.”
    “My lads told each one that we were headed for a different destination. Then, forbye, it was dark when we passed through the glen. Most folks paid us no heed. We might have been Campbells or a party of soldiers, for all they saw, and they do not venture out after dark without good cause. Then, too …” He hesitated.
    “What?”
    “I wanted a look at Balcardane to see if Black Duncan was stirring.”
    “Why?”
    “Thought he might take undesirable interest in the lass Gentle Ian wanted.”
    “Black Duncan takes no interest in me,” she said with a grimace. “He and Balcardane did not want Ian to have anything to do with me, which is why we never got properly betrothed. I’ve told you that many a time before now.”
    “You had best hope that it’s the truth.”
    “It is. But, Ewan, what do you want? Forcing me to stay makes no sense.”
    “I’ve no reason not to tell you, I suppose. I’ve use for your gift.”
    “My gift?”
    “Aye, sure, and you need not look as if I were speaking in tongues, lass. I ken fine that you’re a seventh daughter of a seventh daughter, and that you possess the gift of second sight.”
    “I still don’t understand,” Mary said, wholly bewildered now. “What can the Sight have to do with your wish to marry me?”
    “Everything,” he said flatly. “A seer told me that the only way to find a certain thing that’s been lost to the MacCrichtons is through a seventh daughter.”
    “But the Sight cannot find lost articles,” she protested. “Truly, sir, you do not understand. All it has ever shown me is the face of a dear one who died suddenly.”
    He made a dismissive gesture. “Don’t argue. You have the gift of healing, for I’ve heard many speak of it. Men ask you to wash your hands in the water you use to clean their wounds. People with the Sight can find lost bodies, too, for I’ve heard of such myself, so why should you not find lost treasure?”
    “Treasure?”
    He spread his hands. “Just a manner of speaking, lass. Once I’ve explained the whole, you will understand right enough. First, though, we’ll be man and wife.”
    “I am not going to be your wife, Ewan.”
    “Aye, then, you are, for another law I’ve looked into makes it necessary.”
    “What law is that?”
    “So long as you are my wife, what you find belongs to me. Otherwise, if you find what I seek, the Crown may claim it instead. I cannot have that. We’ve no need to talk more about it tonight, however,” he added. “The hour grows late, and you must be longing for your bed. I’ll take you upstairs now.”
    He signed to the boy squatting by the wall near the stairs. “Bring a torch, lad, and look lively unless you want to feel my whip across your back.”
    The boy leapt to take a torch from one of the men, holding it aloft with difficulty. Watching him stagger seemed to amuse Ewan, for he chuckled.
    With nowhere else to go at that hour, Mary could see nothing to gain by arguing, and despite that chuckle, her stinging cheek reminded her of what the likely outcome of an argument would be. Therefore, she allowed Ewan to urge her in the wake of the child up the twisting stone stairway.
    “Bar the gates and set a good watch,” he said in passing to a man near the doorway. “I think we’ve flummoxed the lot of them, but it’s as well to take care.”
    “Aye, master.”
    The stair went up and up, around and around, past other chambers in which Mary saw carpets and elegant, albeit shabby, furniture. At the top of the stairway they came to a stout oak door. Ewan pushed it open, revealing a room that boasted a once-bright Turkey carpet,