Lady Miracle Read Free Page B

wind could blow away all the troubles that sat on his shoulders. He needed peace in his life; he had only turmoil of late. Now king and crown made more demands of him, and would challenge his honor in the bargain. But he had a sworn duty to his king as a Highland laird.
    He looked down at his left hand, fisting it, flexing the stiff fingers, feeling the ache in the ugly scarring there. “At least this the king gave me allows me to return to Dunsheen. I was reluctant to agree, but Sir Gavin Faulkener convinced me to help. I trust his judgment.”
    “Interesting that the Englishman is among Bruce’s closest advisors now. Bruce has many strong men around him with true hearts and clever minds. You as well, Dunsheen.”
    “It is a privilege, and poses difficult choices.” He shoved his fingers through his unruly brown hair. “But I agreed to watch for treason in my own sister’s husband, though Ranald MacSween claims utter loyalty.”
    “He holds Glas Eilean, island and castle, for the king, and guards the seaward entrance to the Isles with much dedication, seems to all. Why would the king suspect he is false?”
    “Has his reasons, I suppose. But if Ranald is a traitor, my sister will suffer for it too.”
    “Sorcha will not be blamed. We would not allow that.”
    “She will suffer in other ways,” Diarmid said sharply. “But I have no choice. English ships barricade the waters on the western coast and cut off Scottish trade routes. The Highland people are dependent on exports. My own galleys have engaged in sea warfare, and now we can only trade through Irish ports. And the king heard from an English source that Ranald is less than loyal. Glas Eilean is a key sea fortress. If there is a plot in the western Isles to harm Scotland, it must be exposed.”
    “Then we will watch MacSween for the king.”
    “Lately Bruce granted Glas Eilean’s charter to Gavin, who then gave it to his sister hoping to attract a strong Highland lord as her husband. Gavin cannot oversee Glas Eilean himself.”
    “Ah. MacSween will be furious! Who is Faulkener’s unmarried sister?”
    “A widow. Michaelmas is her name,” Diarmid said.
    “The woman in Perth?” Mungo gaped at him. “The one who helped my father when he was wounded on a battlefield?”
    “The very one. She owns Glas Eilean now.”
    “What a fine mess.” Mungo shook his head. “Now I see why you want her at Dunsheen. Does Gavin know you are wed already? You cannot marry this girl.”
    “I cannot, so I suggested one of my brothers for his sister.” She might hold a key to the king’s situation, but she held another key, too, one that could fulfill Diarmid’s vow to a child.
    Magic. The only true magic he had ever known had been in this lady’s hands, and he meant to find her. “She has become a skilled healer. Gavin says she had some medical training in Italy, and that she was wed and widowed there.”
    “Yet another healer.” Mungo sighed.
    “Just so. Come ahead.” Diarmid cantered toward Perth, where an angel dwelled.

CHAPTER TWO
    No sunshine once again, Michaelmas thought, and sighed. She had spent nine years in Italy, and often longed for warm sun. Standing in the doorway of the hospital building, holding a stack of clean, folded sheets, she lifted her face to the autumn breeze. The hems of her widow’s black surcoat and gown fluttered around her feet, and the air ruffled the linen wimple that framed her face.
    “Lady Michaelmas, bring the sheets inside.” An imperious female voice cut into her thoughts. “The sisters have stripped the beds to be remade.”
    “I am coming, Mother Agnes.” Michaelmas turned, but something caught her attention. In the distance, where blue hills encircled a glen, she saw two riders. She watched their progress for a moment, recognizing the wrapped plaids of Highlanders. Their sturdy mounts headed toward the hill on which the small hospital complex stood.
    Saint Leonard’s Hospital, enclosed within a stone wall,