His gaze settled on Margot, sat at the top table, her lady-in-waiting at her side. He narrowed his eyes as they conversed, heads together. Neither of them could be trusted. While he did all he could to watch her and keep her from his father's side, she was still the laird’s wife and there was a limit to his power. Somehow she ensured his father stayed bedridden.
His closest friend, Finn, told him he was foolish to blame his father's ill health on Margot but he knew it was her.
Knowing eyes connected with his and a sly smile skimmed across Margot's lips.
Without a doubt, the woman wanted his father dead. If he had succeeded all those years ago, he would have had solid proof. As it was, none believed him, not even his father. But his father was so blinded by her beauty and seductive ways.
Aware he was glowering, he stomped across the hall, briefly patting a hand to Finn's shoulder as he sat at the end of the table.
Finn dipped his head in greeting and grinned. "Good morrow, laird."
"Good morrow."
"Sleep well?"
Morgann rolled his eyes as he caught the lewd edge to Finn's grin. "Aye, well enough," he replied curtly.
“And how is our guest?" Margot leaned over, drink in hand as she pressed her breast into his arm.
"I know not."
"And how could that be? Ye slept in her chambers all night did ye not?” She smiled seductively. “Or mayhap ye did little sleeping?”
Morgann tried to shift away but she moved closer, thigh brushing his through her gown. "I was there to ensure she didnae attempt an escape, naught more."
"Are ye expecting me to believe ye spent the night with a pretty lass and did naught? Or mayhap she rejected ye?” Margot laughed lightly.
“Rejected ye?” Finn interrupted. “Surely not. Morgann has never been rejected by a lass!”
“Naught happened,” Morgann said firmly as he snatched a chunk of bread from the platter in front of him.
“Well,” Margot declared, eyeing him over the edge of her wine cup, “no one will believe it. Ye might as well have taken yer pleasure for she’s all but ruined now.”
“Naught happened,” he repeated through clenched teeth. “And anyone caught saying otherwise will have me to deal with.” He glared at Margot and she backed away, sniffing dismissively.
Morgann turned his attention to his meal though he had little appetite. He satisfied himself with a long drink of ale. Being sat next to Margot often stole his appetite but he suspected it was another woman who robbed him of it this day. Draining his cup, he swiped his mouth with the back of a hand and caught Finn studying him.
"Ye want something?"
Finn chuckled. "Nay, laird, naught."
"Then cease staring at me like some lovesick lassie."
The smile on his friend's face expanded at this. "I dinnae think I'm the one behaving like a lovesick lassie."
Morgann groaned inwardly. If Finn recognised his idiotic behaviour then mayhap everyone else had too. Though Finn knew him better than anyone.
Instead of confronting him, knowing full well that Finn took great delight in riling him, he came to his feet, bending to address him briefly. "I've to see to my duties. Will ye check in on our guest? I dinnae trust her and, in the light of day, she may try something else." He turned and paused, a hand to Finn’s shoulder. "And dinnae let Margot near her," he murmured.
Finn rolled his eyes and nodded. "Aye, of course. I'll no' let the little lass get the better of me, never ye fear."
Morgann ignored the veiled insult, well used to Finn's antics. "Aye. Good day to ye then. I'll come check on our guest shortly."
Pushing past the servants clearing away the food, Morgann stepped out of the arched doorway and stood on the bridge that connected the courtyard to the castle. He sucked in a long breath and studied the clear skies with a frown.
An odd storm indeed, the one that caught them both unawares. Almost as if the fates intended for them to be stuck out in the hills. Shaking away the foolish notion, he marched across the bridge and took the stairs up to the ramparts, two at a time. A fresh breeze blew over the top of the wall bringing a sense of promise.
Something was to change. He could feel it. Hopefully his missive would be in Laird Dougall's hands before long and he now had no choice but to admit the truth to his father. Finally Glencolum would be free of the witch’s conniving schemes and his clan truly safe.
***
Alana moaned as Morgann wrapped his thick hands around her wrists, pinning them down as he assaulted her mouth again. Mindlessly she rocked her body up into him, the warmth of his mouth drowning out everything. Only heat and hardness and heavy breathing existed.
She opened her eyes and a blanket of red greeted her. She scowled and tried to tug her hands free from Morgann’s grip but he refused to release her. As her tired eyes cleared, she realised Morgann had gone. And she wasn’t in her bed at home. Alana struggled to rub the sleep from her eyes but something yanked on her wrists.