Highland Heather - Highland Heather Part 79
Library

Highland Heather Part 79

Brenna climbed the stairs, rehearsing the things she would say to Windham. She would appeal to his honor as a gentle r man and as a friend of the queen. She would remind him of the hospitality shown by Morgan while Windham was his guest. And if all else failed, she would beg him to return the jewels and she would agree to sign a document attesting to her debt on Cordell's behalf.

She knew that she was taking a dangerous risk. But she no longer had anything to lose. If she tried and failed, she would lose Morgan. But if she did nothing, she would still lose Morgan. One desperate thought echoed in her mind. If she succeeded, she would have everything her heart had ever desired.

She paused outside the door, then lifted her hand and knocked.

"Enter."

Brenna stepped inside.

Lord Windham sat before a cozy fire, enjoying a sumptuous meal. His smile was dazzling.

"My lady. Come in. Join me in a celebration feast."

"Forgive my intrusion. I will be but a moment."

"Nay." His evil smile grew.

"You are a part of the celebration."

She felt a sudden chill at his words.

"What are you celebrating, my lord?"

"A new era for England. A time of great wealth and power for me."

"Wealth." She misunderstood his meaning.

"You mean the Grey jewels.

About those jewels, my lord. "

"These?" He held up the little pouch, and Brenna took a step closer.

"Aye. I came to ask that you return them."

"Of course you did."

"You do not mind?"

He threw back his head and laughed.

"Mind? My lady, it is exactly as I had planned it."

She paused, puzzled by his words.

"I do not understand."

He lifted a goblet of wine to his lips and drained it. Scraping back his chair he stood.

"Come closer, my lady."

When she hesitated, he caught her roughly by the arm and dragged her close.

His voice, which only seconds ago had been jovial, was now low and deadly.

"When I give an order, you must comply immediately. Do you understand?"

She felt the sting of his hot breath and was reminded of the man who attacked her in the night. Her eyes widened.

"It was you. That night in Morgan's room. It was you."

He gave her an evil smile.

"Do you remember the lesson I taught you?"

Without thinking she touched a hand to the scar on her arm.

He pulled out a chair and ordered her to sit. When she refused he brought his hand across her face, slapping her so hard it snapped her head to one side.

"Now," he said, as quietly as if nothing had happened, "you will do as I order. Sit down."

It was as she had known the night of her attack. Only a madman could behave in such fashion, one minute calm, almost serene; the next vicious.

Her hand went to the knife at her waist. As if reading her mind, Windham twisted it viciously from her hand and gave her a crashing blow to the temple.

Stunned, Brenna sank into the chair and watched as Windham pulled out a scroll and began writing. When that note was finished he wrote a second, then tugged on a cord. A few minutes later the serving wench stood at the door. Windham handed her the notes and several coins, then gave her detailed instructions on how the notes were to be delivered.

He sat down at the table, filled his goblet and drank.

"We should not have to wait too long." His eyes glittered with a feverish light.

"Then everything that was once Morgan Grey's will be mine. Including you, my lady."

The queen read the note that had been delivered, then gave a little cry of pleasure.

"What a perfect ending to my visit at Greystone.

Morgan says that the weather is improving. " She lifted her skirts and rushed to the window.

"Aye.

Though it is still quite misty, I can see the sun breaking just beyond those trees. " She tossed down the missive and turned to her ladies.

"We must hurry and change into suitable clothing. We are going on a hunt."

Morgan looked up from the ledgers as Mistress Leems entered.

"There is a messenger here from the village, my lord."