Sword Dance by Marie Laval Page A

the corridor and slipped it on, making sure her hair was covered and her face partially hidden by the hood. Thankfully the staff were too busy ferrying tankards of ale from the taproom and plates of steaming mutton stew from the kitchen to Morven’s men who had taken over the dining room to pay her any attention.
    It was almost dark outside and a bitter wind blew a mix of icy rain and snow. Her boots squelched horse muck and mud as she walked across the yard. Once outside the entrance to the stable block, she pressed herself against the wall and listened.
    â€˜Where the hell can she be?’ Morven shouted.
    â€˜I lost her trace in Porthaven,’ McNeil answered. ‘I had her in my sights when she left the Nag’s Head. Then she was separated from McGunn’s man, and by the time I managed to get out of the mob on the square, she had vanished.’
    â€˜She’s only a woman, for Pete’s sake, and from North Africa! How can she survive on her own around here? We need to get hold of that damned journal. Lady Patricia’s health is declining with every passing day.’
    â€˜I sent more men out scouting the area around Porthaven. Hopefully they’ll find her soon.’
    â€˜Pity I didn’t ask those two idiots to get her bag when they had the chance at Sith Coille .’
    â€˜You weren’t to know that McGunn would get to her before you did,’ McNeil objected. ‘The man never ceases to amaze me. I lace his food, his tea and whisky with enough datura to kill an ox, and he’s still standing. He should be dead by now.’
    Rose drew in a sharp breath. Bruce was being poisoned! The nightmares, the migraines and the terrifying chest pains were all down to the datura McNeil mixed in his drinks.
    â€˜Much as I’ve enjoyed seeing McGunn suffer agonising pains and terror of tipping over the edge into madness, a shot in the back while he was out riding on the moors would have been quicker.’
    There was the sound of a man spitting on the floor.
    â€˜There’s a reason why we want his death to look natural – like his mother’s,’ Morven started. ‘You see…’
    â€˜Can I help you, miss?’ A man’s voice behind her made her jump.
    She turned to face a stable lad.
    â€˜No, thank you. I’m just…taking a walk.’
    Gathering the folds of the cloak in her hands, she hurried across the yard. She had to be fast and get into the inn before Morven or McNeil saw her.
    â€˜Hey you! Stop right now!’ McNeil called.
    Her heart beating in her throat, she started running, slipped on horse muck and barely managed to keep her balance. She was almost at the inn’s front door when a man’s hand slammed against her shoulder and spun her around.
    â€˜Well I’ll be damned!’ McNeil flicked her hood off and pulled her against him.
    His lips stretched into a smile, his bushy black eyebrows lifted into perfect v-shapes, which made him look sardonic, almost devilish.
    â€˜Miss Saintclair. Now that’s an unexpected turn of events.’
    She tried to yank free of his grasp.
    â€˜Take you dirty paw off me or I scream.’
    He threw his head back and laughed. ‘Go on then, and see if anyone cares.’
    With a panicked whimper, she realised he was right. Even if they were prepared to help her, there wasn’t much the innkeeper and a bunch of stable boys and servants could do against Morven’s thugs.
    â€˜So this is where you’ve been hiding,’ he added. ‘Lucky for us we stopped here for a bite to eat. And even luckier for us you were snooping around. What did you hear?’
    â€˜Everything! I know what you’ve done to Bru… I mean Lord McGunn. I know you’re poisoning him. You were probably Morven’s spy all along. You’re nothing but a coward and a traitor.
    She stared into his dark brown eyes, and saw only hatred.
    â€˜I did what I had to do. He took my woman