Chapter 99

After supper, they had a meeting in the parlor again, with guards at the doors. Frang insisted that both Isobel and Ailene would have a guard with them or outside their door at all times, even while they slept. Bjarkë agreed to set up a schedule with their most trustworthy people who would be with them constantly in six hour shifts. Frang directed it would apply even when Frang was in the room with Isobel because if he were asleep or otherwise "busy", the guard would be more alert and prepared for trouble than he would. Isobel complained it would give them very little privacy, but Frang reminded her it would be adults standing guard, not children and they would be familiar with what took place between husband and wife.

"Get used to them being there," Frang said when Ailene wanted to protest as well. "Even on the training grounds. Having someone watching your back while you're otherwise engaged in activities which focus your attention away from your own safety is critical. You already know what could happen to you if Blackthorne somehow grabs you. I'd not see either of you lying on some table like poor Màiri was. I'd never forgive myself, nor would Stuart if it were you, Ailene."

"The lad's right, my ladies," Bjarkë added. "Hopefully, it won't be for long, but until that bastard's brought to justice, extra precautions are merely prudent."

"Aye, I suppose," Isobel said. "I'm not happy about it, though."

"None of us are," Frang said. "People shouldn't have to worry about things like this."

There was a knock on the door and Frang called out, "Enter." A guard stuck his head through the door and said Mrs. McGillivrey was asking to speak to them and she had another maid in tow.

"Let them enter," Isobel said. "She wouldn't bother us if it weren't important."

Frang bid the guard to let them pass and Mrs. McGillivrey came in dragging a young maid behind her by the ear. She was struggling to get away until she was placed before them. At that point, she stilled and looked down at the floor. Mrs. McGillivrey let go of her ear.

"Pardon me, your Lordship. Lady Isobel asked me to keep a sharp eye out for folks what appeared to be spying and I found this lass poking about upstairs in the room over this one. It appears sound carries up the chimney to a room upstairs. She had her head stuck in the fireplace listening."

They all looked at one another. Was it already starting?

"Why are you spying on us?" Frang asked. "Have we offended you in some way?"

She said nothing.

"What's your name, girl?"

Again, nothing.

"She's named Meghan, Laird," Mrs. McGillivrey said, smacking the girl's head as she did so. "You answer your Laird, lassie or I'll cuff your head myself."

"Meghan," Frang said, "do you know what the penalty for spying on us is?"

Finally, she replied. "Nay, Laird."

"Fifty lashes with the whip. It will take the skin right off your back. If you survive, doubtful, a small girl like yourself; you're discharged and likely unable to find another job as a maid. Most women end up prostitutes, though it will be awhile before you're able to lie on your back for any man to fuck you. If a man even wants to fuck a woman who's back is so badly scarred. Aye, at least you'll be cheap enough for the field workers, fisherman and dock workers."

As Frang spoke, she grew whiter with each word. When he finished, she fainted dead away on the floor, no one fast enough to catch her.

Isobel said, "Could you bring some cold water and a clean rag, Mrs. McGillivrey?"

"Aye, Ma'am." She went running off to the kitchen.

"Would you really whip the skin of her back?" Ailene asked.

"Nay, I merely hoped to frighten her into speaking," Frang replied.

"It may have worked if she hadn't fainted, husband. I want to tell you everything I know," Isobel said.

Frang smiled at her. After Mrs. McGillivrey returned, Isobel took the cloth and dipped it in the water. She started wiping the girl's face until she opened her eyes.

"Bjarkë, stand her up," Frang ordered. "Don't let her hit the floor again."

Bjarkë picked her up like a rag doll, turning her to face her Laird. Frang looked her over, as if studying some new insect.

"I suppose we could begin carrying out her punishment now. Bring her down to the barn and lay the whip to her," he paused, "or perhaps she'd like to do something to lessen her punishment."

Meghan began crying and screaming, "Anything, Laird! What must I do? How can I make my punishment less?"

"You can begin by speaking. Why are you spying on us?"

"I didn't want to do it. When first asked by McTavish, I said I wouldn't. About a week ago, a man came to me while I was home. He said he had a message for me from Lord Blackthorne. He pointed to my little sister and said if I didn't spy on you, men would come and take her away and she would be tortured and killed and her death would be on me. I only did it to protect my sister, Laird. God's own truth."

Frang turned to Cyrus McTeague. "Does she have a little sister, McTeague?"

"She does, Laird."

They all looked at one another again. "My God!" exclaimed, Ailene. "Will the man stop at nothing?"

"Apparently not," Frang said. "It's why I want no more argument about having guards around you all the time. Bjarkë, see to it. Twenty-four hour protection for both of them. Post a guard every time we have another meeting in the room above us where this one was found. I'll not have anyone else listening in to our conversations."

"Yes, nephew. I'll see to it."

Frang regarded Meghan again. "What am I going to do with you?" He wondered out loud.

McTeague said, "I'm not wholly sure I could remain loyal were someone to threaten my wife, Laird."

"That's the problem," Frang said. "We all have weak points. The only ones who may not would be those with no family in the immediate area. Anyone can be turned against us."

"If we dismiss her, will Blackthorne still go after her sister, or could he possibly go after her?" Ailene asked.

"I've no idea what the man might bloody well do!" Frang exclaimed. "I'm at a loss as to how he thinks."

They were all silent for quite some time, thinking. Meghan wondered if she'd done enough to reduce her penalty. Even if it were 25 lashes, it would still be bad, but she might survive. When the silence went on, she began to worry she hadn't done enough.

Meghan coughed. "My Lord," she said, "have I done enough to lighten my punishment. Even half I might survive, Laird."

He looked at her, still held in the rigid grip of Bjarkë.

"We're not going to lash you, girl." He thought a minute more, then asked, "Have you heard what happened to the maid, Màiri, who was taken by Blackthorne after she stole from us?"

"Nay, Laird. I've heard only the rumors, sir."

"Ailene, why don't you inform Meghan what happened to her, to the last ugly detail."

Item by item, wound by wound, Ailene explained every injury suffered by Màiri. Frang watched her face become increasingly pale and became concerned she might faint again, but she managed to remain upright, though by the time Ailene was done, her face was sheet white and a mask of horror. Mrs. McGillivrey had not heard the full details herself and had to take a seat as the torments were itemized in graphic detail.

When the full litany had been gone over, Frang said, "Do you understand all this was done to an innocent young girl who had done Blackthorne no wrong, but merely might have knowledge he wanted. Long after he had wrung the smallest bit of information from her, he continued to torture her for more. I suspect he has a deep seated hatred of women and a love of causing pain unknown to any but the foulest demons of hell. My problem is what to do with you. If I let you go, will he take you and try to wring more information from you as he did Màiri? I'd hate for it to happen, even if you deserve it for your disloyalty. I'm also concerned for your little sister. What will happen to her if Blackthorne doesn't believe you're cooperating? She's an innocent in all this."

Meghan stood with her head bowed, thankful she wasn't going to be lashed, but still concerned what might happen if she was dismissed. The story about what happened to Màiri had scared hell out of her and she worried Blackthorne could do the same to her. Why did Blackthorne choose her to spy? Was it only because her little sister was such an easy target?