Highland Master Read Online Free PDF Page A

to find out the truth. E’en Lady McKee’s warning was gentle and vague.”
    “There is one thing ye could do if ye think I am nay as safe as I should be here.”
    “And what is that?” asked Brett, not trusting the sweet smile she gave him.
    “See if ye can give those poor lads out there a little skill. The men who went to France clearly didnae train anyone to take their place.”
    “That is true enough,” muttered Callum. “I havenae seen such lack of skill in a verra long time, leastwise nay in the men who should be guarding the gates.”
    They all fell silent when Nessa and two young girls came to clear away the remains of the meal and set out fruit and tarts for them to enjoy. Again, unlike the older Nessa, the young girls revealed their lack of training, being hesitant and just a little awkward. Brett decided that the fever Arianna had spoken of had taken a great toll amongst the ones who served in the manor.
    “Are ye certain the fever has left the area?” he asked the moment they were alone again.
    “Aye,” replied Arianna as she cut up an apple. “I spoke of worrying about my child, and Mary was very concerned but assured me that no one has had e’en the smallest of illnesses since the last one died of the fever. It took people quickly and viciously, from all she said. Came into the village and the manor and cut them down and was gone within a fortnight, only the still sick and dying left behind. She said it also hit Gormfeurach, the land to the west. Poor child lost two sisters and her mother. That all happened about two years ago.”
    “I have heard of such things, but such a fierce, quick, deadly illness is often found in cities or within the ranks of an army. ’Tis odd to hear of one out here where there are nay a lot of people crowded together.”
    “Mary told me that Nessa thinks it came through with some drovers. After they recovered, a few men found new graves a few miles down along the drovers’ route. She also recalls that one of the men didnae look verra hale, but the men came and went so quickly none thought of it until the first one of their own fell ill.”
    “They must have stopped at the other keep as weel then.”
    “Or someone from Banuilt passed it on, because Mary said the two wee clans were verra close until recently.”
    “Ah, something to look into. It may be just that the people at Gormfeurach blame the people here for the sickness, but there could be more to it.”
    “There may be, for I think Mary would have said if it was just blame for the fever. After all, it could just as easily have been someone from Gormfeurach who passed it to the drovers or one of the people here.” Arianna glanced toward the doors of the great hall and smiled when Triona stepped into the room a heartbeat later. “Just in time for the sweet, Cousin.”
    “I am sorry I left ye to yourselves like that, but Ella isnae used to our having guests, and it may take her time to understand that she will have to wait for some things,” said Triona as she sat down next to Arianna. “I did just explain it to her, but I am nay sure she is old enough to grasp that truth yet. There is also the chance she just may nay wish to grasp it, either.”
    “Weel, we dinnae mind if ye have to leave to tend to your child from time to time. Ye must nay think that ye have to be at our beck and call. I have imposed my company”—she nodded at the men—“and theirs, upon ye without invitation. I apologize for that.”
    “Nay need. I fear I have nay thought to invite anyone since my husband died, and in truth, he didnae invite many here before that. He preferred to go to them.” He had also preferred her not to mingle with them much at all, but her cousin did not need to know that.
    “Weel, allow me to tell ye all the news I have then, as it appears ye dinnae get verra much out here.”
    Triona poured herself some cider and listened raptly as Arianna told her about France and Scarglas. The tales of the MacFingals,