Knight Protector (Knight Chronicles) Read Online Free PDF Page A

fingers as he spoke. “The Strathnaver
dualchas
fainne
and his badge are missing. Some other jewels are nae here, but ’twould surprise me if he wore them in bed.”
    She twisted her hands and looked everywhere but at Colin.
    “Sorcha? What are you nae telling me?”
    “Brice had me hide his clan badge. ’Twas his dying wish, so I could nae refuse him.”
    “Where is the badge, and what of the ring?”
    She straightened and crossed her arms in front of her. “I know nothing of the inheritance ring. He claimed I deserved the coin and jewelry he gave me as atonement for wrongs done the MacKais and hoped I wouldna take any old resentments out on innocent people.”
    Colin snorted. “’Tis like him to imagine that coins and gems could mend all sins but not consider the difficulties his supposed kindness placed on your shoulders.”
    Her posture faltered a bit, and she blinked at him in surprise before recovering her stance.
    Did she think he would nae understand how selfish Brice’s bequest had been? “’Tis a shame you dinna know where the
dualchas
fainne
is.”
    “True.” She snapped the word. “Without it I canna be sure exactly what I have inherited. You showing up alive complicates matters.”
    He nodded. “’Tis best if you discover the truth as soon as possible. Even without the ring, the steward should be able to tell you what is owed Brice’s widow. However, since I am nae dead, the
dualchas
ring is mine, and I would have it back.”
    She pressed her lips together and tugged on her braid. “You must find it first. All who live here will find it odd if Brice didna wear the jewel.”
    “I suppose I could claim it was stolen from me. ’Twas ever my twin’s favorite excuse whenever he gambled away family heirlooms.” He sighed. “Now where have you hidden the badge?”
    “Where Brice requested I put it, in the hollow of a tree within that stand of pines on the far side of the loch.”
    “I know the place; all those trees look the same. Can you find the right one again?”
    “I think so. But I hid the badge more than a week ago. Brice asked me to ride out in different directions every day at dusk for the last two weeks. He dinna say why, but I guessed ’twas so I wouldna be followed and the hidden badge would remain safe.”
    “We must get it back tonight. Before anyone suspects where it might be.”
    “Why? What could possibly be so urgent about a bit of metal and a few feathers that you would risk the ruin of your plan by leaving this room?”
    “Don’t you see? The badge is a signal of some sort to one or more of the spies at Strathnaver.”
    “What need for a signal? If he was the spy you claim, would he nae know those in his own home who share his cause?”
    “He’s been away for at least nine years. Many of our clan have left; many servants have been replaced. Any of a number of folk unknown to him could be fellow traitors.”
    “Brice spoke to no one other than me and the priest since he took to his bed. So how would anyone know this supposed signal had been placed?”
    “You left his side every night for at least two weeks, and you must have been away for short times throughout his illness. If you were nae present, how do you know he spoke to no one?”
    “I . . . I hadn’t thought of that. Why would he need to hide the badge if he knew whom to speak with in the stronghold? And regardless of what Brice did or did nae know, would it nae be better to set a watch on the tree and discover who tries to find the badge?”
    Colin shook his head. “Nae. ’Tis winter, and any watcher would be too exposed and unable to hide all signs of his presence. Why do you think Brice chose a tree in an isolated spot instead of some place in the stronghold?”
    “To be certain no one would observe whoever went to retrieve the badge.”
    “Aye, so we must go together, tonight, when no one will suspect it of us. Then we will plot how best to trap our quarry.”
    “We canna go until after the