Macbeth's Niece Read Online Free PDF

overhung the riverbank,
out of the cold wind coming off the water. The two men did not see
her sitting there wrapped in her gray cloak for warmth as they
walked along the river together, and since the fog muted all sound,
Tessa heard nothing of their approach. She sat wondering if Banaugh
had gotten home safely and if Meg was awake too, perhaps missing
the secrets they’d shared. When one of the men spoke on the other
side of the tree, Tessa came out of her reverie with a start.
    “You’ll sail to England with the tide,
then?”
    “Yes. I’ll meet with Sweno as soon as
possible. We’ll return within the month with the necessary troops
from Norway,” came the answer in a very different accent.
    “I will ready my men and join the fray when
you attack Duncan’s forces.”
    The second voice was recognizable even
though this morning it was lower-pitched and stronger than the
dandified tones of the night before. “You’ll want to wait and see
which way the wind blows, Cawdor, but fight beside us or you’ll
lose the reward you’ve been promised.”
    Cawdor! Tessa’s eyes flew wide as she
comprehended what she was hearing. Her mother’s brother and the
Englishman planned to attack the Scottish king! The night before
Gruoch had mentioned that Tessa’s funny little uncle spoke strongly
against Duncan, but Macbeth had given him no encouragement. Now it
was clear Cawdor had made a bargain to side with a Norwegian
invasion. And the Englishman Brixton was not what he seemed. Of
course, the English were ever deceitful, willing to undermine
Scotland in any way possible, loathsome creatures they were.
    “Dinna worry, Brixton. Keep your part of the
bargain, and I will keep mine. Duncan has gone daft, and the people
won’t stand for the boy Malcolm as king. If Sweno moves quickly, he
can have his way. The thanes will fight half-heart or maybe no’ at
all for the auld man. For certes, Macdonwald and I will be with
you, maybe more by the time you arrive.” As he spoke, Cawdor
stepped down the riverbank to pick up a stick, which he tossed idly
into the current and watched float away. Turning back, he faced
Tessa, who stared into his eyes in horror. The niece he had met
only last evening at dinner had, from the look on her face,
overheard his plan to turn traitor to his king! “Tessa!” His tone
held both surprise and threat.
    Cawdor made a lunge as, throwing herself
sideways out of his reach, Tessa scrambled to her feet to make a
getaway. Hearing Biote curse as he fell over a tree root, she dared
not look back. She focused on getting to the castle, getting help,
but before she knew it, strong arms caught her, lifting her off the
ground. A hand covered her mouth as she opened it to scream, and a
voice in her ear hissed, “Make one noise and I’ll break that pretty
neck of yours!” Unable to free herself, Tessa hung, struggling
uselessly, at the Englishman’s side.
    “Well, now, Cawdor, what do we do with
this?” amazingly, Brixton’s voice sounded amused again.
    Cawdor had risen to his feet and was
brushing off his clothing. “Damned if I know,” was his first
response.
    There was a smudge of damp earth on his
knee, Tessa noticed inconsequentially. She stopped fighting to
better hear their discussion of her fate.
    “Is she someone who would be missed?”
Brixton asked, and Tessa thought, I’m going to die. He’s going to
kill me and throw my body into the river.
    Cawdor looked distraught. “God’s blood,
Brixton! She’s my sister’s child.”
    Brixton understood the plea. “Well, then,”
was all he said. They planned treachery against the king, but
neither seemed willing to murder an innocent girl. Maybe they would
try to bribe her. Tessa would lie, promise secrecy, and then run to
Macbeth and have both of them hanged for treason. Could an
Englishman commit treason in Scotland? It did not matter as long as
this wicked man died. Surely Macbeth could find a reason to execute
him.
    “We can’t let her go,”