The Laird of Stonehaven Read Online Free PDF Page B

lass.”
    She shook her head, sending a cascade of golden curls tumbling into her eyes. “Nay, I canna! Dinna ask it of me.”
    “I will give you time to bid your father a final good-bye before we leave.”
    He withdrew, taking Father Lachlan with him.
    “Dinna let the lass change yer mind, Graeme Campbell,” Lachlan warned once they were alone.
    “I willna,” Graeme replied. “I made a promise to Douglas MacArthur and I intend to keep it.”
    By the time he had dressed and was ready to leave, the afternoon was already waning. Plagued by impatience, he opened the chamber door and stepped inside. Blair was kneeling at her father’s bedside, her head bowed, her lips moving in silent prayer.
    “ ’Tis time to leave, lass,” Graeme said. If she heard, she gave no sign of it.
    Taking a firm grip on her shoulders, Graeme lifted her to her feet and turned her toward the door. “Dress as quickly as you can and meet me in the hall.”
    Blair moved woodenly toward the door, pausing once to glance over her shoulder for a final look at her father. Then Graeme hurried her out and down the gallery to her own chamber.
    “I’ll send Alyce up to help you,” he said in parting.
    Blair sat on the edge of her bed, unable to move or think beyond the fact that her father was dead and she was being forced to leave the only home she had ever known to live with a man she knew only from her dreams and visions. Blair had known from a very young age that she was the Faery Woman from the Prophecy, for even then she’d sensed her powers and spoken with the spirits, but it wasn’t until the past few months that she had sensed any real danger to her.
    No matter what people thought, she wasn’t a witch. Though she admitted to summoning spirits, it was only for good purposes. And there were times she used her powers to heal wounds that could not be healed by other means. How could anyone accuse her of witchcraft when she believed in God’s power and goodness and wanted only to help people?
    “Yer husband is waiting for ye, lass,” Alyce said, bustling into the chamber. “Why are ye nae dressed?”
    “I know Father wanted me to leave before Niall arrives, but is it really necessary, Alyce?”
    “Ye know it is. Up with ye now, yer husband awaits ye. I packed yer belongings while ye were praying over yer father so as not to delay the Campbell when ’twas time for the leave-taking. With any luck, ye’ll reach Stonehaven before Niall realizes ye’re gone.”
    Graeme sent Blair’s trunks ahead on the pony cart and had horses prepared for Blair and Alyce along with his own. By the time the women arrived in the hall, a hasty meal had been set out on tables for them.
    “I’m not hungry,” Blair said, eyeing the food with distaste.
    “None of that, lass,” Graeme said sternly. “You’ll eat even if I have to feed you. We’ll be riding hard and fast, with few stops.”
    “Laird Campbell is right,” Alyce said. “Eat up, lass.”
    Blair ate, but Graeme could tell her heart wasn’t in it. He couldn’t blame her. It couldn’t be easy for her to leave before old Douglas was properly laid to rest. But a promise was a promise, and if Douglas feared for his daughter’s life, then Graeme knew the danger to her was very real.
    Graeme’s men had eaten and left to see to their mounts when Graeme rose and signaled to Blair and Alyce that it was time to depart. Father Lachlan came forth to bid them good-bye.
    “Godspeed,” he said. “Unfortunately, Douglas died before he could make arrangements for Blair’s dowry, so ye must speak to Niall about it when he returns.”
    “Verra well. There is something I would ask of you, Father,” Graeme said.
    “Name it. If ’tis within my power, I will see it done.”
    “Keep me informed of any mischief Niall might plan against Stonehaven.”
    “Aye. Many here remain faithful to the old laird and his daughter. If Niall plans mischief, ye’ll know of it.” He pulled Graeme aside, out of