Malcolm'S Honor (Historical, 519) by Jillian Hart Read Free Book Online Page B

life.”
    For a brief instant she saw behind the heartless eyes, to the ghost of the man he must have once been before he turned killer and traded his soul for the coin it would bring.
    â€™Twas almost a shame she’d have to poison him. Butdeath or marriage to Caradoc? She would not go quietly toward either darkness.
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    â€œThe crone is serving Giles and the prisoners in the stable. The innkeeper’s wife could not do it.” Lulach settled on the bench and quickly drained the tankard of ale. “I must hurry, ere the old woman begins a plot to free the traitors.”
    â€œRest and eat, the crone will cause no trouble.” Malcolm took his eating knife from his belt. “’Tis the younger one we must watch.”
    â€œShe is a witch, that one. Able to defeat us with her spells and powers.”
    â€œNay, she’s no sorceress. Look how she works.” He gestured to the young woman emerging from the kitchen, steaming trenchers in hand, her fine wool mantle shivering around her slim thighs with every step she took.
    Lulach growled, still disbelieving. “Beware she does not cast a spell over our meal and sicken us.”
    â€œI’ve seen sorcery, and ’tis not what the traitor woman practices with her simple herbs.” Any memories of the Outremer filled Malcolm with blackness and horror. He forced those images to the back of his mind. “But still, I trust her not.”
    â€œâ€™Tis wise.” Lulach carefully studied the food Elin had helped prepare after tending Hugh.
    â€œMore mead?” The dove’s voice sang as pleasantly as a morning breeze. With a smile, she handed Malcolm a second tankard.
    The back of his neck crawled. Aye, he could sense she was up to no good. When they departed after the meal, he would tie her again to the saddle. While he could not bear to leave Hugh, his king expected the traitor without delay.They would have to leave the injured man behind. The life of a knight was not fair.
    â€œElin?” He caught the female by the elbow, and she turned to him with concern in her eyes.
    â€œWhat is it, le Farouche? Is it the food—”
    â€œNay. I am considering asking Alma to stay with…” His stomach twisted, and he placed a hand there.
    An agonized groan sounded in the room behind him, rumbling like a thunderclap. Another groan was followed by an unpleasant sound.
    â€œShe’s poisoned us!” Giles accused, arriving breathless in the doorway. Sunlight shifted around his form and betrayed how he trembled. “Men are dropping like flies in the stable. Even the prisoners. Look, I begin to sweat.”
    Discord rose as rough shouts and threats resonated in the smoke-ridden air. As if she was guilty, Elin’s eyes widened and she spun away. Malcolm reached out and snared her by the sleeve, but only briefly.
    â€œSilence,” he roared, temper raging with the force of a storm at sea. His stomach squeezed again, and he fell to his knees. “Lady Elinore, what have you done?”
    â€œWhat I had to do.” She laid a hand on his forehead, a touch of compassion. Her caress soothed like water against the shore.
    â€œKill the king’s men, and you’ll pay with more than just your life.” He tried to climb to his knees, but his senses spun. His vision blurred. He remained crouched like a dog upon the earthen floor.
    â€œThe poison is not a lethal dose. I was careful. Do not fret, Sir Malcolm. You’ll live.”
    A sick taste filled his mouth. Strength seeped from his limbs until he could only lie motionless in the dirt. “Then when this poison loosens its hold on me, believe this. I will hunt you down. You cannot hide from me.”
    â€œI can try.” She knelt over him and took the dagger from his belt. He saw her soft leather boots, small and finely tailored, as she stepped over him.
    â€œElin!” he shouted. “Do not do this! I beg of you.”
    But the tap of