X Marks the Scot by Victoria Roberts Read Free Book Online Page B

idea. This heat is unbearable,” an older woman standing beside her said with a smile. Her eyes held a certain kindness. She was slim with a regal quality about her.
    “’Tis verra warm.”
    The woman looked at her, surprised. “You are from Scotland?”
    “Aye,” Liadain answered cautiously.
    The woman patted her on the arm. “I don’t mean to be so forward. I just adore the Scottish tongue. My husband was from Scotland.” When Liadain hesitated, the woman spoke lightly. “My apologies. I am Lady Caroline Armstrong. My husband has recently passed and I am feeling a little melancholy. I find myself sorely missing Mangerton, my home.”
    “Please accept my condolences. I am sorry for your loss. My brother has recently passed as well. He was the Earl of Argyll.” As if something clicked in her mind, Liadain’s face lit up. “Armstrong? Are ye by chance a relation to Lady Rosalia Armstrong?”
    A strange look appeared on Lady Armstrong’s face. Her mouth dropped open and a soft gasp escaped her. “Rosalia? She is my daughter. How may I ask are you acquainted with her?”
    Nervously, Liadain shifted her weight. How exactly was she to respond? My brother took her against her will and threw her in our dungeon. She had to think of something quickly. Not adept at spinning lies, she would stick as closely to the truth as possible. “I had known her from her time at Glenorchy.”
    “Glenorchy? Is she still there? I know the last time we spoke she mentioned she was traveling there.”
    “I am nae sure, but I believe so. Your daughter is verra kind, if ye donna mind me saying as such.”
    Lady Armstrong smiled her thanks. “That is so kind of you to say. Her father and I would expect nothing less. Tell me, where exactly is Glenorchy?”
    “’Tis in the Highlands.”
    “Of course it is ,” she said, almost as if she was correcting Liadain’s speech. “Pray excuse me. It was lovely to have met you.”
    That was a little…odd. She thought for sure Lady Armstrong would have wanted to speak of Rosalia. For a moment, Liadain was actually excited that she had something in common with another woman at court. But the woman hastily took her leave.
    “Did ye cool enough or would ye like to take a walk in the garden?” murmured a warm voice from behind her.
    Liadain felt a lurch of excitement within her. Turning, she smiled in earnest. “I would love to take a walk with ye, MacGregor.” As they moved out the door, she welcomed the cooler air that brushed against her skin. “I can feel the difference already.”
    “Aye, it was suffocating in there. Who was the woman ye were speaking with?”
    Stopping suddenly, Liadain turned to face him with a devilish look in her eyes. “Ye will ne’er believe. In truth, I would have ne’er believed it had I nae heard it for myself. ’Tis a verra small world in which we live. Guess…”
    He rolled his eyes, indulging her. “Mmm…Queen Anne.”
    She slapped him playfully in the chest. “Cease. Ye know it wasnae Queen Anne. Do ye yield?”
    He held up his hands in mock surrender. “I yield. Ye clearly have me at a disadvantage, lass.”
    “Lady Caroline Armstrong.”
    MacGregor’s expression turned unreadable and he stood motionless. He hesitated, measuring her for a moment, and then his eyes rounded in surprise. Thinking the man was clearly not listening, Liadain poked him in the chest with her finger.
    “MacGregor, Lady Caroline. Rosalia’s mother,” she said in a tone that indicated the answer was obvious. His expression remained stilled and serious. Something was wrong. Reaching out, she touched his arm. “MacGregor?”
    He peered down at her intently, and when he spoke, his voice cut through the silence, edged with steel. “Healer, ye just became acquainted with the diabhal. ” Devil .

Six
    “Diabhal? Chan eil mi a’ tuigsinn.” I do not understand . Liadain stammered in confusion.
    Declan needed time to think. Rosalia’s mother. Here. At court. Was the fiery