The Bard (Highland Heroes #5) - Maeve Greyson Page 0,66

worried look. “But his da,” she whispered. “And what about Mistress Jenny?”

“It’s the only way to get this sorted.” Mrs. Breckenridge nodded again. “Say it, girl.”

“It was Master Heckie I saw,” she said so softly that Sutherland took a step forward and leaned closer.

“Come again, lass?”

“Master Heckie,” she whispered as she stared at the floor. “War Chief MacIlroy’s son.”

He turned to Chieftain Greyloch. “Have ye spoken to him yet?” Heckie was supposed to be one of Sorcha’s closest friends, and Jenny watched over the man like a mother hen. Why in heaven’s name would the lad attempt to kill them both?

“I’m having him fetched now,” Greyloch assured.

“Get her out of here,” Sutherland ordered. If Heckie was the one who had set the fires, it was in the maid’s best interest to remain unknown. She was young, new, and wasn’t as known by everyone as the rest of the servants. It wouldn’t take much effort to make her disappear without a trace.

Greyloch pointed at an expanse of wall covered by tapestries. “Take her out the shaft, Mrs. Breckenridge. He’s probably headed this way, and we dinna wish ye to meet him—just in case he has no explanation for his whereabouts.”

“Aye, my chieftain.” Mrs. Breckenridge herded the girl forward, pulled aside one of the weaves hanging on the wall, and pushed on a narrow stone block close to the floor. A section of the wall swung inward, revealing a passage. “Grab a candle, girl,” she said, pointing at a table beside the hidden doorway.

The maidservant took hold of the entire lit candelabra and led the way. Once they had both disappeared inside, the wall returned to a solid expanse, and the tapestry fell back in place.

As soon as they had disappeared, Sutherland turned back to the chief. “Would he do such a thing? I thought he was supposed to be like a brother to her? The man seems so…simple.”

Chief Greyloch pondered his answer entirely too long for Sutherland’s liking. “I canna imagine the boy doing such a thing. Especially not to Sorcha and Jenny. But…”

“But what?” Sutherland prodded, noting with some satisfaction that Alexander, Magnus, and Graham had stepped forward for an answer, too.

“Heckie has always been a strange lad. Not exactly a dullard, but none too right in the head either.” The chief stroked his beard as he scowled down at the floor. “He doesna think like the rest of us do.” He blew out a heavy sigh. “If he did set the fires and smoke out the room, it could’ve been because of some wild reasoning only known to him.”

“The man almost killed yer daughter, and yet ye defend him?” Sutherland couldn’t believe his ears.

“We dinna know for certain of his guilt yet,” Alexander said. “Let’s see what the man has to say, aye?”

A hard pounding on the outer door announced the guards and Heckie’s arrival. Sutherland strode across the room and yanked it open, calling on every ounce of control he had ever possessed to not grab Heckie by the throat and throttle him. “Take him over there,” he ordered, pointing at his kin and the chieftain.

The two guards, with Heckie between them, half-dragged, half-led the frightened young man to a spot in front of the chieftain.

“Why did they bring me here?” Heckie shied to one side as though expecting a beating. “I didna do anything wrong. I swear it.”

“Do ye know anything about Lady Sorcha and Jenny’s accident?” Alexander asked.

Heckie shook his head, running the tail of his belt back and forth between his hands. “I was down there earlier, but I didna see nothin’ wrong. The door to the chief’s stores was shut but didna think nothing of it. Everybody knows Mrs. Breckenridge be the only one with the key and ’tis her who sees to the comings and goings of what’s inside.” He smiled and stood taller. “Sometimes, she lets me help her carry things.”

“What bundles did ye carry down there? Why were ye cloaked with yer hood up when the kitchens are hotter than hell’s sitting room?” Sutherland stormed forward, itching to grab the man’s scrawny throat. “Ye best speak the truth, or I’ll kill ye where ye stand.”

“Cook wanted some fresh cut sticks for smoking more fish. Green ones work the best. She ran out whilst cooking up food for the banquet. She wanted to make sure she had plenty for extra fish. They’re Sorcie’s favorite.” He didn’t back up, just looked at them all as if he didn’t understand why they were so