The Bard (Highland Heroes #5) - Maeve Greyson Page 0,76
and motioned toward the sitting room door. “Magnus, please bar the door so none can enter.” He nodded toward the far end of the room. “And I prefer we speak over there. Away from the door. And with lowered voices, mind ye. So, none may hear our words.” He ripped aside the tapestry covering the secret passage that Mrs. Breckenridge and the maid had used earlier. Running his hand across the wall, he searched for any peepholes or cracks that would enable someone to spy upon them. Once satisfied that the room was secure, he let the wall hanging fall back in place and joined the others.
“Garthin Napier is as alive and well as any of us,” Sutherland said in such a hushed tone that the men all stepped closer. “He isna happy with his current situation, but I can tell ye with certainty that he isna the man responsible for any of the accidents. Not mine nor Sorcha’s.”
“Innocent?” Greyloch said. “Are ye certain?”
“Aye.” Sutherland poured himself a drink, then passed the bottle to Magnus. “The rat bastard is a thief, a coward, and an idiot, but he isna the man bent on killing Sorcha or myself.”
“Then why did the guard report him dead?” Graham asked.
“Because that is what I wanted the guard to think.” Sutherland took a slow sip to give his words time to sink in.
Alexander grinned. “I’m proud of ye, Sutherland. I never thought ye had it in ye to plan such a trap. Tell us the details, so we might help.”
“I want our true criminal to believe that we are all at ease now since I executed Garthin and ordered his body left to rot on that wall in the pit.” Sutherland nodded first at Alexander and then at Graham. “The two of ye, along with yer lovely wives, will go on with yer plan to return to Tor Ruadh. Today, in fact, if ye think that possible. I want all to know ye feel more than comfortable leaving because ye saw with yer own eyes that Sorcha wasna badly hurt after all. Everyone needs to believe that she and I will follow in the wagon tomorrow—or maybe even the next day. It depends. I havena decided on the definite time frame yet. Garthin is alive, but he willna stay that way if I leave him down there verra long without food or water.”
“I can order one of the maids to care for him without anyone being the wiser,” Greyloch volunteered.
“No.” Sutherland pointed at the chief to drive his words home. “No one outside of these two rooms is to be trusted. No guards. No maids. No servants. If word gets out, all our work will be for naught. Understand?”
“I understand,” Greyloch said. “No one outside of these rooms.”
Sutherland could tell by the chief’s tone that he didn’t like the loyalty of his people questioned, but it couldn’t be helped. “We dinna have any idea who is responsible. No one can be trusted until our trap is sprung, and we have our scoundrel.”
“And the rest of yer plan?” Alexander encouraged.
“Watch the wagon. Catch the bastard in the act of tampering with it.” Sutherland emptied his glass, poured himself another, then held it high in a toast. “Then snap the son of a whore’s neck with my bare hands. Simple, aye?”
“The wagon we loaded for today is already back in the stable since we had no idea how long we might be delayed. What if that wagon has already been tampered with? It would seem strange for us to prepare another one as bait.” Magnus made his way over to the window, frowning as he took in the view down below. “The loaded wagon needs to be checked and taken when Alexander and Graham leave. Lady Mercy and Catriona could drive it with their mounts tied behind.”
“But why would they suddenly wish to drive the wagon rather than ride their own mounts as they did the first time they left?” Greyloch shook his head. “As crafty as this arse worm appears to be, he would see it as contrived and steer clear of any further attempts for a while. We wouldna catch him.”
“Lady Mercy could feign sickness, say she’s feeling poorly after today’s traumatic events.” Sutherland arched a brow at Graham. “What say ye?”
Graham nodded. “Aye, that would work. Those who dinna know her well enough think her weak because of her blindness. They have no idea that my dear sweet love is as fierce as any