hear it runs in the family, dear uncle.” She took a step closer, her heart hammering. James had taught her how to wield a knife, but his warnings whispered at the back of her mind. If she failed, she may very well meet her end.
“Why did you not kill Harris if you hate us so much?” she asked, sliding even nearer.
Herbert turned and examined his fingernails as if she posed no threat whatsoever. “The boy is young. Edward thinks he can change him—make him a vassal of the English crown. But I reckon he’s wasting his time.”
“Is he in London?”
“Edward?”
“Harris.”
“I think not. The brat will be fostered and not by me.”
“Because you’re a Scot?”
Herbert smirked. “Because I am unwilling.”
“But you have no heir,” she ventured.
By the flash of ire in her uncle’s eyes, she’d hit a nerve. And his silence confirmed it.
Behind her back, she turned the dagger, gripping it like an iron pick, the way James had taught her. “That’s why you need him.”
“I do not need anyone.”
“Please.” Perhaps a little pleading might help. “I only want to know he is safe and being well-cared for.”
“That I can confirm.” He shifted his gaze her way, his grey eyes raking down her body. “Now you must tell me something.”
“Oh?” she asked, watching the pulse at the base of his neck. Just a few inches closer.
“The Lord Warden tells me you’ve persistently insisted you traveled to Carlisle alone.”
She dared to take a step, the knife slipping with perspiration from her fingers. “Is that so difficult to believe?”
“For you?” He snorted. “Not really. You may have inherited your mother’s beauty, but unlike her, you always were too headstrong for your own good.”
He grabbed her chin with one hand, his fingers digging into her face. “The prioress told me you’ve been gone for some time, though she did confirm you took a horse and left alone.” A haughty chuckle rumbled in his chest. “Might I tell you your carelessness has ruined any feeble marriage prospects you may have had, no matter how despicable the swine. Nonetheless, my guess is you are stupid enough to believe you could ride into Carlisle and demand to see the lad.”
“Is he here?”
“Shut it, wench.” He sneered, his teeth yellow and his breath rank. “The lad is no longer your concern. You will never again see the light of day. Mark me, I have seen to it you will suffer a long and terrible death.”
He drew back his hand as if to deliver a slap.
Ailish flinched, but rather than shy away, she lunged in, gnashed her teeth and thrust the knife into the pulsing vein.
As he recoiled, she skirted away. A look of shock and utter disbelief filled the man’s eyes as he grappled for the hilt, his only sound a choking croak.
Ailish cringed, her stomach heaving as he dropped to his knees and fell on his face.
Merciful Father, what have I done?
Her gaze shot to the viewing panel. By the grace of God, no guard attended the door.
Clapping a trembling hand over her mouth, she gaped down. “Herbert?” she whispered.
By the blood spreading across the stone floor, he was well and truly dead. If they found her standing over him, she’d be sent to the gallows before the noon bell tolled.
As fast as she could, Ailish retrieved her dagger and slid it into her hiding place. Then she snatched the dirk from her uncle’s belt, hissing as she made a small cut on her own throat. Blood seeped down her chest while she wrapped the weapon in his fist.
“Guard!” she shrieked, smearing a swath of red across her throat. “He, he, he tried to murder me!”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Receiving a slap across the face, James startled awake. “What the blazes?” he asked, lashing out with backhand of his own.
“Not here,” Davy clipped in a sharp whisper while he rubbed his jaw.
Blinking the fog of sleep out of his eyes, James sprang to his feet and dressed quickly.
“Follow me.”
As James belted on his sword, Davy led him to the rear of the alehouse where they’d spent the first night.
Caelan stepped from the shadows.
“What’s happened?” James asked. “Are the men well?”
“’Tisn’t the men. They’re still hiding. But I followed the Lord of Caerlaverock through the city gates and then, whilst I spent half the day looking for you pair, it seems Lady Ailish slit his throat.”
A rock the size of a cannonball sank to the pit of James’ gut. “My God.”
“Word is the Lord Warden is planning to take her to