From the depths of his being, he sang.
“Of all the comrades that e’er I had,
They’re sorry for me goin’ away.
And all the sweethearts that e’er I had,
They’d wish me one more day to stay.
But since it falls unto me lot,
That I should rise and ye should nae,
I gently rise and softly call,
Good night, and joy be to ye all.”
Tears flowed down Jude’s cheeks and he brushed them quickly away. He lifted his head to find Cleo and Hugh standing beside him as Felix and Ronan waited on the other side of the pile.
“Goodbye, dearest friend,” Jude said before clearing his throat. Straightening his shoulders, he looked to those around him. “We must go, now. We’re nae safe should night come on us.”
Felix and Ronan nodded as Cleo and Hugh followed close behind them. Jude stole one last moment at the grave to mourn before rushing to Hugh’s side.
“Nay time to dawdle,” Jude said as he hoisted Hugh up to his shoulder. “Cleo, I ken yer leg stings, but ye must hurry.”
“I understand,” Cleo said grinding her teeth to hold back the pain in her leg. “I will be on your heels.”
They raced across the open field keeping a keen eye on the trees as they passed them.
Must make it to the castle. Canae stop for anythin’. If there’s a murder stalkin’ me son, me hope is the safety behind the walls of me home. But what if the fiend tries again?
9
Cleo watched as Jude’s guard rushed to his aide.
A large man with gray hair pushed through the crowd and stopped at Jude’s side.
“Oh, how I prayed for this day,” the man said kissing Jude on the cheek before doing the same to Hugh. “Where is Adam? Where is me son?” Jude glanced over his shoulder to steal a glimpse at the barren horse that Adam would have been riding.
Jude exhaled as he clasped his hand over the man’s shoulder. “Ian, I am sorry. Adam fell. It was most unfortunate, but rest yerself knowin’ he fell as a hero savin’ me son.”
Ian stepped back in shock. He shook his head as he scanned the faces around him. Ian’s eyes fell on Cleopatra and she could see the anger raging within him.
“Ian,” Jude said stepping to him. “This is Lady Cleopatra, the Earl’s daughter. Treat her kindly.”
Ian shook with rage as he lifted a trembling finger to her.
“This was yer fault,” Ian hissed as he charged Cleopatra. “Me son would be alive if the Earl had nae taken the boy.”
“Nay,” Jude said stepped in front of Ian. “Cleo had nothin’ to do with Adam’s death.”
“I daenae believe it,” Ian growled as Jude stood between him and Cleopatra.
“It’s true,” Felix interjected as he placed his hand on Ian’s shoulder. “I was there when it happened. The girl was with Jude while we went huntin’. A stranger took Adam’s life as he was protectin’ the boy.”
“Hugh,” Jude glanced to his son and nudged his head to the doors. “Get to yer room and stay there.”
Hugh nodded as the crowd parted for the boy. Cleopatra watched Ian as his eyes followed Hugh until he was no longer in sight. Swiftly, the old man turned and glared at Cleopatra. She dropped her eyes as she felt the daggers coming from the old man’s gaze.
“Mr. MacIntyre,” Ronan stepped forward to stand beside Cleopatra. “I understand yer pain. Adam was a loyal man and did his duty for our lands and Laird. Ye cannae smudge his name when he showed courage in the field.”
Ian stepped back from Jude. Cleopatra watched as the man crumbled from the loss of his son. She could only imagine the torture he was going through. Although she wanted to comfort Ian, she held herself back.
“I am so sorry for your loss,” Cleopatra said. Ian refused to look at her and she knew immediately that she would forever be the cause for Adam’s death in his eyes.
“Paige,” Jude shouted. A thin girl with strawberry hair and freckles rushed to Jude’s side. She bowed quickly before rising. “See Cleo to the room and call for the healer. Her leg needs attention.”
“Aye, m’Laird,” Paige said as she stretched her arm out to Cleopatra. Hesitating, Cleopatra took the servant’s hand.
“It’ll be all right,” Jude said. “Go with Paige.”
“Ye’re nae considerin’ lettin’ that girl roam the castle unattended?” Ian snapped as he glared at Cleopatra.
“She is a guest, Ian,” Jude said as Paige curled her fingers around Cleopatra’s shoulders and guided her to the Castle.
Cleopatra’s eyes widened as she looked about the stone walls. Tapestries and candles lit up the space making it far more welcoming that Cleopatra expected.
“Daenae mind Sir MacIntyre,” Paige whispered as she pulled Cleopatra to the staircase. “He will come around eventually.”
“What if he’s right though?” Cleopatra asked. “After all, if my faither didn’t have Hugh, then Adam would be alive.”
“Perhaps,” Paige said. “But that should nae concern ye now.”
Cleopatra limped up the stairs behind Paige. With each passing minute the burning in her leg was growing more intense.
“Here we are, Miss,” Paige said, stopping at the heavy door in the center of the hallway. Cleopatra walked to the door and pushed it open. Her eyes widened as she stepped into the large room.
On the far side of the room, she noticed a fireplace. It was far bigger than the little wooden stove she had in her old room. Her eyes drifted to the bed that was placed on the left side of the door with heavy curtains draped down the canopy. Cleopatra gasped to find elegant chairs and bookcases on either side of the fireplace.
“Is this my room?” Cleopatra asked. She couldn’t believe that such a room existed. Everything was far prettier and open than what she had been given before. Paige’s giggle caught
