Page 25

T he entire village was still abed after having such a late night.

The sounds of morning we're starting to be heard all around as dawn approached.

The birds were chirping as they woke up and the livestock were starting to stir and make their calls to each other.

One would think that there was nothing serious going on if you only paid attention to the natural environment.

Things were tense inside the tavern. Courteney paced back and forth in the room, which was empty except for her and Brian who sat in the corner by a window being guarded by Rory and two other watchmen.

As soon as Crystal entered, Courteney approached her with distress, and began to ramble.

"Miss, I tried to stop him, I did. He went blind with rage.

Went straight for Cameron. I cannot blame him, I had a mind to want to do the same, but I know it is best to let the Laird handle it.

Brian is not of his right mind, though, I fear. "

Crystal put her arm around Courteney and led her to a table and sat down with her. "I would feel the same if it were my sister, but you are right. The authorities need to handle it now that he's been caught."

Jamie and Shaw joined Crystal and Courteney at their table.

"Tell us what happened, Miss Courteney?" Jamie asked.

"I was asleep when the news came of Cameron being caught and him being suspected of being Maeve's killer.

Brian had stayed up drinking and was already deep in his cups.

He has spent most nights in such a state since my sister's death.

When Liam brought the news, Brian was beside himself with anger.

He grabbed his sword, stormed outside and mounted his horse, taking off.

I followed him as quickly as I could, but I had to saddle my horse. "

"Go on," Jamie encouraged.

"I yelled after him, and tried to talk him out of taking his revenge, but he would not listen to reason."

"No, indeed it is hard for anyone to stop a man acting in a blind rage," Jamie said.

"When I got there, Brian was already being held back by the Watch as he shouted at Cameron, trying to have a go at him. Of course Cameron shouted back, antagonizing him," she said.

"What was it he said to antagonize him?" Crystal asked.

"Merely taunts about Maeve and her choice of a husband."

Crystal looked at Brian who stared out the window quietly simmering.

"What connection did Cameron have to your sister?" Jamie asked.

"I thought none, but I do see it now. He was always pestering my sister before she was married and then bullying her after she was married for not choosing him.

Though Maeve never would have considered Cameron, nor did she ever give Cameron reason to think she would wed him.

But he pestered her for years, why murder her now? "

"It might be that we may never know unless Cameron confesses and even then we will not know if his motive is truthful.

It could have been that he was simply drunk and wandered over to your sister's home while her husband was away and things got out of hand when your sister pushed him away.

Tis possible her rejection has been festering in him and he allowed his anger to take him over," Jamie said.

"Aye, I suppose that tis possible. He is aggressive with all the women in the village. We all move in the other direction when he comes into town," she said.

Crystal knew from her own experience that was the truth.

She didn't even want to look Cameron in the eyes when he was chained in the prison wagon.

He was a brutal man and it seemed obvious that he was their killer.

She had a feeling that every woman he came across could sense how evil he was.

It was like prey sensing a predator and running away.

"Yes, a bad man if ever there was one," Jamie said. "I shall need to question Brian."

"I understand, though I do not know if he will talk to you. He hardly speaks a word to me. His mind is shattered like a broken glass," Courteney said.

Wallace approached the table and put two hot cups of tea in front of the women. Crystal thanked him. He nodded and walked away. She wondered if he ever got rest considering that the tavern was something of a public square for everyone.

She watched as Jamie and Shaw approached Brian.

"Miss, I nearly forgot. I heard what happened to you. That Cameron came for you. I am so sorry. That must have been a fright."

"It was." Crystal smiled grateful for her concern. "Though you shouldn't apologize for him. His actions had nothing to do with you."

"Aye, but I worry… Do you… that is do you think he meant to come for me? He came for my sister and t'was my cottage… Or do you think he knew you were there?" Courteney asked.

"That's a good question. I don't know for certain. He did hit the guard that was posted to watch over me, so he may have known it was me staying in your cottage," Crystal replied.

"Aye, I am relieved. Oh! I did not mean—" Courteney stopped, looking flustered. "I am sorry. I am not glad that it t'was you he came after, but that I do not have to fear that he also wanted to kill me," Courteney explained.

Crystal smiled and patted her hand. "I understand."

"You are a pretty woman and new to the village. I can see Cameron thinking he could force himself on you and get away with it."

"I suppose he did," Crystal said. The thought sent chills down her spine and she remembered how Cameron had grabbed her in the tavern her first day here.

Then she remembered Mason and how he had drugged her to do who knew what with her.

Would she always be looking over her shoulder for men who wanted to do her bodily harm?

"Brian hasn't uttered a word," Rory said loud enough for Crystal to overhear.

She turned to look at Brian again and saw Jamie acknowledge that and then take the seat next to Brian.

"Brian, I do not blame you for wanting revenge for Maeve's death.

I think a lot of us would as well if we were in your place.

He is in custody now and you must allow his punishment to come from the Laird.

You must have known you would be stopped.

Do you want to tell me why you went after Cameron even knowing the guard would stop you? "

Brian shifted in his chair but did not say a word. He continued to stare out the window.

"What did you hope to accomplish? Wouldn't it be better to see Cameron rot in prison for the rest of his days rather than a quick death offered by your sword?"

Finally Brian turned to look at Jamie as though he'd just heard him, but he remained quiet. Crystal could tell that Jamie was relieved to have this bit of movement from him at least.

"Aye, seems a much better fate for the likes of him, do you not agree?" Jamie said.

Brian was now obviously paying full attention.

"Brian? Do you agree?" Jamie asked.

Brian was quiet for a moment and then finally said, "Aye, I agree."

"Then will you leave it to the Laird to judge the man for his crimes and not try to take the law into your own hands again?"

"Aye, the Laird will punish him justly. Let him rot in the dungeons with no light and not another woman to touch ever again for the rest of his life," Brian said, but his voice sounded dead without any emotion to it.

"Good, then with your promise, I can have Rory escort you back home, but there will be a guard posted outside of your place. Do you understand?" Jamie said.

"Aye, tis fair," Brian said.

"Good, then go home and get some sleep," Jamie said.

Brian stood up. Courteney gave Crystal a hug and said, "Thank you, Miss. I will visit you soon at my cottage when all this is done."

"I look forward to it, though I may be at the castle by then," Crystal said, fully aware that she would go when Jamie said it was time.

"Of course, I understand," Courteney said. She moved from the table to follow Rory and the others as they led Brian out of the tavern.

"Could we get some food and more tea here, Wallace?" Jamie called as he joined Crystal at her table.

"Aye, comin' right up. Just made a fresh batch of meat pies."

"Are you alright, lass?" Jamie asked.

"I am. I'm glad this is all over, if I'm honest," she said.

"Aye, as am I. Cameron has the strength to have done what was done to poor Maeve. He is a man of violence, always has been. Though this is the first I have seen him so brutal toward a woman. Usually tis against another man."

"Yes, as I now know firsthand. I think he could be capable of killing a woman for refusing him. Unfortunately it is not that unusual for a man to murder a woman for her refusal of him, even in my time," she said.

"Here ye are." Wallace put a platter of small meat pies in front of them and a pot of tea. Jamie handed Wallace some coin, and Wallace walked away jingling it in his hand.

Crystal bit into the meat pie, savoring every bite.

She ate several of the delicious delicacies and had two cups of tea.

By the time they were done eating she wanted to crawl back into bed, not having had much rest that night.

However she didn't want to be in bed alone and wondered if it would be a mistake to have this attractive Scotsman warm her bed.