Chapter Ten
Exhausted and in need of privacy, Miran thanked Bodmond for seeing her safely back to camp and went to her tent. Happy to find it empty, she sought her bed and stretched out, Kai very much on her mind. Though she tried to fall asleep, her imagination got the best of her, and she tossed and turned, remembering every detail of their kisses.
“Ye are like the hardest of riddles, Captain Kai—a blight on my mind and heart,” she said aloud, sitting up.
“Where in the Almighty’s name have ye been?”
At the sound of Cadha’s shrill voice, she looked to the opening of the tent. The question surprised her, for a maid should not make demands of her mistress. But Miran had excused Cadha’s unorthodox behavior before, though she dinna like the scowl on her face.
“The captain gave me little choice but to spend the night at Colin’s cousin’s farm.”
The maid stalked into the tent, more like an offended mother than a servant. “Ye couldna have found a way to inform me? Better yet, to demand I go?”
Miran pressed her lips together, praying for patience. She dinna have to answer to anyone about where’d she been. As always, she had the good sense to look after herself. “Captain Kai dinna give me a chance to refuse.”
“Then I will speak with him directly, mistress.”
“Unnecessary,” she said forcefully, hoping to make her point. “Fetch me fresh water, linens, and soap.”
When Cadha dinna move, Miran stood. Under normal circumstances, the woman would have been immediately dismissed. But Helen had assigned her to Miran, hoping to provide her with companionship and obviously to protect her.
“I gave ye an order, Cadha.” She walked to within a foot of the taller and heavier woman. Their gazes locked, and Miran detected a hint of defiance in her eyes. Maybe even reproach.
“I will tend to yer bath shortly, milady.”
“Ye will do it now.”
Just then, two of the maids stuck their heads inside the tent. “Milady, ye are back,” one said.
“Get out,” Miran commanded.
They both disappeared immediately. “Do ye see?” Miran said to Cadha. “That is the way a maid should respond to her mistress. Not take a combative stance as ye have.”
Cadha’s face reddened. “I am no’ a young lass. And though ye are set above me in rank, Lady Helen dinna choose me because I would shrink away from my duties if ye yelled at me. Ye are known to give in to fits of bad temperament if ye doona get yer way.”
Fury was boiling inside Miran as she stood, taking in everything Cadha said. How dare she speak to her so disrespectfully. “Ye will leave this tent and this camp immediately.”
Cadha cursed, and much to Miran’s shock, slapped her cheek.
The sting stunned her momentarily as she cupped her face and then stared at the maid with all the hatred she felt. “How dare ye!” She edged closer to Cadha, ready to—
The maid produced a switch from somewhere in her cloak. “Ye are a spoiled, lass. Willful and ungrateful. Someone must teach ye a lesson, and if yer own family willna, I will save yer young soul and do it myself!” She whipped Miran’s left arm, forcing her back several feet.
She brought the switch down over and over again, and all Miran could do was protect her face.
“Did ye give up yer innocence to the captain? Let him defile ye?”
Finally, Miran found an opening and backhanded the maid so hard it hurt her own hand. “If ye ever touch me again…” Fury blurred her eyes, so did tears.
Cadha dropped the switch, discoloration rising on her pale skin, along her jawline.
“Get out!” Miran growled.
The maid dinna move from her spot, still rubbing her jaw. “Let me make something clear, mistress. If ye speak of this to anyone or try to dismiss me from yer service, I will tell Laird Jamie and Lady Helen ye attacked me when I tried to speak reason to ye about bedding that heathen captain. And believe me, no one will be able to deny the way ye both carry on—shameless, wanton girl!”
Miran frantically tried to come up with a reply, an admonishment that would give her an advantage over Cadha. But at the moment, her arms and back hurt too much and she needed sleep. “Get out. And if ye show yer face in this tent tonight, I will kill ye.” She reached for the switch on the ground and snapped it in half, tossing it at Cadha’s feet.
The maid fled her presence, leaving Miran feeling drained of all energy and hopelessly confused.
*
It had been a productive day. Not only had Craig Kinnear’s father been open to the idea of his son serving in Jamie’s ranks, the idea of moving up the wedding date pleased him to no end. Kai and his men rode back to camp with their spirits high and appetites that would rival a bear’s.
But when Kai arrived in camp, something was very wrong. Miran’s maids were standing guard outside her tent along with several of his men.
“What happened here?” he hissed.
“Sir,” Dedra risked speaking first. “I canna wake Lady Miran, and Cadha has gone missing.”
“Step aside,” he ordered, nearly running the women over as he pushed through the canvas flap and found Miran asleep on her bed.
She was cocooned in furs, so he rolled her onto her back and gazed upon her pretty face with deep concern. He checked for fever, pressing the back of his hand against her forehead and cheek. She felt normal.
“Is she…”
Kai looked over his shoulder at the four maids who stood behind him, each looking worried.
“No fever. She is merely in deep sleep, I think.” He gave her a gentle shake. “Miran.”
Her eyes fluttered open, and she appeared as if she did not know where she was.
“C-captain?” she whispered. “I thirst.”
Kai snapped his fingers, and a cup of water was shoved into his hand. He held it to her lips. “Slow.”
Miran took a steady sip. “Thank ye.”
“Are you ill?” he asked.
“Nay.”
He didn’t believe her entirely, for she was much too pale and her eyes were red. “Where is Cadha?”
Miran scooted out of his grasp, able to sit up on her own. “I doona know.”
“She has gone missing. And these women were unable to wake you.” He wrapped a supportive arm around her shoulders, and she winced, sliding out of reach.
“I-I am tired, Kai,” she said.
Nay. He knew her demeanor, had never seen her so sallow-faced and weak. But he would not press her for answers in front of her maids. As for Cadha, he would have a team search for her extensively. The maid must be connected to Miran’s condition…for he did not like that woman.
“Dedra,” Kai said as he stood.
“Sir?” She curtsied.
“Watch over yer mistress. Ye are now the head maid. Understood?”
“Yes, Captain.”
“And you three.” He eyed each servant. “Do not leave this tent unless I give you permission. Take turns sleeping. Two of you must remain awake at all times. I will post men outside the tent, along all four sides to protect you.”
“Do ye think someone kidnapped, Cadha?” Dedra risked asking.
He considered it. “Tis possible. But until we know for sure, better to take heed.”
He stormed out of the shelter, darkness descending inside him. Kai possessed strong instincts that had kept him alive through the bloodiest battles.
“Captain Kai?” Colin asked. “Is Lady Miran safe?”
“She is well enough,” he hissed. “What fool was left in charge of this camp while we were gone?”
“Kenneth.”
“Bring the man to my tent, Colin. And post four men around the lady’s tent. No one is to go in or come out without my approval.”
“Yes, sir.”
Kai did a cursory check around the encampment, questioning all of the guards. None had seen or heard anything from Cadha, which only served to deepen Kai’s suspicion of the older woman. People didn’t just disappear. There were no signs of an attack. Nothing was missing. The horses were all accounted for.
First, however, he’d deal with Kenneth.