The Laird of Stonehaven by Connie Mason Page A

shutters so he could fall asleep.
    Blair had caught his attention immediately as she entered the stillroom. His first instinct had been to follow and see what she was up to. Then something strange happened. The moon seemed to grow brighter, momentarily blinding Graeme.
    He was so stunned, time seemed to stand still. What was happening inside the stillroom? Was Blair practicing black magic? Was she conjuring evil spirits? Communicating with the devil? He shook his head in dismay. Nothing so dramatic, he’d wager. But he fully intended to find out what she was up to.
    Before he could will his body to move, he spied Blair leaving the stillroom. He watched her return to the keep, then left his chamber.
    Blair’s mind was in total confusion as she made her way back to her bedchamber. The message she had received was neither comforting nor comprehensible. As she set the candle down on the nightstand, she felt prickles along her spine. She sensed that she wasn’t alone. She froze and peered into the shadows beyond the ring of candlelight.
    “Who’s there?”
    A figure emerged. A tall man blessed with broad shoulders, slim waist and massive chest. He wore a plaid held in place by a wide belt and naught else. Blair backed away from the menace inherent in his stance.
    “What are you doing here?”
    “ ’Tis my home. I go where I please.”
    “Go away.”
    “What were you doing in the stillroom? What kind of spell were you casting?”
    “I dinna cast spells. I commune with the spirits of nature.”
    His brows lifted. “In the middle of the night?”
    “The time doesna matter. I answer their call when they summon me.”
    “Stop it, Blair! Stop it right now! There are no spirits. There is only God, and He doesna speak to mere mortals. You are not making my vow to protect you easy. What if someone had seen you going to the stillroom at this hour? What if someone had misinterpreted your purpose and accused you of witchcraft? Must I lock you inside your chamber at night?”
    Blair needed to make Graeme understand that danger stalked him as well as her. She had to find a way to reach him. “Listen to me, Graeme. There is something you should know.”
    He sent her a skeptical look. “Go on.”
    “Niall and Donal MacKay are planning mischief.”
    “What kind of mischief?” he asked. “Should I be afraid?”
    “Aye, verra afraid. Alert your kinsmen and take precautions to protect yourself and your property.”
    Impatiently Graeme lanced his fingers through his disheveled hair. “How do you know this?”
    “I . . . just know.”
    “Give me proof.”
    She shook her head. “I canna. You have to trust me.”
    “Your information isna substantial enough to act upon. I refuse to frighten my kinsmen for something you perceive but canna prove.”
    “The spirits—”
    “What spirits?” Graeme challenged. “Evil spirits?”
    “Nay! Dinna make me out to be something other than what I am. The spirits warned me of impending danger. Sometimes they come to me in dreams and visions.”
    Amusement colored his words. “What did they tell you tonight? Did those spiritual beings chide you for avoiding my bed?”
    He was closer to the truth than Blair cared to admit. “I have told you what they said, but you dinna believe me. My brother isna a good man, and Donal MacKay is even worse. Together they present a real threat to us.”
    “We are wed, Blair. Niall can do naught to harm either of us. You are safe here at Stonehaven.”
    “What can I say to convince you to heed my warning? The danger to us is verra real. I know not how or when or what form it will take, but it will come.”
    Graeme paced forward until they were standing nose to nose. “I refuse to be frightened by vague threats. Your imagination is truly amazing, lass.” His fingers curled around her shoulders. “I promised your father I would take care of you, and that includes protecting you from your own follies. Forget this nonsense about spirits and voices and