Free Seducing the Laird by Lauren Marrero Page A

last treasures, but every few years a bit of silver appeared to save the people from disaster. It didn’t take a genius to realize some of the Roman treasure must still remain hidden.
    She didn’t know why Cairn was not told its location. Perhaps his father didn’t have a chance to tell him before he died. That was perfect for Lord Gundy. Without that money the McPhersons were easy prey to his plans.
    Several villagers appeared to watch their procession through the muddy streets. Fergus and a few soldiers nodded in greeting, but the division between the Scots and Cairn’s French soldiers was glaringly obvious. They were shy around their new lord and unsure how to greet him. The conspicuous absence of his original party spoke volumes about the success of Cairn’s mission in England.
    She straightened in the saddle feeling the curious eyes of the villagers fall on her. Before their frank regard Verena felt like a curiosity on display. She would have to be on her best behavior to win their trust.
    In order for her plan to succeed she had to carefully question some of the villagers on the whereabouts of the treasure. Though uncomfortable being ogled by so many people, Verena forced herself to think positively. At least the castle folk would have heard of their arrival by now. If she was lucky perhaps an enterprising soul was already heating water for a bath.
    They soon left the village and began a steep climb up the side of a mountain toward a large castle. It was bigger than Langthorne, but not as ostentatious, built much earlier when castles were prized more for function than beauty. The stones were darkened with age, but stood proudly against the barren landscape as if daring the world to try and move them. Behind the castle was the so-called magical forest where his grandfather, the Old Lord, was buried. She couldn’t wait to explore it.
    "This is it," said Cairn. There was a peculiar tightness in his voice. After his trials in Langthorne Verena thought he would be excited to come home, but Cairn’s home was among the sun-kissed forests of Southern France with his brother Andreu. This place meant only responsibility.
    "It is … big," Verena hedged, not knowing how else to describe the massive stone structure.
    "Aye. I hope in time you will come to like it. My stepmother, Ivone, is the lady of the castle. You will meet her soon."
    Their horses increased their tired gait as they approached the castle, eager to be inside their warm stables. She caught their excitement. She was also looking forward to a comfortable bed and hot meal.
    As they entered the castle she appreciatively took note of its defenses. The thick curtain wall was footed at an angle to counter undermining and deflect battering rams. Not a single window graced the outer wall, but the top of the battlements were dotted with evenly spaced embrasures or open spaces for archers to fire and then retreat behind stone merlons. Soldiers stood at stiff attention atop the allure, the walking space along the top of the curtain wall.
    Past the gates their party had to go through a stone passage known as a barbican, designed to narrow an invading army into its tiny confines. Small openings were cut into the stone around them where archers waited with deadly bows. The most inept archer couldn’t miss at such range and yet was protected by the thick walls of stone surrounding him. Above their heads a long slit was cut into the stone through which boiling water or oil could be poured.
    It was hard to repress the shiver of fear that slid up her spine seeing that. She suddenly understood why Gundy was hesitant to launch a full invasion. Even undermanned and underfunded the McPherson castle would be nearly impossible to take. Gundy’s only chance would be a long siege, but a foreign army in Scotland was a less than ideal situation.
    Verena breathed a sigh of relief as they passed through the barbican and into a large courtyard. A group awaited them at the entrance to the