My Dark Knight

Chapter 39

Jack turned red with anger.

"I doona ken why ye are angry. Mistress was growing impatient with ye. If the laird is injured, it will be easier for us to do what we must. I did something in a matter of minutes, something you should have done months ago." Jack sneered.

Mistress could go to hell for all Andrew cared. The bloody git ruined everything! He would have to be more cautious than usual. No doubt laird Knight would have his eye out for him.

"Laird Knight is always cautious, he isna easily bested. Laird Rivers is here with him as well. Ye had luck on yer side, it willna happen again. And ye left yer bloody footprints. I had to have them taken care of, but it will give laird Rivers a lead." Andrew snarled in hatred. The weasel of a man ruined everything! Andrew could snap his scrawny neck in two, but he refrained. The daft fool could be a conniving bastard when he wanted.

Jack paled.

"Ye got rid of the footprints, aye? Tell me ye did!" His earlier euphoria gone.

"Aye, I did. Why did she send ye?" Andrew questioned, he needed to be careful they did not have much time left.

"She said she was growing impatient." Jack answered, a foolish look on his face as he thought of his mistress, smitten with her outer beauty.

"And Fredrick allowed the rash decision?" Andrew asked incredulously.

"Aye, the wench has her wee hands wrapped around him." Jack said slyly.

Andrew was less than amused. Fredrick was never lackadaisical in his planning. The wench would be their bloody destruction!

Andrew seethed, unable to do anything. The sooner he fulfilled his end of the bargain, the sooner he could leave. If laird Knight learned of him.........

Andrew shuddered at the thought, fear clogging his throat. Loathing was quick to follow. He despised fear, he should not have to be afraid of anything! He never feared anything, until now. Knight made him fear. How he hated it!
Fear made room for loathing as his mind concocted a plan.

"Now ye listen to me, Jack. Listen verra carefully."

Sapphire wiped a stray tear as she lifted her trembling hands to her husbands tunic. Removing her dagger from her waist, she cut open the tunic, her teachings making her emotions numb.
Silently she took the scraps of cloth, dipping it in warm water before using them to remove the blood which covered his torso. Sapphire ignored the people around her, studiously concentrating on her task.
Once all the blood was removed, Sapphire dipped her needle in ale, his wound warranted him stitches. She took a deep, steadying breath.

"I can call for the healer." Alexander said softly from somewhere to Sapphire's left.

"There is no need." Her voice sounded hollow, empty, already preparing herself for the worst. Her mind erased the people from the room until it was only her left. Her, the needle, and the flesh which she must sew.

Alexander exchanged anxious looks with Gerald but remained silent. Gerald nodded his head in understanding, his eyes fixed on her ladyship.

In. Out. In. Out. In. Out.

Sapphire stitched evenly, the shaking in her hands long gone to be replaced with .... determination? Hope? Or resignation.