“Tis much the same.” He strode to the corner of the room and swept his arm out to show me a porcelain piece shaped much like a sauce pan. “Your chamber pot.”
I stood beside him and looked down on it. “I think I’ll need more information.”
Magnus mimed how I would lift my skirts and crouch above it, and we laughed, remembering the night I showed him how to use a toilet in 2017. Though the modern toilets had a lot more complications. This was really a lot like peeing outdoors without the getting-to-walk-away afterwards.
While I peed he joked, “Tis much like home, just without the frosted glass door between us.”
“And the toilet seat and the paper and the flusher and the…” I wiggled my hips to dry myself. “This sucks.”
Magnus grinned, “Wait until ye try the food.”
I groaned.
“You will ken that when I am here without ye I am killin’ m’self tryin’ tae return.”
“Yeah, I get that. I understand a lot more now. Also, I was thinking we need a word we can use between us. One that will mean stop, no, I disagree. So I can use it without arguing with you in front of the Earl. It would mean, ‘wait, let’s discuss this.’ Like a safe word.”
“A safe word?”
“Yes, um, in sex, um, couples have a ‘safe word.’ It means ‘stop’ if things get too wild, too painful or scary or something.”
Magnus blinked down at me. “Your explanation needs more explanation.”
I blushed to my hairline. “I haven’t ever needed one, but if you’re playing around with bondage or um, something, you might say ‘no’ but not mean it. You and your partner have a word that means ‘no, really.’”
“Our word is ‘refrigerator.’ But bondage, you have never said this — tis something that is done?”
“I think so, yes.”
He blinked a couple of times.
“Are you okay Magnus?”
“I am speechless as I consider this new — husbands and wives do this?”
“Sometimes, I guess, if they want. Magnus, I’m so hungry. Our safe word is ‘refrigerator’?”
“Och aye, refrigerator. Speaking of which, we ought tae descend tae the great hall tae eat.” He grabbed a candle from a table and took my hand.
Chapter 19
At the doorway I faltered. It was pitch black like I had suddenly gone completely blind. He held the flickering candle closer to my face. “Can ye see?”
I shook my head.
He put his elbow in front of my chest and I wrapped my hands around it. I found myself alternating between wild panic trying to get my eyes to adjust, and staring at the tiny flickering flame of the candle, wishing it would actually light up the space.
“Can you see?” I asked.
“Och aye, tis quite dark, but I can see.” I gave up the struggle and just stared down at where my feet ought to be, concentrating on making out their form. I clutched Magnus’s arm as he led me down the dark hallway, down a winding staircase, down another equally dark hallway. This one though had a couple of torches burning along the wall, giving off a tiny bit of light. It helpfully added to our candle’s faint flicker a tiny bit. Our shadows spilled behind us.
We descended another stair and when we reached the floors below there was more ambient light. Torches lined the walls. The rooms opened up. There were windows, albeit small, lining one side. It was still faint and shadowy, but not outright terrifying.
We entered one long wide hall. Tapestries lined the right side; large paintings lined the left. Long drapes covered the windows. Woven rugs covered the floor. This room also had some furniture. Chairs and the occasional table stood at points along the passage. The ceilings swept very high. Each noise seemed amplified. Our footsteps echoed.
The entire place smelled of mold and dust but also fire and wax and herbs and flowers. It was a lovely smell, deep and rich. We passed a window, and I realized that it had begun to rain, dark, driving, wet and probably cold. But I was warm finally, grateful to be inside an eighteenth century castle.
Me. Inside an eighteenth century castle. And not as a tourist.
I held Magnus’s arm tighter. It was very quiet except for the rain’s staccato on the glass of the windows.
The long room held more decorations as we walked along it. The furniture and tapestries became more ornate. There were beautifully carved tables and chairs and many large paintings. We passed through one final doorway into a room that had paintings lining both walls, wallpaper, sculptures through the middle, and ornately carved cornices.
“Oooh,” I tried to make out the ceiling, there were more candles and torches, but still it was difficult to see beyond about ten feet.
“Tomorrow I’ll shew ye this room. Tis a beautiful collection. The Earl plans tae rebuild the whole castle in a newer style. He thinks this one is too brutish and cold.”
Halfway down the wall, two large doors stood ajar, and whatever was happening inside spilled out toward us — dancing firelight, loud jovial voices, and twanging music.
“I will have tae do and say some things tae the Earl— he is verra political, always slippery about his plans.”
“No worries, I can improv.”
He looked at me with his brow drawn.
“I mean, I’ll let you do the talking.”
“Och aye, and ye are ready tae meet some of my family?”
Chapter 20
The great hall looked exactly like its name a long hallway grown huge. The length was three times as long as it was wide. The beautiful ornate ceiling soared above us, making me feel tiny and insignificant. And though the assembled party numbered over forty, the crowd was dwarfed by the scale of the walls. One very long table ran down the expanse of it, lined on each side by chairs full of people, young and old. They were loudly talking and in the cavernous room it was very loud. Many servers bustled around carrying platters, covered in dishes and pitchers.
Magnus grasped my hand under his arm and set his sights on the head of the table. He pulled me toward it down the side of the room.
Mine was a long nervous approach. I tried to keep my eyes down, but there were so many odd faces turned our direction. As we passed through the room, diners ceased talking, and stopped eating mid-bite. They twisted in their chairs to see us. They stared and whispered as our passage caused a ripple effect of silence from one end to the other.
We arrived and Magnus pulled to a stop and stood, head bowed. I dropped my head as well. At the table sat a man in one of those historical founding-father-style long flowing wigs that I never ever thought I would see on a person. He was wearing makeup. His skin was pale white, his eyebrows arched dark, rouge circles on his cheeks. His features, similar to Lady Mairead, looked pinched and twisted on him. He ignored us, continuing to speak with the woman to his right. She was occasionally glancing up at us, but he remained indifferent.
After a moment Magnus cleared his throat. I remained clutching his arm, staring down at the floor. Under the tablecloth there were crumbs, a half-eaten potato, and a couple of bones, about chicken leg size.
After a moment, the man turned in an affected motion that seemed to say, As important as I am I had not noticed you there. He sized Magnus up, his eyes flicked toward me, then quickly away. “Ah, the young Magnus, home from your travels?”
“Aye, Lord Breadalbane, I am home. I wish tae present my wife, Madame Kaitlyn Campbell.”
“Ah!” The Earl’s eyes flitted down the table to where my attacker sat, staring at his dinner plate, his face black blue and swollen. “Welcome Madame Campbell, and where do ye hail from? You will forgive me, I had nae heard young Magnus had taken a wife.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. My former name is Kaitlyn Sheffield—“
He interrupted to say, “You are a Brit?”
His brow raised and his eyes drew away from me and leveled on Magnus while I answered, “Yes, though I have lived my entire life in the West Indies.”
He leaned back nodding. “Och aye,
the sugar! I have developed a taste for it, twill be good tae have a connection tae the sugar trade in the family I think.” He laughed, a practiced laugh, and looked up and down the table for general agreement. “And how are you enjoying the visit tae my castle so far?”
He leveled his gaze on Magnus while waiting for my answer.
I felt Magnus’s muscles tighten. His energy shifted, his will engaged.
I said, “It has been—“
Magnus interrupted me. His jaw set, his eyes stormed over. “Lord Breadalbane, I canna sit at this table until my cousin has been made tae vacate his chair. I winna share a table with him.”
Everyone turned to look at the man who attacked me. The sight of him made me shake with fear.
He stared straight ahead chewing slowly.
Magnus watched the Earl, refusing to look away.
The Earl said, “Ah, so this is the history of your ugly maw, Ewan. You said ye fell down drunk.”
Everyone twittered amusedly.
“He has attempted tae fall down drunk upon my wife.”
The Earl’s eyes rested on my bruised cheek. “Och aye, tis a wonder you dinna kill him young Magnus.”
“Madame Campbell has asked him tae be spared. But—“ Magnus turned to Ewan and banged his fist on the table jostling the china and glassware. His voice raising dangerously high. “His eyes winna quit looking at her.” He turned back to the Earl. “Lord Breadalbane, I insist he must nae remain at this table or the Madame Campbell and I will return tae our rooms and leave on the morrow.”
The Earl put his hands out placatingly. “Now now, we’ll have none of that. Madame Campbell is welcome here and has my promise nae harm will come tae her. You feel affronted, young Magnus?” He leaned forward and bellowed down the table. “Ewan, didst ye know that Madame Campbell was the wife of your cousin?”
He said sullenly, “Nae.”
“See, Magnus, tis a misunderstanding. Twill nae happen again. Though I can see ye are raring tae fight. In the service of peace within my great hall I will arrange a better seating.” He looked back down at Ewan. “I wish ye to move, Ewan. Take a seat farther down the table.”
Ewan slammed back his chair, yanked his plate and drink and stormed off to another chair.
“See, young Magnus, sit here,” He waved a finger and a man and a woman vacated the seats closest to the Earl, giving them over to us. “Have a drink and some food and tell me what has happened to your mother.”
Chapter 21
The food was passable. Probably because it was so necessary. Meaty and filling, though really seriously needing some spice, or sauce, or sweetness. And some vegetables. The dessert was much like the meal — not sweet. But I hadn’t eaten in a day. Or make that centuries. I was ravenous enough to have eaten a horse. Lamb would do. A pudding would do for dessert. Lots and lots of beer because I was so crazy thirsty.
It was hard to focus on the discussion between Magnus and the Earl. Magnus also spoke to many other men who came up, clapped him on the shoulder, and spoke long and boisterously to him about battles or — really I had no idea what they were talking about. Forced to guess it was all about fighting. Then as soon as they left Magnus and the Earl returned to speaking directly to each other. My hearing was still wonky. Their voices were just a bit too low. My heartbeat and breathing were just a bit too loud. My senses were all jangled. My nerves weren’t as jangled though, by degrees — the effect of the beer.
I overheard the Earl say, “You have heard His Royal Highness, King William, has passed?”
Magnus’s face clouded over, he shook his head. “Nae I haena heard.”
The Earl studied Magnus’s face, then asked, “I believe you spent much time at court, were you friendly to the King?”
Magnus’s jaw clenched. “I never met His Royal Highness, I was never presented at court.” I watched the side of Magnus’s face. He was lying to the Earl, but I didn’t know why.
“So you don’t have an opinion on succession young Magnus?”
“Nae, my opinion lies with you, my grace, with my cousins and my family.”
“Ah, well said, but understand your family and your country lies divided about a great many things.”
The Earl and Magnus leaned closer and discussed the ‘many things’ for longer until finally Magnus leaned back with a grim look on his face. The Earl turned away and rejoined his former conversation with the woman on his right.
“What happened? He wouldn’t give you any men?”
“He has said he canna spare them. There are uprisings and rebellions in every quarter and he needs his armies. He will give me two men tae accompany me tae Talsworth—“
“But last time you were there you were held a prisoner. You’ll be captured.”
“Aye. I might be able tae send one of the men inside, but if I am captured, I can’t see that will do me any good.” He shrugged. “Though at least I would be on the inside.”
“No, no, that’s not—“ I fumed trying to imagine a better plan than this. I could think of three right off my head:
One, call Lord Delapointe by phone and tell him to release Lady Mairead immediately.
Two, call the police.
Three, fly planes over and drop bombs until he surrenders.
None of those would— “Are the men good, that will be traveling with you?”
His eyes flitted to mine nervously. “I have picked them.”
“So they’re good? Who is it?”
“My brother, Sean, and another cousin. They are good enough.”
I stewed quietly. “And I’ll be here, alone, six hours away while you’re gone?”
“Nae, twould be best for ye tae be back home.”
“No. Now that it’s so much harder to do this, I won’t leave with the only vessel we have. I won’t. We both go together or we go when we have two vessels in our possession. That’s the only way. It can’t be too hard to see Lady Mairead. You just — the Earl should go with you and take a band of men. He should demand a conversation with her.” I glanced up and despite our whispers the Earl was listening to our discussion. “Lord Breadalbane—“ I spoke across Magnus.
He turned with a broad, well-practiced smile on his face. “Dear niece, your opinion differs from mine?”
“It does, I mean, I don’t want to overstep — I understand you have difficulties raising enough men for Magnus, but to send him with only two men means he will probably be captured again, and then Lord Delapointe would be holding your sister and your nephew, it seems —“
Magnus said, “Kaitlyn.”
I clamped my lips between my teeth.
The Earl looked from me to Magnus. “I would like for my new niece to finish, young Magnus.”
Magnus sighed.
I said, “Magnus was beaten. I’m afraid if he goes anywhere near the castle he will not come out again.”
“Tis true?”
“Aye, he held me captive for a time.”
I finished. “His back still has whip marks.”
Lord Breadalbane made a sound like a tsk tsk. “You did see your mother there, young Magnus?”
“Nae.”
“So Lord Delapointe wants your capture. You dinna mention this afore.” The Earl gestured to have his beer filled again and waved toward my half-full glass too. “Tis more complicated. I have heard nocht of Lady Mairead in many weeks.”
Magnus said, “I saw her about a month ago, she spoke tae me of some danger tae her.”
The Earl sighed and seemed about to give up the conversation altogether. I had to act. “What if I went?”
The Earl and Magnus both directed their focus to me.
“I could go to the castle—”
Magnus said, “Kaitlyn…”
“What if I told Lord Delapointe that Magnus is missing, and I need to speak to Lady Mairead about his disappearance?” I spoke faster because Magnus’s expression turned sharp. “If you went, Lord Breadalbane, as my escort, he would have to answer us.”
Magnu
s mouthed, “Refrigerator.”
The Earl raised his brow. “I would attend you?”
“Yes, it would raise no suspicions if the uncle and wife of Magnus Campbell were to appear to ask about him. Why shouldn’t we ask to speak to Lady Mairead?”
Magnus’s eyes grew wide. “Refrigerator.”
I turned a fierce eye on Magnus, and said, “Refrigerator,” in return. To the Earl I finished, “And then we would learn if Lady Mairead is okay.”
The Earl seemed amused about our facial expressions and back and forth, “Froigrator?”
“Tis an expression in the West Indies. It means, ‘I disagree vehemently.’” Magnus’s jaw was hard, his gaze forceful.
The Earl said, “I believe Madame Campbell’s idea has some merit. Twould take us just a couple of days tae accomplish. I would take six men. Would ye want tae attend us, Magnus?”
Magnus grumbled, “Och aye, if Kaitlyn is going I will attend her. Though I am nae convinced this is—“
The Earl waved him away with a hand. “We are decided. I suppose if Madame Campbell travels with us, you winna want Ewan?”
I glanced sharply at Magnus.
He said, “I asked tae take Ewan with me so ye winna have tae see him while I was away.”
I gulped at the idea of Magnus traveling with Ewan; someone would end up dead for sure. Possibly everyone. He was still glaring at us from his place at the far end of the table. I clutched Magnus’s hand. Settled in my mind that my idea was the best plan.
The Earl said, “The rain will clear tomorrow morning. We will ride just after dawn and arrive before dark.” He turned away to speak again with the woman to his right.
Magnus urgently whispered, “Nae Kaitlyn, ye canna go in there. I winna be with you. I winna be able tae protect you. You expect me tae watch ye go into Delapointe’s castle without me? He is—“
I clutched his fingers, and whispered “Magnus, think about it — you’re waiting just outside. I go in with the Earl, under his protection. We’re surrounded by men. I see Lady Mairead and she tells me everything she knows about the location of the other two boxes. I leave, meet you outside, and we decide what to do next.”
Time and Space Between Us Page 8