by Amanda Scott
What exactly had stopped her, she did not know. On reflection, she became aware of an odd stillness. Nearby, a honeysuckle vine had wound its way up through the bushes, and its clusters of richly scented white flowers were drawing bees, but aside from their buzzing, the birds and forest creatures were silent.
Ears aprick now for any unusual sound, Katy eased her way through the shrubs toward the Stone. As usual, she was barefoot, her soles leathery tough but sensitive enough for her to test each step and avoid pressing down on any pebble that might rattle or twig that might snap.
She had reached the small open space some distance from the Stone where she had previously left Rory and the dogs. Certain that the boy was not following her now, she hurried on, still keenly aware of the unusual silence and taking care.
Suddenly, she heard a man’s quiet, unfamiliar voice … then another, lower toned, both voices still too low-pitched or distant for her to be certain that either was Will.
Although she thought it unlikely that two strangers had carelessly wandered into these so-dense woods from the public road or the path to Finlagh from Nairn, she also doubted that Will would bring anyone else with him.
Even if he had, she could not risk meeting anyone who might talk of seeing her with Will. In fact, she decided, she wanted naught to do with any stranger.
On the thought, she pushed her way the last few feet through the shrubs to the Stone, hastily scrabbled nearby pebbles into a small cairn in front of it and slipped behind it, where Rory had hidden. As she burrowed into the shrubbery, she prayed that whoever they were, they had not brought any dogs with them.
“How much farther?” one voice asked, even closer than she had expected.
“Just yonder now.” The second voice was Will’s.
Impulse stirred to run to him, but her sense of caution toward his companion plus her strange dream of the black dog that morning overcame the impulse and made her decide to wait until Will had said more.
On reflection, she realized that the sensation she felt, though strong enough to cause wariness, was not strong enough to be the one her father had described as having made him duck and shift position, thereby avoiding being struck down by a warrior from behind. Nevertheless, the nature of the feeling kept her perfectly still.
She was directly behind the Stone, so she could not see the men, but she easily heard them cross the small clearing and stop in front of it.
They were so close and the woods so quiet now that she could almost hear the two breathing but dared not breathe herself until she heard Will speak again.
“As you see, cousin,” Will muttered, noting the small pile of pebbles centered below the Stone and praying that the cairn meant Katy was there and not that she had come and gone, “this place is safer for private talk than anywhere else we have been today. These woods are too dense to invite casual wanderers and we are well off any useful path or road. The castle on its knoll sits to the south, high above us. Guards on its ramparts would see any large force moving toward these woods from the north, the west, or the ridge east of us that separates Raitt from Finlagh, but the woods are much too dense to attract such a force, and the thick canopy keeps those above from seeing or hearing us unless we shout.”
“What about yon woods tae the west that we could see from the road?”
“They are full of Finlagh cottars,” Will said. “The strath beyond them includes Cawdor’s land, four or five miles from here, and is home to Finlagh shepherds, cowherds, and other such tenants, whose charges have more sense than to push their way through the undergrowth here. We can talk safely, but quietly.”
“Aye, for though this great standing stone may hear the whole, it canna repeat nowt,” Dae replied. “But neither can a rock offer advice, Will, so ye must help me tae think what I must do.”
“’Tis simple enough, Dae,” Will said. “You must leave for home without a word or sign to anyone of your going. How to do it I will leave to you.”
“Hoots awa’! Wi’ that devilish banquet Friday night, I ha’ only till then tae make good me escape, but I tell ye true, Will, I couldna sit there, let alone eat, whilst a-waiting for de Raite’s fiendish toast tae send all his guests tae—”
“Whisst now,” Will interjected. “It does neither of us any good to dwell on the details of that banquet. We have sworn a sacred oath to talk to no other person, which is why we came here, to talk to each other or, as you say, to the Stone.”
“’Twould take God hisself tae stop the man,” Dae said. “Sakes, but he told Malcolm and them there would be nae weapons, so they’ll come unarmed, like sheep tae a slaughter. Your da does mean his own lot tae ha’ weapons, though, and for each tae turn and kill the man standin’ tae his left. I canna do that, Will.”
“By my troth, Dae, I doubt that even praying to God could stop de Raite now. Not when he forced that vow of silence on us before telling us what, exactly, we were promising to keep secret. Sithee, he believes only in himself, in his power and his ability to control others. He ignores fairness, honor, and laws of hospitality, and he does not care who gets hurt. He cares only about beating the Mackintosh, gaining more power, and seeking more land for himself. In addition, he kens fine that the rest of us fear God too much to risk eternal damnation.”
Dae was silent for a long moment, and Will tried to be casual about glancing past him, trying to see any further indication that Katy was there. If she was not …
“I must think more on this,” Dae said. “I wouldna want your da tae think ye’d aided me, though. Ye must take nae blame on yourself, neither, lad.”
“I will think on your plight, too,” Will assured him, clapping him on the back. “In any event, we should go now, for they will be expecting us soon. They may even come in search of us if we are later than usual.”
As he spoke, he urged Dae back the way they had come, pausing when the older man went ahead of him to look back at the Stone and the shrubbery flanking it, hoping to see some sign that Katy had come in time to overhear them.
Just as he decided that his plan had likely failed, one leafy branch stirred and two slim fingertips darted out to steady it.
Relieved, and confident that she understood the danger that the banquet threatened and would at least try to warn the others, he strode quickly after Dae.
At first, Katy felt guilty for listening to what sounded like a private conversation, but curiosity and unwillingness to show herself to Will’s companion held her motionless. After the man called Dae said that each Comyn was to kill the Mackintosh beside him, she had frozen in place. Scarcely daring to breathe, she could not have moved then had she wanted to.
Still in shock at all she had heard when Will told his cousin they should leave, she had shifted her position to see them. Realizing then that she had shaken a leafy branch and that, if she could see them, they would see her, she reached out gently to steady it, lest Will’s cousin see her. Will’s behavior had made it clear that he did not want Dae even to suspect that anyone else might overhear them.
The important thing now was to return to Finlagh as fast as she could to warn everyone of what she had overheard.
On the heels of that thought came a second one. She could hardly just tell them that she knew what would happen at the banquet as if the news had drifted to her from a cloud overhead or in a dream, black dog or none.
They would insist on knowing exactly how she had gleaned the information.
Grimacing at the thought, she waited until she was sure that Will and his cousin were well away before cautiously heading back the way she had come. Then, she walked slowly and thoughtfully up to the clearing below the castle knoll.
As she crossed the clearing, Clydia emerged from the woods by the south stream with a pail sloshing water over its rim. She saw Katy at the same time and waved with her free hand.
For the first time that Katy could recall, she wished that her twin could not read her ex
pressions so easily. That wish brought their mother’s image to mind. If anyone could read the twins better than they read each other, it was Catriona.
Today, Katy decided, would be the grand test of her long-doubted ability to think before acting and to keep her feelings and thoughts to herself.
The fact—for it was indeed fact—that she would be in trouble no matter how she proceeded should, she hoped, be motivation enough to delay telling anyone what she had heard until her father and Malcolm returned to the castle.
If she failed to do so, she knew she would face at least two if not three or four explosions of temper. Therefore, the best plan was to wait until she could tell Fin and Malcolm first, together, for they were the two most at risk and who would decide what to do.
Marry, Katy thought, I am learning to think first and act afterward … if only Da and Malcolm do not delay too long in returning.
Greeting Clydia with a smile, Katy asked if she needed help with her pail.
“I have made only one trip, so it is light, but you can help with the next if you like. Did you see Will after you took the bread round to the cottars?”
“Nae,” Katy said, glad that the answer was truthful. “I visited for a time with Granny Rosel, though. She has heard the rumor of Bridgett’s spat with Lochan and wanted me to tell her exactly what happened. I said she’d have to ask Bridgett.”
Clydia chuckled. “Rory told me that Lochan has been touchy all day. In troth, the scamp said that Lochan’s men are behaving as if they would tread across hot embers to avoid his notice.”
Grinning, Katy said, “I do not know whether to hope he marries her or not.”
“I think we know what Bridgett likely hopes. Why, though, would she want to marry a man who would beat her?”
Katy shrugged. “She loves him, I think. Not to mention that hereabouts, most any man we know is capable of doing what Lochan did.”
“Aye, but they ken fine that their neighbors will tolerate only so much of that. Any Highland man who purposefully harmed his wife or children beyond mere correction of a fault would have to face a tirrivee from his neighbors and answer, as well, to his liege lord.”
“Sakes, Clydie, do you think for a moment that Bruce Lochan would do Bridgett or any other woman true harm? He may be fierce with his men, but I have never seen him act violently toward any woman or bairn, or heard of such.”
“I expect you are right, but you also know Bridgett, and she does seem to delight in teasing him. Were you visiting Granny Rosel all this time, then?”
“Nae, for I did go to the Stone, but I did not see Will, so I came home. I expected Da and Malcolm to be here by now.”
“Mam said they will likely arrive before supper.”
“In other words, Mam will delay supper until they get here,” Katy said, thinking that if that were the case, the delay might be longer than Cat thought.
She could not imagine containing her news alone throughout a whole meal. If she had to face Fin and Malcolm, she would do so as soon as they arrived.
“I have been thinking about what you might do for your own safety if you leave,” Will said when he and Dae reached the northernmost part of the ridgetop above Raitt Castle and could see for a distance in all directions.
In fact, he could see the crossing of the Inverness road with the path from Nairn to Finlagh and a company of men approaching it from the west. One redheaded man looked like Gil Mackintosh, the chap he had caught with Aly.
Nearly certain that he was seeing Malcolm and his men, Will wondered if Malcolm’s youngest son might dare to attend the banquet in hope of seeing her.
“What ha’ ye decided, then?” Dae asked. “Art sure it be safe tae talk here?”
“Aye, for we will talk quietly and only of your thought that you may return home soon. If you decide to go, you might bundle the plaid you have worn here with aught else you take and travel in your Lowland breeks, jerkin, and boots.
“Come to that,” he added when the notion struck him, “just give your bundle to me and I’ll take it right through the clachan to the north end of that wee loch with the forested islet southeast of Raitt. You do ken the one I mean, aye?”
“Aye, sure, I ken the loch well enow. My memories of it be painful ones, though, for ’twas there that a lass from Finlagh near broke me pate the last time I visited Raitt.”
“After you collect the bundle and change into Lowland garb, you need only head east till you meet the road through Glen Spey. No one will trouble a solitary Lowlander traveling southward on that road.”
Dae nodded. “’Tis a good notion, that, for I came and went by yon road on me previous visit.” Lowering his voice he added, “Getting away safe be the worry.”
“It need not be,” Will muttered. “If worse comes to worst, ask Colley or Liam to go along … to Nairn, say … then slip off or choose an occasion to clout him over the head and escape. Once you’re away, I doubt de Raite will send anyone after you. If he does, he’ll spare no more than one man. You’d easily elude one.”
“I dinna ken aboot that.”
“Sakes, Dae, Hew already thinks you’re a feardie, so he’ll ken fine that you’d never risk your immortal soul by telling any other person about the banquet. He’ll rightly assume that you wanted no part in such a wicked scheme.”
“Art so sure o’ that, Will?”
“I am,” Will replied flatly.
Dae nodded, still visibly uneasy about the course he wanted most to take.
Will wondered if Hew was right to call Dae a feardie, but he dismissed his brother’s opinion. Dae was likely just showing common sense.
By the time Fin, Malcolm, Gilli Roy, and the men with them arrived in the courtyard, Katy had tidied herself and changed into a pink kirtle with roses and daisies embroidered round the hem that she knew to be her father’s favorite. Then she twisted her hair into two long plaits that she let hang loose, as she had before she decided she was too old to wear them so, and when the gates opened to admit the men, she was watching from the top of the timber stairs.
Descending the steps without haste, she went to them, made her curtsy, and arose with her right hand extended to Malcolm, “Welcome to Finlagh, my lord,” she said with a smile. “I trust your journey was pleasant.”
“Aye, lassie,” he said, drawing her into his arms and giving her a hug and kiss. “Ye be as pretty as a pink rose in that dress.”
“I thank you, sir,” she said, trying to keep smiling as she moved to hug her father on tiptoes. “Da,” she murmured as Malcolm turned away, “I must talk with you and Malcolm privately and straightaway, just the two of you. ’Tis important, sir, and for no ears yet save your own. Prithee, will you arrange for that?”
“Aye, sure,” he said, meeting her gaze. “But I’m thinking your mother may disagree about its being more important than supper if she has delayed its serving.”
“She has delayed it, but by my troth, sir, this is more important and you and Malcolm must hear it first and decide who else besides Uncle Ivor should know.”
She nearly added that Fin would likely decide her punishment then, too, but thought better of it when he straightened, giving her a steady, measuring look.
Nodding then, he said, “I’ll arrange it, lass, at once, in the inner chamber. You go on ahead now,” he added, shifting his gaze to look beyond her.
Turning, she saw Catriona coming toward them with Clydia, so she stepped away and went quickly toward the timber stairs. By the time the others had finished their greetings and the men were ready to go inside, Katy was at the open doorway.
Glancing back, she caught her father’s eye. When he nodded, she went in, crossed the lower hall and dais, and entered the inner chamber, leaving its door ajar.
Malcolm came in first and gave her a searching look but said nothing.
Fin followed him and told a hovering gillie that th
ey would join the high table shortly, before he shut the door.
“Now, lass,” he said sternly. “Tell us what this is about.”
Having considered several benign ways of introducing her news, Katy said bluntly instead, “You cannot go to that banquet, Da. De Raite means to kill you all.”
Chapter 19
Malcolm and Fin were silent for several moments before Malcolm said, “Be ye certain o’ your information, lass?”
“I am, aye, sir,” Katy said, keeping her focus on him but aware of Fin’s grim presence between them. Despite her earlier resolve, she hesitated to continue.
Malcolm, smaller and at present less formidable than Fin, said, “I think ye must tell us more, Katy-lass. I ken fine why ye might fear that de Raite could be capable o’ such madness, but …”
When he paused, Fin looked directly at her, so Katy said hastily to Malcolm, “’Tis not my fear, sir, but fact.”
Glancing again at Fin to meet a heavy scowl, she took a breath, looked him in the eye, and said, “I overheard two men talking, sir. They were deep in the woods below the castle, near a huge standing stone. I do not know if you have seen it.”
“I have, aye, long ago,” he said grimly, holding her gaze. “The area where it stands is heavily overgrown and lacks a pathway. So, what were you doing there and who else overheard this conversation?”
His increasing anger urged caution. If he began shouting at her, everyone on the dais and mayhap throughout the great hall would hear him. Knowing better than to look away, Katy swallowed hard and said, “No one else, sir.”
“By heaven, Kate, did I not—”
“Nae, nae, Fin,” Malcolm interjected firmly. “Ye can scold her or take a tawse tae her backside later. What they said be o’ greater import than the whys or how she heard it. Ye dinna doubt her word that she did hear two o’ them, do ye?”
Fin pressed his lips together with a look that boded ill for Katy’s immediate future before he said, “Nae, Malcolm. She may shade the truth at times but not with respect to aught of importance.”