The Kissing Stone

by Scott, Amanda

  Clydia, at the washstand, using leftover cold water, said, “You are looking very cheerful for someone who is arriving later than usual, Bridgett.”

  “Aye, but I kent fine that ye’d manage without me, as ye usually do in such a case. I be late ’cause that Lochan came tae find me in the scullery. He said he wants tae make peace wi’ me just as the laird and them mean tae make peace wi’ that deevil, de Raite, tonight.”

  Stunned at that news and terrified that the men might still intend to go to the banquet, Katy nearly exclaimed that Lochan must be mistaken but managed at the last second to swallow the words. They could not still be planning to go unless …

  Could Fin and Malcolm have just pretended to believe her?

  Dressing in the first kirtle that came to hand, an old dun-colored one, she twisted her plaits up under a veil and followed Clydia downstairs.

  Both Fin and Malcolm sat at the high table with Catriona and Sir Ivor.

  Katy went straight to her father. Bending close behind him, she murmured into his ear, “Da, may I ask you something … privately?”

  “Aye, sure, lass. Shall we go into the inner chamber?”

  Nodding, she let him lead the way.

  “What is it, then?” he asked when he had shut the door.

  “Bridgett just told me that all of you still mean to attend the banquet. Surely, sir—” Breaking off when he put a finger to his lips, she said, “I said naught to her, Da, I promise, but …”

  “That was wise of you,” he said when she paused. “Sithee, Malcolm means to give de Raite the benefit of the doubt. Nae, then,” he added when she opened her mouth in protest. “We believe your friend told the truth as he knows it, and we will be prepared for trouble. It is essential, though, that no hint of our suspicion reaches de Raite. That means that everyone here must behave as if we mean to go to that banquet exactly as and when we were invited to go.”

  “But that means without weapons!”

  The heavily lashed gray eyes that matched her own twinkled. “Have faith in us,” he said. “Malcolm will quietly pass the word to hide dirks under our plaids.”

  “What if they search you?”

  “They won’t, because Malcolm would demand to search them first. Forbye, it would be an insult that de Raite won’t risk, whether he is acting in honor or not, and in such circumstances, our dirks will suffice to protect us. More significantly, if meantime de Raite comes to his senses or your lad misheard him, he will never know we had dirks. I am telling you all of this, Katy, because by coming to me with your question as you did, you showed me that you deserve to know we will be safe. I’m placing much trust in you now, though, by telling you so.”

  “I know, sir, and I won’t fail you. Just don’t let anything happen to Will.”

  “I’ll do my best, lassie. But, if violence erupts, I can make no promise.”

  “Da, you must!” she exclaimed. “You cannot let him die! I … I …” Her voice failed her, but tears welled into her eyes and trickled down her cheeks.

  “What is it, Katy-lass? You said that he loves you and that you love him, but you have known him for so short a time … What have you not told me?”

  “Do you remember Brother Julian?”

  “Aye, sure, but what—?”

  “I declared us married, Da. Will is my husband.”

  Fin stared at her, dismay plain on his face. He opened his mouth, shut it again, and then said, “Have you told anyone else about this?”

  “Just Clydia.” She saw no reason to describe her twin’s reaction to the news.

  “Katy, I do not know enough about marriage by declaration to know what its rules are, but neither can you be sure of them. I will do all I can to protect Will if the Comyns do attack us, if only because he managed to warn us. I cannot promise more than that, other than that you and I will talk more about this when I return.”

  Knowing she would have to be satisfied with that, she said only, “Does Mam know that you and the others will take your dirks?”

  “Aye, she does, but you would be wise not to discuss the situation with her even so. You ken fine how swiftly rumors fly on merely a hint. Actions can speak much, too, so take care to act normally in all that you do, as if naught is amiss and we look forward to being at peace with the Comyns of Raitt.”

  “I will,” she said solemnly. “Thank you, sir. I will not let you down.”

  He kissed her then and held her tightly for a long, welcome moment before they returned to the high table.

  Katy and Clydia spent the rest of Friday morning attending to their chores. Clydia went upstairs to supervise the maidservants there, while Katy took her turn in the kitchen.

  There, she watched over and often helped the scullery maid and the lads who cleared the high table, cleaned platters and other vessels used there, and swept the kitchen floor. Other lads replenished the wood in the kitchen fireplace.

  After the midday meal, Katy headed for the stairway, meaning to change from her old kirtle into another one, when she met Bridgett coming down.

  “Lady Clydia told me earlier that ye might like tae visit Granny Rosel wi’ me this afternoon. She said Granny asked ye what happened betwixt Lochan and me t’other day and ye wouldna tell her. Ye might want tae hear when I tell her, though, for there be summat more tae the tale than what ye kent then.”

  “What more?”

  “Nae, then, I’ll tell me Granny first. Ye’re welcome tae come, though.”

  Katy’s curiosity stirred, but another of those odd senses followed as if something tugging at her that she ought to …

  “Be ye coming, then?”

  Blinking at Bridgett, Katy said, “I may have forgotten …” Pausing at the sight of Clydia heading for the hall exit in the apron she wore to work in the garden, Katy felt the teasing tug again, as if it were in her head. They would water the garden later, as usual, so if she were to linger at Granny’s …

  The thought of the garden and lingering elsewhere flung the image of Alyssa Comyn into her mind’s eye, when she had lingered with her in the woods.

  … all will be abustle then … so I’ll see you Friday.

  “I cannot go today,” Katy told Bridgett. “I’ve just remembered a promise I made to do something else, but do give Granny Rosel a hug for me.”

  “Aye, sure, I could fair see your thoughts a-twitching,” she said, grinning. “I may stay overnight wi’ her, but I’ll be back tae wake ye in the morning.”

  “Clydia might like to go with you. I’ll ask her if you like.”

  “Aye, sure, I’d like her tae come.”

  Following Clydia to the garden, Katy explained. “Bridgett is going to tell Granny Rosel what has been happening with Lochan. I just saw Granny the other day, but Bridgett would like company. If you want to go with her, I’ll take care of the watering and do some weeding for you, too, if you like.”

  Clydia gazed at her speculatively. “I know I am not to ask you what has been happening, but we could all three go and water the plants tomorrow.”

  “Da just told me to keep everything looking normal here, lest de Raite has people watching to be sure Malcolm doesn’t lead an army to his banquet,” Katy said. “So, I do think one of us should do the garden.”

  “Very well, then, I’ll go with Bridgett. Do try to keep out of mischief, though, until I return. I ken fine that Da was in a temper the other evening, and I’d liefer you not fall into the suds with him again, so don’t.”

  She waited, but when Katy remained silent, she shook her head and turned away, untying her apron as she went.

  Katy made what she believed was a good show of weeding, while watching increasing male activity in the courtyard. When it was clear that the men would soon depart, she decided it was late enough so that she would not have to wait long for Aly. If Will was walking the ridge, he might turn up, too.

&nbs
p; Smiling at the thought, she put the tools she had used in the shed, took the pail, and headed out the open gateway. As she hurried down the path and across the clearing, she glanced at the ramparts and failed to see anyone looking her way. The lack did not disturb her. With so many men about, who would dare harm her?

  Moments later, she reached the pail-and-smack part of the stream, knelt to fill the pail, and was beginning to stand again when she heard someone coming. Straightening, she turned and saw Aly hurrying toward her with a big grin.

  “This is such a wonderful day!” she exclaimed. “I do wish I could be at that banquet. Liam said there will even be jugglers. I have never seen a juggler,” she added with a sigh.

  “Mayhap you could stay here tonight, instead,” Katy said impulsively.

  “Nae, I couldna do that. I dinna want tae do aught tae irk Father. His banquet be too important tae him, and tae me, come tae that. When we ha’ peace, you and I can be friends openly. That will be grand!”

  Katy swallowed hard, wanting desperately to warn Aly that de Raite’s banquet would lead to anything but peace, and to urge her to stay at Finlagh.

  “Why do ye look as if ye’ve met your sorrows?” Aly asked, frowning.

  Before Katy could answer, a chill of terror surged through her.

  Spinning mindlessly toward the castle, she had barely moved a foot toward it when two men burst from the bushes, and her voice froze in her throat.

  One man grabbed Aly, and at the same time, the second one grabbed Katy and clamped an arm bruisingly across her breasts, making it hard to breathe. When she tried to dig an elbow into him and opened her mouth again to scream, he shoved a dirty rag into it with his other hand before she could do more than squeak.

  Chapter 20

  Katy kicked, squirmed, and struggled to free herself from the arm clamped across her breasts and the equally hard hand holding the filthy rag in her mouth until the villain who captured her just lifted her off her feet and carried her so.

  Though she tried to kick him, they were moving too fast, and it did not help.

  “What were ye a-doing there, Aly, a-talking tae a maidservant, when ye must ha’ seen that she likely belongs tae Finlagh?” the taller and darker of the two men muttered as they hurried along. “What did ye tell her?”

  Hearing the question and hoping Aly would not correct his error in assuming from her clothing that she was a servant, Katy listened intently for Aly’s answer.

  “I told her naught, Liam! Only that I be excited about the coming peace.”

  “That be nae sort o’ answer,” the one called Liam retorted. “Did ye come here tae tell her summat about Da’s banquet?”

  “Just that he will have musicians and jongleurs and that I have never seen a juggler. What more could I tell her?” Aly asked earnestly. “I dinna ken more.”

  Liam glanced at the man carrying Katy. Then he looked right into her eyes.

  Struggling frantically, Katy finally managed to kick her captor’s right knee hard with her heel.

  Grunting at the pain, the man tightened his grip until again she could barely breathe, and then he shifted a finger and thumb of the hand over her mouth to each side of her nose. “Behave yourself or I’ll pinch your nose shut,” he growled in her left ear. “Wi’ this clout stuffed in your mouth, ye’ll be dead in minutes. Ye be nowt tae us, after all. Ye only be alive ’cause it might upset our Aly did we kill ye.”

  “She is … she’s my friend, Colley,” Aly said. “Dinna be mean tae her.”

  “Ye shouldna ha’ friends from that place, peace or nae peace,” Liam said, still eyeing Katy but in a more measuring way that she disliked intensely.

  “But surely,” Aly protested, “if we are to have peace—”

  “Haud your whisst,” Liam snapped, coming to a stop. Then, to Katy, he said, “We dinna want tae carry ye all the way, so I’ll give ye a choice. Ye’ll go quietly or we’ll kill ye here.”

  “Nae, Liam!” Aly exclaimed. “Ye canna do that!”

  Liam slapped her hard. “Not one more word ’less ye want me tae tell Da where we found ye. Ye ken fine what’ll happen then, aye, Aly?”

  Tears trickling down her cheeks, Aly said, “Aye, Liam. I’ll be quiet.”

  “Good. Now, wench, ye’ll recall the choice I gave ye,” he said to Katy. “Which will it be? I’ll offer only once, and if ye dinna keep your word, that will be that for ye. Nod if ye’ll behave yourself.”

  Lowering her gaze, Katy nodded.

  “Put her down, Coll, and take that rag from her mouth.” When Colley had obeyed, Liam said, “What be your name, wench?”

  Although she disliked the demeaning term, Katy kept her eyes downcast, gave thanks that she had not changed her clothing, and muttered, “An it please ye, sir, it be Katy. They’ll soon be a-looking for me, though. Ye should let me go.”

  “Nae one will miss one wench, not wi’ all that must be a-going on there the noo. They looked as if they be ready tae depart, aye?”

  Seeing no reason to lie about that, Katy said, “Aye, sir.”

  “How many?”

  “I think some’un said they be nigh two score, sir.”

  Nodding, he looked at Aly. “How did ye meet this wench?”

  “I’ll tell ye, Liam, but prithee, dinna tell Father. Katy is the only new friend I have met for as long as I remember.”

  “Then mayhap we’ll keep her for ye, lass,” Colley said with a wink at Liam. “Liam would like that.”

  Aly looked stunned. Avoiding their gazes, she said hastily, “I walked this way one day, hoping tae meet Will on his way back from the ridge, and she were looking for wildflowers. I … I dinna recall why.” She looked at Katy.

  Katy shrugged. “The mistress wanted some for her chamber, is all.”

  Liam nodded and said, “She shouldna let such a pretty piece out alone. Ye canna ken who ye might meet. Aye, lassie?”

  Katy thought it better not to react and kept her eyes downcast. To her relief, he merely gave her a push, and they moved on.

  When, an hour or so later, they came to a tall archway in a long stone wall, Liam asked the guard at the iron gate where de Raite was.

  “I dinna ken, sir, but he’s likely inside,” the guard said as he opened the gate wide. “Ye’ll ha’ tae ask Olaf where he be.”

  Nodding with a grimace, Liam led the way in with Aly beside him and Colley followed, gripping Katy by an arm.

  Realizing with a start that she was seeing Raitt Castle at last and recalling bleakly how she had once risked climbing the crag to see it, Katy eyed it nonetheless curiously.

  Despite the timber bridge leading to an entrance at least ten feet above the ground, with its pointed windows and doorway, she thought Raitt looked more like a kirk than a castle. Outbuildings dotted its courtyard, including one with windows similar to the hall that she decided must be a chapel. A round tower rose above the wall walk at the hall’s far southeastern corner.

  Liam strode to the timber bridge and up to the entrance, where he peered at a porter’s squint and shouted, “Open up, Olaf!” When the door swung wide, he added curtly, “Where’s de Raite?”

  “He be shut up in his chamber wi’ Masters Hew and Will, sir,” the porter said. “Who be this wi’ ye?”

  “One o’ Meggie’s many cousins,” Liam replied glibly. “She’s tae keep Mistress Alyssa company during the banquet, since Meggie will be needed in the kitchen. Nae need tae tell de Raite she’s here. I’ll do that m’self.”

  With that, he urged Katy and Alyssa through the screens passage and great hall—already prepared for the banquet and bustling with minions—to the tower stairway. Putting a finger to his lips as they neared a passage with a closed doorway ahead to the room beyond, he urged them silently to their right and up the stairs, passing a second chamber with its door open, revealing a sitting room or solar.

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bsp; At the top of the stairs, Liam pushed the door open, saying, “Ye’ll stay here and say nowt, the pair o’ ye. I dinna mean tae tell Da about your friend, Aly, ’cause I fear he’d hang her and take a tawse tae ye for meeting her. So, keep her out o’ his sight. They’ll be here soon. She can thank me for me benevolence after they leave.”

  He shut the door then, leaving the two young women gaping at each other.

  When the Mackintosh and his party arrived, de Raite received them by the hall’s impressive hooded fireplace and roaring fire. On the nearby dais, Will stood at the high table with Hew, Colley, Liam, and de Raite’s captain of the guard.

  Except for Liam at Will’s far right, near the tower stair, each man had an empty space on either side of him. Will stood next to the space at the garderobe end with another between him and Colley, hoping to survive the night.

  Below the dais, running lengthwise from each end of it toward the screens passage, forming a U shape from the dais, were two long trestle tables.

  De Raite’s men lined each side of the tables with spaces between them, waiting for men in the Mackintosh’s party to take those places. The open area inside the U would accommodate the entertainers hired for the evening.

  Assuming a stately air, de Raite stepped forward to greet the Mackintosh and—somewhat to Will’s annoyance—Malcolm’s youngest son, the redheaded chap Will had come to think of as Aly’s Gil.

  Sir Fin of the Battles followed with his good-brother and war leader, Sir Ivor Shaw-Mackintosh, their captains, squires, and the rest of the men in their tails.

  Will wore his long dirk carefully hidden beneath his plaid and knew that his brothers had concealed their weapons, too. He failed to emulate their evident lack of concern, though, having all he could do to breathe normally.

  Hew seemed oblivious of their guests. Standing next to where Malcolm would be seated between him and de Raite, with the wide space for serving carts and servers behind them, Hew quirked an eyebrow and smirked at Colley, who stood nearer Will. Colley glanced at Will then and gave an elaborate shrug. Only de Raite’s captain of the guard, on the stair landing between the open door to de Raite’s inner chamber and that end of the dais, looked as nervous as Will felt. The man’s right hand twitched beneath his plaid near his sheath.