The last thought as she fell into blackness was,this isn’t a re-enactment at all.
I’ve gone back in time.
Chapter 7
“Idinna understand,” Martin said, scratching his chin. “How does it work again?”
Reid bit his tongue. God give him strength. “It isnae difficult, Martin. Each day has tasks, see? Each task has men allotted to it on a different day. This way we can ensure that everyone knows what they are doing and this place begins to resemble a functioning castle rather than a bloody madhouse!”
Martin scratched his chin again. “I see. And how will the men know what task they are doing on each day?”
“Because it’s written down here!” Reid exploded. He jabbed a finger at the parchment spread out on the table in the great hall.”
“Aye, but the men canna read.”
“Martin,” Reid said, his voice low and dangerous. “Ye are trying my patience. Nay, most of the men canna read. Butyecan and ye are my castellan. Each day, ye will assign the men their tasks, based on this document. Think ye can manage that?” He took a step closer to the man, towering over him, and fixed him with an icy glare.
Martin swallowed. “Aye, my lord. I’m sure I can manage that.”
Malcolm, who was leaning on the table perusing the document, spoke up “What did ye say this is called?”
“A rota.”
“Never heard of the word.”
“Me neither,” Reid agreed. “Lady Abigail’s idea.”
Malcolm looked surprised. “The witch? She’s behind this?”
Sudden anger flashed through Reid and his jaw clenched. “Do ye have a problem with yer memory, Malcolm? I seem to distinctly recall ordering ye not to call Lady Abigail a witch. Disobey my orders again and I will cut yer tongue out. Understood?”
Malcolm paled a little. “Aye, my lord. My apologies. I didnae realize that ye and her were...close. But she is a beautiful woman, I can understand ye claiming her as yer own.”
Reid opened his mouth for a furious denial but hesitated. Malcolm had obviously assumed that Abigail had given him this idea during pillow talk and that Reid had taken her to his bed. If the men thought Abigail was his woman, they would stay away from her. Nobody would dare touch the lord’s doxy. So what if it wasn’t true? He snapped his mouth shut, neither confirming nor denying Malcolm’s assumption. He whirled on his heel and strode away.
“I want that implemented immediately, Martin!” he shouted over his shoulder. “If I find any of the men idling, ye will answer for it!”
