“No.”
Kali pressed her lips together as she looked at the seer. “Is he no’ to be trusted?”
“He’s a good lad, but the future laird. The less he knows about us, the better, I think.”
“I understand.” And Kali did, for she and her sisters harbored secrets, too. Like the bag of silver sewn inside her dress. If her father had known about it, he would have confiscated it immediately. “Am I wrong to think ye sleep here sometimes, Mistress Raini?” There was a comfortable-looking pallet with thick blankets just beyond the supplies.
“I have been known to come here with the children as needed.”
“It is a dangerous climb for ye.”
“I am no’ as feeble as ye think, lass. The world is full of illusions.”
Raini had indeed walked the path as sure-footedly as a mountain goat! “Ye are full of surprises,” Kali said, crediting the seer all the more, wishing she could protect the old woman and children better. “’Tis getting late, Raini. Shall we…”
“I’ll have yer oath of secrecy, lass. If any harm befalls me, swear to protect the wee ones with yer life.”
“Aye,” she said without giving the consequences of her promise any thought. The children needed to be looked after, and she would see to it until she could go home to Aberdeen.
There was one last thing Kali wanted to ask. “With all these provisions stored here, the money ye’ve saved, why not find a remote cottage and buy it, provide a permanent home for yerself and the bairns?”
“A fair question,” Raini said, eyeing her. “What would ye think if an old healer and nine orphans suddenly disappeared and no bodies were recovered?”
Kali considered it. “’Twould draw more attention to ye.”
“Aye, and how would we survive on a piece of land if we were attacked by marauders who are known to roam the northlands? ’Tis better to be here where Adam and his men can still provide us with protection if the need ever arises.”
“I never thought of that,” Kali said. “Perhaps a small house in Aberdeen, then?” There must be a place where the children and Raini would be safe and accepted as a family.
Raini grunted. “Where they empty their piss buckets in the streets? Nay. I am a Highlander, as ye are, Kali Bane. Meant to be here.”
…
“Where is yer mistress, Heather?” Adam asked the maid a third time.
“I doona know. She and Mistress Raini were discussing herbs and healing plants. ’Tis all I overheard before they left the tower.”
Adam rubbed his chin, not sure if he trusted the maid. Aye, she was a good lass, but obviously devoted to Kali now. “And the wee ones?”
“Gone, sir.”
“Where?”
Heather cleared her throat nervously. “No one knows where the children go in the daytime, for they avoid the keep while the laird is about.”
A truth that cut Adam to the bone, for his father had become callous in his later years, demonstrating that he no longer held the best interests of his clan at heart. But to hear it directly from a servant… “Do ye trust me enough to understand that I would never allow any harm to befall the bairns?”
“Aye.”
“Good,” he said. “Will ye give me a hint about where they’ve gone? Me father made it verra clear yer mistress is to stay hidden during the day. If she is found…”
A commotion broke out belowstairs in the tower, raised voices and laughter, as a herd of children rushed up the stairs, sounding as chaotic as a stampede of sheep.
“Jesu.” Adam raked his fingers through his hair. “It is as I thought! They doona care about hiding themselves now—gallivanting about as if they are permitted here.”
The door to the chamber slammed open, and all nine children crowded into the room, the younger ones’ fingers and mouths stained red from the fresh berries in their hands. Only when they noticed Adam did silence follow. Then Raini and Kali entered the chamber, appearing happy as they conversed with each other.
“Lady Kali,” Adam addressed her formally.
