“I am sorry, m’lady. Sometimes my mouth speaks my thoughts before I can stop them.”
“You will get us both into trouble with that mouth of yours,” Marie said.
Agnes was curious and so did not scold them. “You do not like Lady Elspeth?” When neither of them spoke, she said, “I promise your words are safe in my ears. I do not condone gossip, but you may tell me this one time and then we will forget all about it.” Agnes waited until finally Alice spoke up.
“She was spoiled and had a way of being kind when the earl was around and then mean when he was not. If he only knew the vicious things she did.”
“What kind of things?” Agnes asked.
“If she lost something or broke something, she would always blame the boys.”
“Aye, those two sweet little boys, who never did anything other than the impish things little boys do, took more than one trimmin’ because of her. We were all glad when she married and finally left.”
“And now you are here and we can tell right away you are a good person, and you will be a good countess too. We can tell.”
“Aye,” Marie said, nodding her head. “We can tell.”
“Well, thank you both very much. And as I said, your words are safe with me, but I would advise you not to repeat them to anyone else, lest you find yourselves in trouble.”
They both nodded and then ushered her to a chair to work on her hair. Much time and anecdotes about the boys later, Agnes was ready to explore the castle on her own. With William off forthe rest of the day seeing to his business, she was first curious about the gardens as it was still only late afternoon and would be warm for a few hours yet.
She left the maids to attend to removing the bath and clearing away the chamber and made her way back to the great hall. A man was inside and made eye contact with her the moment she entered. He came forward with a beaming smile. He took her hand and kissed the back of it then bowed.
“Lady Graham, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Neville, the earl’s steward, and yours now too.”
She liked him immediately. He was about her father’s age and had a kind face. Tall and muscular, he must have been hard on the ladies in his younger days.
“The pleasure is mine, Neville. I was about to find my way around to explore the gardens,” she said.
“Say no more,” he said. “William asked me to show you around should you wish while he is attending to some things in the village.”
She took his offered arm and walked with him outside and away from the hall and the gateway. The air was still with only the sound of a lonely hawk off in the distance. She glanced once more at the gateway and put William from her mind.
*
William mounted hishorse and trotted along the path leading from the tanner to the blacksmith. He’d need some additional weapons, and he didn’t need them to be perfect, he just needed them sharp. Word had come from the king the rebels had indeed set their sight on Agnes in retaliation for John Sinclair.
He was sick to his stomach as he didn’t know how or when they would strike, but he needed to put his plan into motionstraight away. She was probably still upset with him, but he hoped in time she would see the seriousness of the situation and the truth of his words.
“How long will it take for this order?” he asked Riley the blacksmith once he listed out his items. Long swords, daggers, and axes. Their armory was well stocked with arrows, but they were low on the other items, and he intended to put a weapon in every man’s hand.
“If I bring on my apprentices, three days, and they will be long days at that.”
“Do what you can,” he said and placed a bag of coin on the anvil. “Buy what you need. And if you see anyone around you don’t recognize, do not engage with them. Keep to your business and stay out of harm’s way. I’ll send Neville in three days to collect what you’ve completed. And I am sending extra men to keep watch out in the village. You are in no danger here. They’re not looking for anyone here.”
“Aye, m’lord.”
William left the blacksmith and headed over to the inn. He told them much the same as he’d told Riley. Stay inside, stay safe, and keep an eye out. And that was the best he could do. He’d offered any and all of them refuge behind the castle walls, but they all one by one refused, stating they feared no Highlander and they would take their chances in their own homes.
“Let them come,” Old Nan said. “I’ll show them a thing or two about loyalty.”
William smiled at her spunk. She was a force to be reckoned with, and he had no doubt she would find a way to defend herself.
By the time he made his rounds, the sun was just beginning to set. He mounted his horse and headed for Mugdock Castle. He took the faster main path, though he realized he’d be exposed.Not long after leaving the village he passed through a copse of trees and upon emerging on the other side, felt the woosh of an arrow pass by his left shoulder. William kicked in his heels hard and leaned forward, willing the horse to gallop faster.
Another arrow whooshed by him grazing his skin. The thunder of hooves behind him grew louder and as the gates of the castle came into view, he shouted for the men to open the gate. Just as he made his way inside, two arrows found their mark, one in his shoulder and one in his thigh. The gates closed behind him and as he slowed the horse, the courtyard spun so quickly, he lost his balance and slid from his horse.
The sky was an orangey pink with soft white clouds. His body floated toward them. He closed his eyes grimacing against the hot burning pain searing his broken flesh. No normal arrow would do this. They must have been tipped, but with what he could not tell. And would have no time to say anything. His tongue thickened in his mouth, as something wet dripped down his cheek.
