Torches blazed along the walls, their flames dancing on the elaborately carved ceiling, and throwing long, flickering shadows across the stone floor.
The long oak table stretched down the center, laid with white linen cloth. Candelabras were in the center and pewter plates gleamed at every place; horn spoons and steel-bladed knives lay neatly beside them. Those places at the high end of the table were also set with forks. Goblets of chased silver stood in a row above the plates.
At the high end, the Earl’s carved chair waited empty, high backed chairs to the right and left would be for Magnus and Sean as his wife and son weren’t here.
My place was beside Magnus. Maggie was to sit beside Sean, then Lizbeth and Liam. Benches lined the sides for the rest: guards, retainers, a handful of local lairds and their wives who had ridden in for the occasion. A few of the household folk who ranked high enough had been asked to dine.
The aromas hit me — roast venison, onions, cloves, fresh-baked bread, and the sharp tang of ale. My stomach growled. In all the boxes I had brought, I had forgotten snacks for our room. I was famished. Servants moved between the tables, setting out platters of smoked fish, cheeses, and bowls of stewed plums.
Sean entered the room and came up, quick nod of his head.
Magnus said, “See the settings?”
“Aye, ye must sit at the right hand of the Earl.”
Magnus said, “After I spoke tae him today, I am surprised he dinna leave the chairs empty just tae spite me.”
Sean groaned, “What did ye say tae him?”
Just then Liam and Lizbeth entered; he looked timid and concerned about her. She was giving instructions to the servants, directing a last tray of oatcakes toward the end of the table, her face pale and composed, beautiful, her dress in a lush deep brown, with gold details.
She raised her chin as they both approached.
Magnus said, “Good evening, Liam, Lizbeth. How are ye?”
They nodded and said they were well.
Sean said, “Young Magnus was about to tell me about his conversation with the Earl today, he has upset him apparently, he is surprised the Earl haena requested empty chairs beside him at dinner.”
“I told him ye and Lizbeth and Liam were leaving.”
Lizbeth raised her chin even higher and glanced around the room without comment.
Sean asked, “What did he say when ye told him?”
Magnus raised his eyes to Lizbeth’s face. “He said ye would be missed, that ye hae been verra necessary around here.”
Sean said, “That’s good, he gets our worth.”
Lizbeth raised her brow and huffed.
Magnus asked, “What are ye thinking, Lizbeth?”
“I think ye are nae telling the truth.”
Magnus chuckled. “Ye always did ken m’manner.”
“I do, I ken when ye are telling a tale.”
“Well, what the Earl and I discussed is between us — I winna share it. But he is told, he kens ye will be leavin’ soon.”
Magnus looked at his watch. “Where is he, by the way?”
She said, “I will go ask a page tae see tae him.”
In the corner near the musicians’ gallery, a lone fiddler tuned his instrument, then drew a slow, testing note. I said, “Good, this will lighten the mood.” I glanced over at Lizbeth sending a servant back to the kitchen, Liam standing just behind her.
Sean said, “Aye, he is our best musician.”
