He took the ribbing with good cheer, and so passed the afternoon. He finished the games, performing respectably in the other events. Then he ducked away to wash off the sweat before showing Aaron the distillery.
Aaron’s eyes were dark as they headed to the building. The man had heard about the kiss, of course. He would have been deaf to not hear the ribbing that followed Liam wherever he went that afternoon. The man did not mince words as they crossed the bailey. “She’s fond of you. You’ve gotten farther with her than anyone else ever has, but I don’t think she’s changed her mind.”
“I hope you’re wrong, because the day is almost played out.” And by nightfall, there would be other games about. He would have to see that she was safe from the worst of them.
“I’m not,” said Aaron. But at least he agreed to tour the distillery with him. He’d already sampled the whisky, but there would be a great deal more shared tonight.
With the games finished, the dancing began. Traditional displays judged by elders and audience alike. If Clara appreciated them, he was not around to see it, being too intent on convincing Aaron to sponsor their whisky. He expected she would wander to the corner where tales were told by old men and women who knew how to keep the children enthralled. It wasn’t until after he and Aaron were well filled with cheer that they made it back to the bailey and the remains of the feast.
Mairi had outdone herself here. Food was plentiful and well-liked. He and Aaron had to rush to grab the last of it before the way was cleared for the full revel. The end of the festival came in a raucous dance where lord and pauper danced together. It wasn’t until his muddled head noted the masks and costumes surrounding them that he realized he’d been tricked.
He’d been so intent on showing Aaron every inch of the distillery that he’d forgotten his father’s machinations. For surely it had been that man’s idea to make the night’s revels into a masquerade. And when he finally saw Clara, he knew that her time had run out.
She was caught, and it would be up to him to make it work.
