Page 54 of Highland Spirit

“I did. But afterwards, I swear I saw someone in the room behind me.”

“That’s impossible,” said answered. “Finn is outside, Isobel is sleepin’, and the two guards are on the battlements. Besides the few servants in the kitchen, it’s only us here. There is no one else besides Caleb sleepin’ in the great hall and Ethan who is out in the courtyard.”

“Aye, but I ken what I saw. I’m tellin’ ye there really is a ghost in this castle. I’m frightened. I need to find Ethan.”

“Lookin’ for me?” asked Ethan hauling Finn inside. Trapper led the way.

“Ethan!” cried Alana, running to him and throwing herself against him in a protective hug. “I’m frightened. There is a ghost in the tower.”

“Oh, ye mean this one?” He pushed her away from him and held up the dummy.

“Och!” she cried. Her eyes immediately darted over to Finn.

“He got there before me. I’m sorry,” said Finn, lifting his hands and shrugging his shoulders.

“I want an explanation,” growled Ethan. “And dinna even think of lyin’ because I ken ye have been actin’ like a ghost tryin’ to scare me away and I want to ken why. Now everyone, let’s get to the great hall so we can discuss this at once.”

They were turning to leave when another scream was heard from above stairs, and this time it wasn’t Alana.

“That sounded like Isobel!” cried Alana, turning and running up the stairs with the rest of the entourage right behind her. “Isobel, are ye all right?” she cried, pushing open the chamber door to see her daughter sitting up on the bed clutching her doll and crying.

“I’m scared,” said the little girl. Alana ran to her, but Ethan passed her up, getting to the bed first. He scooped her up in his arms and held her to his chest.

“Shhhh,” he said, running a hand over her head. “Everythin’ is all right.”

“I saw a ghost!” she said, sniffling.

“Nay, ye didna see a ghost,” Ethan told her, looking over at Alana. “That was just yer mathair playin’ a little game.”

“Nay, it wasna. I saw it, too!” Kirstine said, rubbing her belly. “It was a man in a dark cloak.”

“Nay, it wasna,” said Alana. “It was a woman in a white gown.”

“Alana,” said Ethan, scowling at her. “Stop this nonsense. The game is up.”

“Ethan, I admit I played the ghost, but this is different. This is real.”

Isobel started crying and Ethan pulled her closer.

“Stop it. All of ye. Ye are scarin’ Isobel. Now, I suggest we all go down to the great hall and discuss this.” He kissed Isobel on the head. “Are ye all right, sweetheart?”

“Aye, Da,” said the little girl, wiping a tear from her eye. “But I’m hungry.”

Isobel surprised him by saying that and he chuckled. “Ye are startin’ to sound like Caleb.”

“Hungry?” asked Alana. “Sweetheart, we just ate.”

“My daughter is a growin’ lass and needs to eat,” said Ethan. “I could go for a hot bowl of soup right now myself.”

“Did I hear someone mention soup?” Caleb appeared at the door holding Slink. “What’s all the noise about? It sure is hard to take a nap around here.”

“We have a traitor in our midst,” said Ethan, his glance shooting over to Alana.

“A traitor? What do ye mean?” asked Caleb with a yawn.

“I mean that my wife doesna want us here and will do anythin’ to get us to leave.”

“Nay, I do want ye here, Ethan,” protested Alana. “I love ye.”