Mary Robb - Down the Rabbit Hole

Beth ran a hand down the jewel-encrusted bodice. “I’ve never worn anything this fine, Maura. I feel like a princess in a fairy tale.”

“I know not this tale of which ye speak, my lady. But ye surely look as fine as any lady who has ever graced Stag’s Head Lodge.”

“And all thanks to you and your helpers.”

The old woman blushed while the serving girls smiled their appreciation at her words. It was apparent that none of them were accustomed to being thanked for the work they did for their visitors.

They all looked up at the knock on the door. Maura hurried over to admit the laird.

Colin paused in the open doorway. And though the room was filled with servants milling about, he had eyes only for the lovely young woman standing in front of the fireplace.

“You are a vision, my lady.”

Beth smiled. “None of this could happen without Maura and these amazing women.” She touched a hand to the jeweled gown. “I’m told this was your dear mother’s. And look what they’ve done with my hair. It was all wind-tossed until they managed to tame it.”

His eyes twinkled with laughter. “And will you give them credit for that lithe young body and beautiful face, as well?”

That had all of them laughing.

Maura cleared her throat and motioned for the women to leave. When the last one was gone, she paused, seeing the way the young woman and the laird were staring at each other with naked hunger.

The old woman was smiling as she silently closed the door and made her way along the hall.

* * *

Colin reached a hand from behind his back and handed Beth a nosegay of flowers. At her look of surprise, he touched a finger to her cheek. “I saw these in the garden and had to pick them. They reminded me of you, so sweet and so perfect.”

She buried her face in the nosegay and fought a sudden rush of tears. “Thank you, my lord.” She looked up. “Before we go to the banquet, there are things I must tell you. Important things that could—”

He gently shook his head and offered his arm. “There will be time later to talk. Now we must go belowstairs.”

Seeing the set of his jaw, she took a deep breath and placed her hand on his sleeve. And as she moved along by his side, she prayed that she could remain strong and vigilant. For there was evil here. She could sense it. Could almost feel it vibrating in the very air.

* * *

The great room was filled with voices and laughter as the men strutted about, boasting of their hunting prowess, while their ladies made a great show of displaying their finest gowns.

Giant logs blazed on the hearth, warming the room and perfuming it with the scent of evergreen. The tables were groaning under the many dishes prepared by Mistress MacKay and her serving wenches.

When Colin and Beth entered, there was a sudden silence as the men and women looked over at the handsome couple.

Edwina’s eyes narrowed. “Another of the Lady Catherine’s gowns? Have you nothing of your own?”

Beth gave a slight shake of her head. “I arrived at Stag’s Head with nothing but the clothes on my back.”

“Which, as I recall, were strange garments reminiscent of someone quite demented.” Edwina shot a quick glance at her friends, who looked embarrassed before laughing behind their hands.

A handsome young man stepped up beside Edwina. “Mind your manners, wife. I’ve only just arrived and already you’ve had your fill of ale.”

“Oh, I’ve had not nearly enough. But I’ve had my fill of you, Muldore.” At that, Edwina flounced away, leaving him staring after her.

Beth’s brow shot up as she turned to Colin. “That is Edwina’s husband?”

“Aye. Muldore Campbell. Poor fool. She cared not about his heart, but only for his gold. And he never looked beyond the pretty face to see into the soul of Edwina, so now he pays the price.”

He led Beth toward the head table. As soon as they were seated, the guests followed suit.

In no time, as servants scurried about filling platters and goblets, the noise level rose to a fever pitch.

More than a few of the hunters were staggering about, the result of too much ale. Their drunken laughter rang through the room.

As if to further taunt her husband, Edwina openly flirted with the men who returned her attention until they would happen to take note of Muldore Campbell seated to one side, glaring, his hand on the dagger at his waist. Then they would step back, leaving Edwina to seek out another conquest for her dangerous game.

Beth caught a glimpse of Ian pulling one of the serving girls close to whisper in her ear. Whatever he said had the lass blushing before she hurried away. With a laugh he turned to another, younger lass, and boldly ran his hand down the front of her gown, causing Colin to give a hiss of anger.

Beth turned to him. “Ian’s wife is not here with him?”

Colin’s voice was low. “She could not make the journey, since she is soon to deliver their first child.”

“Poor thing.”

“Aye. She had little to say about the matter of marriage. It was decided between her father and Ian, and I’m told he promised the old man a great deal of gold in exchange for his daughter’s hand.”

“I hope her father thinks it was worth making a bargain with the devil.”

At her words, Colin turned to her. “I see you are not deceived by Ian’s handsome features.”

“A very wise woman once told me that looks aren’t enough. What matters most is a good heart.”

“A wise woman, indeed.” Colin got to his feet and held aloft a cup of ale.

Around the room voices were stilled as the laird began to speak.

“My friends, I am in your debt. Even now, as we feast, the villagers are also celebrating with a feast of their own. Because of your skill with bow and arrow, no man, woman, or child, even the oldest among them, will go hungry this night. For that, I thank you, my friends.”

Hamish stood and lifted his own tankard. “It is we who salute you, my laird. These days spent in your company have been a special treat to all.”

Colin smiled at the young man. “It is time to announce the winners of today’s hunt.”

At a signal, Jamie stepped up beside his laird and handed him a bundle of arrows, sorted by feathers.

Colin glanced around the hall until he spotted the red-bearded son of an old friend. “Adair, you brought down the most pheasants. Come forward and accept your reward.”

As the young man paused before him, Colin clapped a hand on his shoulder before handing him a small sack of gold.

After accepting his prize, the young man knelt and declared loudly, “I thank you, my laird. And I declare my fealty to you forever.”

Touched, Colin nodded. “Your laird thanks you, Adair.”

He reached for the second set of arrows and called, “Bancroft. You brought down the greatest number of quail. Come forward and accept your reward.”

Like Adair, the young hunter with pale blond hair stepped forward and was handed a small sack of gold. And, like Adair, he knelt and loudly declared his fealty to his laird, to much shouting and pounding of goblets on the wooden tables.

“Hamish.” Colin picked up the largest bundle of arrows, bearing the soft, plumed feathers of an egret. “Yours was no idle boast. You have, indeed, proven yourself to be a most gifted bowman. When we combine the number of pheasants and quail brought down by your arrows, I declare you the winner of the entire hunt. In all, you provided my villagers with three score and five birds for a glorious feast.”

To much shouting and pounding, the young man stepped forward to claim a much larger sack of gold.

Clearly humbled by the honor, he knelt before his laird and declared in a loud voice, “Though I was born to the Campbell clan, and have declared allegiance to my clansmen, I do declare my fealty to you, as well. If ever you need my strong arm, it is yours.”