Page 35

“Come in. Come in,” the older woman beckoned.

The cottage was dark inside, illuminated by candles placed on the mantle and tables around the room. But even in the dim light, Katherine could see sprigs of herbs hanging from different places.

“So, ye are the English lady I have heard so much about,” she said.

Enya stepped in then. “Brianna, I would like ye tae meet Lady Katherine de Beaumont.”

“My, my, that is a mouthful,” Brianna said, smiling playfully.

“Katherine will do just fine,” Katherine replied.

Enya then went on to explain the reason they were there, and Brianna, looking a little concerned, said, “I have just the thing.” She turned her gaze to Katherine. “Now. Ye sit yersel’ there.”

She pointed to a chair and then turning on her heels, making her long flowing clothes swirl, she disappeared from the room. When she returned a moment later, Brianna held a brown bottle in her hand. But instead of moving directly to Katherine, she looked at Enya.

“And the laird?”

Enya shrugged and the two shared a look made even more curiosity rise in Katherine.

“Och, ye ken me braither, Brianna. I’m sure he’ll be grand.”

“Hmmm,” Brianna said with a nod.

While Katherine expected the conversation to continue, Brianna turned towards her and handed her the bottle.

“Now, tak’ this sparingly. ‘Tis very strong.”

Enya was nodding. “Aye. I can attest tae that.”

“Here,” Brianna said, producing a spoon. “Tak’ a taste o’ it now. It’ll settle ye. After that, tak’ it once ‘afore bed.

With the sweet tasting tonic administered, Brianna and Enya spoke some more, and as they did so, Katherine felt a warm feeling rising in her body. It started at her toes and moved right up her legs, over her torso, and down her arms, finally making her head feel a little light. So light, in fact, that she struggled to hold it upright.

“Perhaps I gave ye a little too much,” Brianna said, looking at her with concern.

“I’ll tak’ her tae her bedchamber,” Enya said. “Perhaps some rest will dae her some good.”

Brianna nodded, and stepping forward, Enya helped Katherine to her feet. But a second later, Katherine swayed so much, Brianna was forced to rush to her other side and stop her from falling.

“Perhaps we both need tae tak’ her tae her chamber,” Brianna quipped.

Katherine had never been drunk before, but with the room spinning, and her head feeling like it might float right off her neck, she imagined that it felt very much like what she was experiencing.

“What was in that?” she slurred.

“Never ye mind.” Brianna smiled. “Come on. I dinnae think Enya’s going tae manage ye by herself.”

After much stumbling, as well as huffing and puffing from Brianna and Enya as they tried to keep Katherine on her feet, they eventually managed to get her to her bedchamber. The women began attempting to get her undressed, but soon gave up when Katherine could not hold her arms up for more than a second.

“Just lay her down and put the coverlet over her,” Brianna suggested.

Moments later, Katherine felt her boots being pulled from her feet, and more or less falling into bed, even though Brianna and Enya tried their best to hold her steady, the soft pillow caught her head, feeling like a gentle cloud, beckoning her to sleep. She was already slipping into slumber when she felt the coverlet being pulled over her body, and though the voices were fading, she heard one last thing.

“How much laudanum did ye put in that tonic, Brianna?”

It took some time for Katherine to open her eyes. She had roused from sleep, with some difficulty, but even now, she did not seem to have the strength to lift her eyelids.

Lying there for a little while longer, she took deep breaths, trying to wake herself even further, and eventually, after another moment, she was finally able to open her eyes. It was then that she realized that she had been asleep for hours, for the drapes were closed and several candles lit the room instead of daylight.