Page 11 of The Trials of Neilina MacKai (The MacKai Brides #5)

T he Ramparts of Castle MacFearann

Rhuad had thought that walking away from Seona after their kiss was the most difficult thing he’d ever done. That achy longing was nothing compared to watching her ride away with only her cook as a companion.

The Reverend Mother had responded to Seona’s letter, albeit slowly, but with an invitation to take sanctuary at the Abbey of St. Margaret.

There would be a price of course. The abbey did not have the means to support every supplicant.

They took in only those who could either pay or were possessed of a useful skill.

Since, Lady MacFearann could pay and needed only temporary shelter, she was welcome, until her brother could take her to a safe place far from MacFearann lands. Reverend Mother Eadbrugh had offered to send an escort.

Seona had replied that an escort would draw too much attention from her husband. She would appreciate the abbess’s help arranging for transport from Baile Iasg village to the abbey.

All those details and more ran through Rhuad’s mind as he watched his handfasted wife disappear into the distance.

He must wait three days before sending his squire to the village.

Seona had estimated that was the shortest possible amount of time needed to find his mother and sister then send out a message that all was ready for the rescue.

One day after the squire left, Rhuad and his men would follow. The plan was to arrive at Baile Iasg after dusk, the better to hide the presence of an armed force from the abbey and any spies they might have in the village.

Five days would pass before he saw Seona once more.

Separating from her had hurt him greatly.

The fear he had for her safety during the mission she’d undertaken was greater yet.

He would not be at peace until he saw her safe.

He paced the ramparts. He had five days to figure out if he wanted a marriage instead of this temporary handfasting.

He wished he understood what Seona had meant by saying she would lose herself, if she allowed herself to love him.

The one positive point in all his worries and frustration was that she evidently believed herself capable of loving him.

Am I capable of loving her ?

Love wasn’t necessary to a marriage, but he’d seen the harm a loveless match could cause in his own parents’ union.

He’d been joyful at being fostered, for it gave him the chance to escape the yelling and petty cruelties his parents indulged in.

He’d promised himself never to live like that.

Thus, he knew he wished to love the woman he wed.

No other woman had appealed to him as Seona had.

He would have preferred to keep her at MacFearann Castle where he knew she would be safe.

However, the logic of her plan was inescapable.

Stealth and information would gain better results than a blunt, direct attack, especially since he only had twenty men at his command.

His opponent’s guard numbered upwards of forty experienced men at arms. Lord knew how many others at the abbey might be able to supplement that guard.

“My lord?” Dougal’s voice sounded in Rhuad’s ear.

Seona was beyond sight, but Rhuad could not bring himself to stop watching.

“What is it, friend?”

“The maid, Eibhlin, wishes to speak with you.”

“Very well.” Any distraction was welcome. “I’ll see her in the great hall.”

“She’s waiting there now.”

“Then let’s get this over with.” So I can go back to worrying about my wife .

But Eibhlin’s news gave Rhuad a host of new worries.

***

S EONA AND HER COOK rode into Baile Iasg as dusk faded into night.

“The earl’s squire said we should ask for a room at the tavern,” the cook reminded.

“Let us first find shelter for our mounts.”

“Oh, I didn’t ask about that when you told me to question the squire about this village.”

“It’s not that difficult. Most villages have someone who would like to earn some coin by caring for strangers’ horses.”

“As you say Lady Seona.”

They approached the tavern together.

Seona noticed some men sharing a drink on a bench beside the tavern door. “Good even, good yeomen.”

They nodded in response. One of them stood.

“Be ye th’ visitor to th’ abbey as what’s expected?”

“Reverend Mother Eadbrugh Huelgas of Selby invited me to stay at the abbey.” Keep it simple, Seona reminded herself. The more complicated a lie, the more likely it will be discovered. The statement about the invitation was true, as far as it went.

“’Spect she’ll send sum’un fer ye in the morning.”

“That is my understanding. Do you happen to know a person who could care for our horses?”

“I’ll do it for one French mark each for a day,” he replied.

“I don’t know how many days I will be at the abbey. However, I can pay you for a full week in advance, if you’ll return to me any coin owed for days I don’t use.”

The man nodded. “’Ats fair.”

“I’d like to see where they will be kept and what you plan to feed them. Your price is high. I had hoped to pay a half a mark each.”

“Follow me then. I’ve a place at the other end of the village with a shed and a pasture out th’ back.”

When she saw the pasture and the shed, Seona was satisfied.

She planned to be at the abbey less than a week.

However, she might be in a hurry when she left and unable to retrieve any money owed.

The money was MacFearann’s, and Rhuad had assured her that loss of such a small amount would not strain the clan’s coffers.

In short order, she and the cook were back at the tavern with their saddle bags negotiating with Mr. Clyne for a room.

“Ye say ’tis only yer servant as will use the room after tonight?”

“Indeed. I will be visiting the Reverend Mother. Her invitation clearly stated that I should bring no servants.”

“Aye, them nuns, they do most everything for themselves. Hasn’t brought much custom to our village.” He frowned. “’Ceptin’ for transporting folks. The fishermen make extra coin by taking folk over to the island.”

“Since fishing is a chancy business, the extra money must be welcome,” Seona commented.

“Aye, and too, some of that coin makes its way to my tavern.” Clyne grinned.

“You’ve named your price,” Seona brought the conversation back to the matter at hand. “I will pay you for tonight and tomorrow. After that, my servant will pay you in the morning for the next night’s stay.”

“That’s agreeable. I’ll show you to the room.”

They followed him up a narrow staircase. A door at the top opened into a single room. It was more of an attic than a chamber, given the ceiling of bare planks was pitched like the roof she’d seen from outside.

He held the door open to usher them inside and pointed toward the wooden bed. “There’s a trundle under the bedstead over there.”

“That is much appreciated. When is dinner served?”

“I’ll send me wife to fetch you when it’s ready.”

“Thank you.”

“Good night to you then.”

“And to you, sir,” Seona called as he shut the door. She heard him clump down the stairs.

“Come sit with me on the bed, Mistress Auchmuty. We should review our plans for tomorrow, and I’d rather not risk being overheard.”

“Those stairs are so rickety; we’ll know of anyone coming before they can get close enough to listen.”

“True, however, better safe than sorry.”

“Aye.”

“We’ll need to wake early. I did not see a church or hear a watchman. I doubt we’ll be able to hear the hours being rung from the abbey. I’ll need your help to rise early enough to meet the boatman who will take me there.”

“Don’t you worry about that, my lady. I always wake afore sunrise. You’ll not miss your boat.”

“Good. The only part of the plan that is uncertain is whether or not my boatman will carry messages for me to you and be quiet about it.”

“I know you plan to offer him enough coin to make even the poorest man happy.”

“When he’s finished working for me, he’ll be able to purchase a new boat, but only if he keeps our secrets.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

“Then you must stay in good graces with our host. Rhuad’s squire said he’s a canny man who knows everything that goes on in the village and a lot that happens in the abbey. If our boatman fails us, or some other unexpected problem arises, Mr. Clyne will know.”

“The squire will be here in three days, and the earl and his men the day after. We should be able to manage until then,” Mistress Auchmuty said.

“I pray that everything goes smoothly, but I want to be prepared for the worst to happen.”

“The worst would be if you were killed before you could get a message out,” the cook stated. “With no one to aid you at the abbey, I don’t think we can prevent any harm that might come to you.”

“Indeed, the best we can do is give the Reverend Mother good reason to keep me alive.”

***

“W HAT DO YOU MEAN, LADY Staunton is missing?” Rhuad demanded of the maid, Eibhlin, earlier that day. One of his aunt’s foul moods was the last thing he needed right now.

“She said I should report straight to her as soon as Lady MacFearann left. I tried to do that. I have searched everywhere I can think of, but I can’t find her.”

“Perhaps your aunt has simply gone for a stroll,” Suggested Dougal.

Rhuad shook his head. “You haven’t known my aunt very long my friend, or you would know that she never walks when she can be driven in a carriage or carried in a chair. She cannot be bothered to do for herself. Hence, taking a walk is an unlikely activity.”

“What should I do, my lord?” Eibhlin asked.

“Find another of the maids. Then go to my wife’s chambers and make certain all is in order there. Her things are put away, the chamber cleaned and made ready for her return.”

“Yes, my lord. I will do as you say, but Lady Staunton will not be pleased that I did not follow her orders.”

“You tried,” he said and forced a reassuring smile. “I will deal with Lady Staunton. I promise she will not punish you.”

“Thank you, my lord.” Eibhlin dipped a curtsey and left.

“What do you think happened to your aunt?” Dougal queried.