“Yer in trouble.”
“I am. But nae mysel only. My little sister has been taken, and tae get her back, I have tae complete a task.”
“A task in the castle, with the laird.”
“Aye,” Elaine said, hope growing within her every minute. Allison had not yet chased her away or cried out to the other lasses they could both hear inside the house.
“Are ye going tae hurt him?”
“Christ, nae!” Elaine blurted. “I cannae tell ye much more Allison, but I swear tae ye, the laird is in nae danger from me.”
“It’s just, ye ken,” she shrugged. “Yer very braw with yer dagger.”
Elaine felt the guilt return from what she had done last night. She had hardly had a chance to feel it, but it had simmered under the surface of all the fear and trepidation of what she had been assigned to do.
“I’m sorry, Allison. Really, I am. It’s only that I’m petrified for my sister’s life. The man who has her is nae a man tae cross.”
For another long moment, the lass considered Elaine’s words. With a decisive nod, she spoke again. “All right. I’ll help ye. What is it that ye need me tae dae?”
“I only need another gown,” Elaine said, gesturing to the one she currently wore. “I dinnae possess any of this…” she hesitated, not knowing how to say what she meant without causing Allison offense.
“It’s all right. I understand. Come with me. I’ll find ye something.”
They sneaked into Allison's bedroom where shereturned Elaine's clothes that they had swapped the night before. The womanthen selected a gown from a wardrobe full of them.
“I think this color will suit ye,” she said, holding up a red-colored dress. “It doesnae really fit with my red hair. Red and red just dinnae go together.”
It was the first time Elaine really looked at the girl. On closer inspection, she realized that she was likely a little older, if only by a year a two. She was pretty with short red hair and a soft complexion. Her green eyes sparkled. Elaine had to wonder why she was a lady of pleasure at all. For with her sweet appearance and slender figure, she was certain to find herself a good husband if she only looked. It was a fleeting thought and one she kept to herself. There were far more important things on her mind.
With her gown in hand, Elaine had thanked Allison and said her farewells before making her way back to the farmhouse. She had been careful though, warily watching about her to make sure there were none of the laird’s guards around. No longer feeling uncomfortable now that she wore her own clothes, Elaine moved fast, tracking through the woods to lose anyone who might attempt to follow her. She was certain there had been no one.
The house was bitterly cold with no fires lit, and eerily quiet. Taking what little bread was left from the cupboard, Elaine ate voraciously, not realizing until the first mouthful, that she was ravenously hungry. The note was still stuck to the back of the door, the dagger impaled in it. And when sheread about her father's death again, she was overcome with a growingsadness, making her feel utterly alone as there was no one else she could turn to. Having her sister's depend on her was not only aburden, but a terrifying one at that.
As night fell, Elaine found herself back at the castle walls. She knocked on the gate, waiting for the guard to open it. He gave her a quick glance before leading her through the twists and turns to the laird's bedchamber. She had tucked a dagger down her sock knowing she had no fear of him touching her this time. If she was honest, she had no reason to do so, havingnothing to fearfrom Duncan. Its presence, however, provided her with some strange comfort.
“Good evening, Elaine,” Duncan said, regarding her as she closed the door.
He was sitting at a table in front of the fireplace thathad not been there the night before—a chess board on top of it. He was clearly playing himself since the pieces had been moved.
“Good evening,” she paused a beat, “Duncan.”
He smiled broadly but made no comment about her greeting. “Do ye play?” He gestured to the board before him.
Elaine shook her head. “I never have.”
“Then come,” he motioned toward the opposite chair. “Save me from my boredom. It is hardly the same when ye ken what yer opponent is going tae dae.”
As shelowered herself into the high-backed chair, her eye caught something, her breath catchingin her throat. Duncan was wearing the ring. She quickly averted her gaze, afraid that he would notice her sudden interest. Fortunately, he stood up and walked over to the dresser to pour wine into the same goblets they had drank from the night before.
“Chess is won by thinking three moves ahead,” he said, his back still to her. “The pawns are there tae sacrifice,” he continued, moving back to the table, and handing her the goblet.
Elaine frowned at his words. By her expression, he rightly concluded that she was confused. “These are the pawns,” he said, lifting the smallest figure. “Now, let’s put these pieces back where they start, and we can begin.”
Elaine and Duncan spent the next hour or so playing chess. They teased each other since the laird was clearly as competitive as she was, but shealso paid close attention to hisinstruction as well as his own moves. She was ecstatic to discover how quickly she picked up the tactics, and when she managed to challenge him with checkmate, Duncan looked at her with mock suspicion.
“I thought ye said ye hadnae played this ‘afore?” He said, his words a little slurry. They were well into their third bottle of wine, but Elaine was drinking much slower than he.
‘I havnae,” she shook her head. “I swear.”