Page 69 of Bride of the Sinful Laird
Together, the two of them left the keep and made their way to the garden.
Annora looked around. “There are few blooms left, all of them have been used tae decorate the hall.”
Tyra laughed. “They make a fine display. But, never fear, the chambermaids will be decorating all the rooms, not only those of our guests. We shall have the pleasure of the blossoms as we sleep.”
If she’d not been with Tyra, Annora would have made her way to the sparring grounds. Instead, she remained, chatting with her about the preparations for the feast.
“I must nae stay long in this pleasant place, I’m tae assist Dougie MacPherson wi’ the housekeeping.”
“Why, I’d be happy tae assist as well. I ken all the castle is bustling.”
“Come, we’ll go together then.”
They strolled back to the keep and found their way to the Seneschal’s quarters, where Dougie was busy giving instructions to two young lasses who stood before him shaking their heads, looking bewildered. He issued an exasperated sigh as Annora and Tyra walked in.
“We’ve extra helpers from the village today. These lasses are tae collect the linens from the store room and bring the fish-seller from the courtyard tae the kitchen door, but neither of them ken where tae go.” He glanced up at Tyra and Annora. “Would either of ye two kind lasses escort them?
“Of course.” Annora was eager to help. “I ken where the linen is kept and I’m happy tae guide ye there.”
Tyra nodded the second village lass. “Come wi’ me, we’ll find the fish seller and take him tae the kitchen.”
The young lass followed Annora along the passage leading to the rear door of the keep.
“What is yer name lass?”
There was no reply, only a bowed head and hands clenched together at the lass’s waist. Reckoning the young lass – who was scarcely more than a bairn – was too shy to speak, Annora allowed her to remain in silence. They went out the door near the kitchen and along the path leading to the linen room, Annora noting, with a shiver, its proximity to the western gate.
She took the keys Dougie had given her and went to unlock the door, but none of the keys appeared to fit.
Thinking Dougie must have given her the wrong set of keys, she gestured to the lass to wait beside the door. “I’ll get the keys and return.”
She hurried off to find Dougie. Returning to the Seneschal’s room she found no sign of him. Checking the passageway outside, all was quiet. Deciding he must be seeing to some other preparations she sat down on a stool by the door to wait for him.
It seemed an age before he returned. He was full of apologies.
“I cannae understand how I gave ye the wrong keys. I had them on me table.” He shook his head in puzzlement, frowning. Then he reached for another set of keys and handed them to Annora. “Tell the lass she’s tae finish taking the linens upstairs tae the chambermaids and return the keys here.”
She retraced her steps to the linen room. It was one of a series of timber rooms at the rear of the castle where provisions and supplies were kept.
To her surprise, when she arrived at the door, the keys jangling in her pocket, the lass was nowhere to be seen. She found the key and unlocked the door.
She turned, ready to return to the Seneschal to tell him she had lost the girl, when there was a sudden great commotionfrom outside. She glanced through the doorway and was met by the heart-stopping sight of a number of hooded horsemen streaming through the now wide-open western gate.
Jumping back into the linen room, her heart pounding against her ribcage like a terrified bird, she heard the sound of running feet, men’s shouts, lasses’ screams, and the raw crash of metal against metal.
She crouched low, unable to make out what was happening from the noise of the mêlée outside. Suddenly, the door was slammed shut and, to her horror she heard the key turning in the lock, trapping her in the room.
Frantically, she beat her fists against the heavy oak door, screaming for someone, anyone, to please come and release her. Yet she could not hear her own screams above the noise coming from outside.
Then came another sound, hooves pounding close to the door, something heavy hitting the door, and a splash. Her nostrils filled with an all too familiar smell, and it dawned on her that the door she was beating against had been doused with oil. She heard the same sound again as an object was flung at the side wall.
A coarse voice cried out. “Hurry lad. We’ve nay time tae waste, they’ll be on us.”
Another voice yelled, “We have got rid of the lady, as he wanted, just afore the lairdship’s declared.” There was more, but her horrified ears could not make out any other words.
Then, she heard flames licking at the walls outside and the acrid smell of smoke assailed her nostrils.
For a moment Annora panicked, frozen to a spot beside the door, but she quickly realized that if she remained where she was, she would soon succumb to the smoke and rising flames.
