"Wheesht," Catriona shushed, then glanced around. "Keep your voice down." She hoped strangers wouldn't see through her disguise as easily as her maid had.
Maybe she should take Aggie on the journey to find Torr. She had been planning to convince one of the older stable lads to accompany her, but on second thought, Aggie would probably be a better choice. She knew how to wield a dagger.
"Oh, very well. You've found me out," Catriona said. "You must come with me."
"Where? And what's that on your teeth? They look rotten."
"Soot. 'Tis part of my disguise." Catriona carried extra in a tin box to reapply it when needed.
Scowling, Aggie grabbed her sleeve and tugged her up the stairs to her bedchamber. The middle-aged woman was hellishly strong.
"Cease," Catriona said through gritted teeth. "Aggie!"
"Hush." The maid closed the door and barred it. Only because Aggie had helped raise her from a wee bairn could she get away with speaking in such a disrespectful way. "Now, what is it you're about? Best speak quickly afore I tell your ma."
"I must find Torr MacElrath for the sake of our clan."And my own future."He will know where to find Elsea. She must return to Brodie, beg his forgiveness, and rekindle their love."
"That whore what broke Laird Brodie's heart?" Aggie spat the words, her face reddening in outrage. "Why would you wish them back together?"
"She's not a whore. He loves her, and she still loves him. I know it. And love is what breaks the curse that has imprisoned Brodie and his two friends since last year."
"The curse?" Aggie crossed herself. "Your mother demands such evil not be spoken of in this home. You ken naught of it."
"Aye, I do." Catriona well remembered the details. "The knave Alpin MacTavish wished his cousin Gavin dead so he could take over as chief of Clan MacTavish. Alpin and his band of brigands ambushed Brodie, Torr, and Gavin. Laird Silas MacRae died in the skirmish. His mother, Lady Wilona MacRae, took her revenge by placing a curse on Brodie, Torr, and Gavin."
"Who told you all that?" Aggie demanded, still glowering.
"Brodie did last year. 'Twas only the curse that parted Brodie and Elsea... and caused her to run away with another man. But Ma told me she'd heard that Elsea was back with her clan and unmarried. She is a relative of Torr's mother, so likely Torr will know where to find her."
"Humph. You have nay inkling where to find Sir Torr."
"I've been to Castle Dubhuisge several times. 'Tis only some thirty miles away."
Aggie gasped. "You cannot travel such a great distance alone. Your mother and the clan elders will forbid it."
"I'll not be asking their permission, and neither will you. If I cannot find a way to help Brodie defeat the curse so he'll take over his chief duties again, the clan will go down the garderobe chute fast."
Aggie planted her fists on her wide hips. "We'll go nowhere without asking your mother and taking several armed guards for protection."
"You will be my armed guard. You're tougher than most men." 'Haps that was an exaggeration, but the compliment couldn't hurt. Aggie was proud of her strength and fortitude.
But the maid shook her head, her white kerch flapping over her brown curls.
"And if you don't..." Catriona paused, searching her memory for something she might hold over her maid's head. "I shall tell Ma how you slip comfits and fine foods out for the villagers."
Blanching, Aggie pressed a hand to her throat. "Och! Surely you would nay tell her, m'lady. Would you?"
"I most certainly would. And I ken you and Drury are lovers."
Aggie's mouth dropped open and snapped closed a few times. "You're a wicked lass. Naught but a hoyden."
"Indeed, you have the right of it." Catriona pulled her brother's weapons from her arisaid pouch. "Do you think three daggers will be enough?"
"Mo chreach!Now you're stealing weapons?"
"Borrowing from Brodie. I'll return them, of course. He cannot use them right now as a selkie anyway. I'll let you use one."
Aggie's scowl only intensified.
