The wee bottle of potion felt heavy in Catriona's pocket, and she tried to decide whether she needed to sit on Elsea's left or right. A fit of nerves seized her. Heavens! This was her only opportunity to sway the lady back to Brodie. Undoubtedly, her brother would appreciate her efforts, even if he was ornery most of the time.
She feared Elsea would be suspicious of her motives. Instead, the young woman seemed distracted, for she kept sending glances across the hall toward the men. Was she interested in one of them?
"I dislike sitting at the high table," Elsea said in a low tone. "I much prefer to sit with the clanswomen."
Catriona wondered why, then responded, "'Tis what I prefer also." 'Twould be much better for her purposes anyway, considering how the henchmen always closely watched anyone near the chief.
As supper began, Catriona hurried to capture a seat to Elsea's right.
"This is my cousin's wife, Lady Catriona MacCain," Elsea told her clanswomen. They nodded politely as Elsea rattled off all their names, none of which Catriona could remember, given her extreme nervousness.
While an older clansman at the high table stood and said grace, Catriona opened her eyes a crack and glanced around to see if anyone was watching her. Nay. Every head was bowed, and every eye was closed. With a trembling hand, she drew the vial from her small waist pouch, removed the wee cork, and dribbled a few drops of the love potion into Elsea's wine.Oh, what if that isn't enough? Just a bit more.
Her hand jerked, the vial overbalanced, and the rest of the liquid poured in.
Blast! Too much.Catriona quickly recorked the vial and slid it back into her pouch. Her stomach ached, but she tried to calm herself with a deep breath. The hard part was over. Maybe Elsea's mind would soon turn to Brodie and how much she yearned to see him.
As the meal progressed, the other women at the table gave Catriona fleeting looks occasionally. Were they suspicious? She prayed they hadn't seen her pour the potion in.
She glanced at Elsea. The more wine the lady drank, the more her face and neck flushed. She glanced around, her blue eyes growing darker. Her breathing became erratic, and she fanned herself.
"'Tis hot in here of a sudden, is it not?" she whispered.
Catriona nodded. "Aye, 'tis like an oven." Though in truth, she hadn't noticed a change in temperature. Good heavens, how would the potion work? Would Elsea have a sudden craving to see Brodie? Would she demand to be taken to him immediately? Catriona nibbled at her fish while secretly watching the other woman.Please let everything work properly.
Elsea kept glancing aside at the guard who stood by the entry—a broad-shouldered, kilted man with light brown hair. Why was she doing that? Though the guard was handsome and muscular, he didn't resemble Brodie in the least.
"Pray pardon." Elsea rose from the bench and headed toward a doorway that apparently led down to the kitchens. Catriona had seen the servants carrying the food from there earlier. A couple of women at their table watched Elsea, but no one else in the hall appeared to notice.
Elsea turned, exchanged a glance with the guard, then disappeared downstairs.
Where is she going?
The guard's rugged face flushed. His nervous yet excited gaze scanned over the hall for a long moment. With a lift of his head, he signaled another guard to take his place. He slowly made his way along the wall. Then, for a few moments, he acted as if he were guarding the doorway leading down to the kitchen. Stealthily, he slipped inside and disappeared down the stairwell.
Oh no! What is going on?Catriona excused herself, stood, and followed down the spiral stone staircase to the kitchen. She did not see them in the busy, noisy room. Several servants worked and scurried about, paying her no mind.
"Did Lady Elsea pass through here?" she asked the woman nearest her.
With a lifted brow, she tilted her head toward a narrow corridor beyond the far end of the overheated room.
Catriona did not want to venture in that direction. But she had to find out what the elixir was doing to Elsea and why she'd signaled a guard to follow her. Surely, she hadn't fallen in love withhiminstead of Brodie.Nay!Catriona had to prevent that from happening.
She crept along the empty corridor. Hearing a sound, she paused outside a closed wooden door. Muffled gasps and moans came from inside. A woman crying out. Good heavens, was the guard murdering her?
Catriona pushed at the door, but something blocked it. She shoved a bit harder and saw that a sack of grain had been plopped against the door. She got it open enough to see through the crack. By the dusky light from a tiny window, she was shocked to see Elsea sitting atop the prone guard. She was still fully clothed, her voluminous skirts hiding everything, but 'twas clear what they were doing.
Mo chreach!Catriona's mouth dropped open.
"Oh, Garrett, I love you," Elsea moaned.
What? Shock and confusion assailed Catriona.
Nay, it could not be true! But Elsea continued enthusiastically coupling with the guard in that unusual position. Obviously, he was the one she wanted. Not Brodie.
Catriona jerked back and eased the door closed. Blast! Now she'd gone and done it. Her brilliant plan was ruined! Why hadn't Finnian been clear about how the potion worked? That Elsea needed to bewithBrodie before imbibing the potion.
How would she convince Elsea to love Brodie now? 'Twould be impossible.
