"Nay. We've been out for months. But there is honey in the kitchen."
"Sounds wonderful." Cat suddenly realized she was starving.
"Finnian is in the garden, weeding and tending his herbs, if you should need him," Maude said.
"Very well." In days past, Cat had seen him out there, puttering about early in the morn. She recalled the recommendation to pick herbs just after the dew dries but before the sun gets too warm on them. He would likely dry more of them for his potions.
Cat watched the maids stride away briskly, baskets on their arms. She was glad the two had become fast friends.
Torr emerged from the stables in his gorgeous human form, fully dressed.
"Splendid to see you, sir." She grinned and curtsied.
"M'lady." He gave a brief and playful bow.
"I'll go inside and spoon out our bowls of porridge. The maids are going on an errand."
He nodded. "I'll be in after I check the horses for injuries."
She proceeded into the quiet keep and started toward the kitchen stairwell. Her hand grazed over the empty glass vial in her pocket.
The love potion!
Eyes widening, she glanced back at the entry door. Everyone was busy with other tasks, and she was alone. She rushed into Finnian's laboratory. Or was it an apothecary? Either way, she quickly located the bottle of love potion on the shelf. 'Twas memorable because of its pretty rosy color.
She took it down, removed the cork stopper, and sniffed it. Aye, it smelled the same as the liquid she'd given Elsea.
Cat poured a bit of the liquid into the empty vial. Not too much. Hopefully, Finnian would not notice she'd borrowed some. After corking it, she hurried out and closed the door. Thankfully, the great hall was still empty.
Jittery with anxiety, she rushed down to the kitchen to see if the bannocks and porridge were still warm. Aye, indeed. After she washed her hands, she spooned out two wooden bowls of porridge and poured a bowl of cream. Then she buttered the warm bannocks. Although she didn't have to prepare food often, her mother had made certain she knew how.
She looked for two clean wooden tankards for ale but found only one. She didn't have time to search for another. Torr would be here at any moment. She filled it with ale, then emptied the vial into it.
Quick footsteps on the stairs startled her, and she jerked around.
