Mistress Pottenger limped forward and handed her a small wooden bowl. "Aye, if you wouldn't mind taking these scraps out to weeCèilidh. I would take them myself but my bad knee is paining me something fierce this eve."
"Of course. I would be glad to. Who isCèilidh?"
"The black cat what catches all the mice. She has wee kittens hidden somewhere and I'm thinking she needs extra food."
"Oh, aye." Anna smiled. "I petted her earlier today in the garden, then I secretly followed her toward the back sheds. I did see a tiny black kitten."
"Indeed."
"Mayhap you should see Tavia about something to rub on your knee."
"Aye, I will. I've been on my feet too much today."
Anna headed out the door and across the bailey. The torches had been lit, but 'twas still light out. No one was about, although she was certain the guards on duty were in the gatehouse. Everyone else was inside the keep, dancing to the lively music. During supper, the great hall grew too warm and stuffy with all the people shoulder to shoulder. She much preferred some time alone in the fresh air. Besides, she liked being helpful to Mistress Pottenger. The woman had been kinder to her than most people. She also knew the woman likely had to keep working despite her knee pain in order to earn a living. She truly hoped the healer could help her.
Anna called the cat but didn't see her anywhere. She strode around behind the stables toward the back sheds where the hay and grain were stored. This was where she'd seen a tiny black kitten that had escaped the nest.
Upon entering the shed, she saw naught but straw upon the ground. She soon heard mews in the back corner and found the wee critters. The mama cat meowed a warning and came out to greet her. No doubt to keep her away from her babies.
"Here you go." Anna poured the meat scraps from the bowl onto the clean straw. The sleek black cat tore into the food as if famished. Anna crept closer to the squirming, wiggling pile of kittens, then knelt to better observe them. Four black ones and two gray. They all hissed at her. How adorable. She smiled and stroked their soft fur anyway, despite their hisses.
"Indeed, you have a large family to feed."
Mama cat mewled but didn't leave her food.
"I won't hurt them,Cèilidh," she whispered. Funny that Mistress Pottenger had named the cat after the song and dance the clan engaged in every night.
How Anna loved babies of any type, human or animal. If Blackburn hadn't shoved her down the stairs and caused her to have a miscarriage, she might be holding her own sweet bairn. The lass would've been two years old by now. Tears pricked her eyes, blurring her vision as she watched the squirming kittens beneath her hands. How soft they were.
"What are you doing out here, my little songbird?" asked a rough male voice behind her.
Anna jerked around. 'Twas the huge, burly guard who often stared at her, the one who'd spoken to her in the bailey a few days ago—Farquar.
"I was simply feeding the cat." She rose to her feet.
"Ah." Farquar watched her with focused interest, as a wolf watches a lamb.
Alarm prickled through her. "I was just leaving," she said, picking up the wooden bowl. "The other musicians are awaiting me. I'm to sing two more songs." 'Twas a lie but her instincts warned her to get away from him.Now.
"Wouldn't you like to entertain me first?" He smirked.
Her heart rate increasing, she took a step back. "What do you mean?"
His grin grew nasty and his lewd gaze traveled down her body. "Although your voice is lovely, 'tis not the part of you I'm interested in at the moment."
Her heart vaulted into her throat.Dear God, help me.
Spurred by her instincts, she threw the bowl at him and darted toward the shed's exit. He snatched her arm and jerked her around hard. Pain shot through her shoulder. "Ow!"
"Where are you going? We're about to have some fun, lassie."
