"Merci.Do you miss your son?" Angelique asked.
"Aye, terribly." She and Jamie had always been together from the first. Two months ago, that had all changed when she'd had to leave him with his aunt and uncle, the Earl and Countess ofGlenhaven, while she took a position to earn money. "How could you tell?"
"'Tiseasy to see."
She didn't know when she would get to see Jamie again since she was now employed. She was certain he was being treated well because her late husband's sister coddled the lad and even hired a tutor for him, something Calla certainly couldn't afford now, much to her shame.
"Why are you not at supper?" Angelique asked.
"Well… 'tis a long story. I wondered if you would mind if I used the laird's lug you told me about yesterday, so that I can watch what goes on in the great hall."
Angelique smiled and lifted a brow. "Who are you going to spy on?"
Calla's face burned. While she and Angelique had become friends during the pastsennight, she could not reveal all to her. "I wish to see how it goes with Lady Elena and her betrothed. She thought him a barbarian when she met him, but I think he cannot be that bad, surely."
Angelique grinned and shook her head. "Non, Rebbie is one of the most civilized men I know."
"Rebbie?" Calla blurted, then she recalled Lachlan and Angelique mentioning the name earlier.
"Oui, 'tis what his friends call him."
"I see. Short for Rebbinglen?"
Angelique nodded. "Or Robert. Did you meet him?" she inquired with a frown. "I was going to introduce you to him earlier, when he came to see the babe, but you had gone."
"Oh." Calla had heard his voice in the next room and exited by the other door as quickly as she could. "Nay, I was in the great hall when Elena met him, but I was not introduced, of course. I'm merely her companion."
"But you are a lady, the widow of one of his peers, so you should be introduced as well."
"I'm sure I will meet him… later."
"He is a handsome man," Angelique said, still eyeing Calla much too closely.
"Aye." Calla had certainly noticed. She hoped she wouldn't blush and give herself away. "I but wished to observe him and see whether he is civil and whether he would treat Elena well, if they should marry." She hoped that sounded like a good excuse. In truth, she wanted to learn anything she could about him before they came face-to-face. She prayed he wouldn't recognize her, but what if he did? Would he embarrass her and cause her to lose her much-needed position as Elena's companion? If Barclay turned her out on the street, she would have nowhere to go. Her home was naught but an empty shell. They had not a stick of wood to burn or a parsnip to eat.
Angelique nodded. "Tresbien. I'll show you how to enter the hidden passageway. Can you go alone or do you wish a maid to go with you?"
"I'll go alone."
"You will need this." Angelique gave her a candle in a holder from the mantel, then called the nursemaid to watch the babe. Angelique then led the way from the nursery chamber, through two sitting rooms and into another bedchamber. This one was grand and elegant, with a massive polished oak bed, blue and burgundy velvet curtains, and fine tapestries—clearly the laird's chamber. Calla was certain the lady slept here, too.'Twasobvious Angelique and Lachlan shared an enduring passion, and Calla had to admit she was a wee bit envious of their love-match.
Angelique moved the tapestry aside and opened a hidden door. "'Tisvery dark inside, but I've had the servants clean it well. Hopefully, you will not trip over any debris. I wish I could go with you." She grinned. "Let me know what you find out."
Calla nodded and headed into the darkness of the passage. She wasn't afraid of the dark. She had sometimes escaped her former husband by slipping into the hidden passage at their home, once he was drunk. He often became violent just before he passed out.
She followed the narrow steps downward. Once she reached a level area, she heard the boisterous conversation echoing from the great hall. She followed the sounds to another narrow stairway, and climbed it toward the slivers of light. Finally, she arrived at the laird's lug. This place was perfect for the laird to spy on his guests and listen in on any plots being hatched against him. But this evening, 'twas her spot for spying on Rebbie—she had to grow used to that name. He had been nameless all these years, but she had often wondered what he was called.
Peering through the small square opening in the stones, she looked down at the high table in the great hall. Rebbie sat beside Elena but paid her no mind. He conversed with Lachlan. Angelique had said they were the best of friends.
Elena looked painfully bored as she sat between Rebbie and her mother. Calla was so relieved to have escaped the meal. She knew not what she would say or do onceRebbie'sgaze fell upon her and recognition dawned. She should've insisted on complete darkness the night of their tryst over six years ago. But she had never thought to see him again. He'd told her he was from far north ofStirling, while she was from the east. What horrid luck that their paths should cross again now.
He could never discover her secret. If he did, 'twouldbe disastrous, for she had used him in a most shocking way. She hadn't wanted to, but she'd had no choice. Shame cloaked her like a hot, wet blanket.'Twaseither follow through with her plan or be murdered by her husband. She was a survivor, and Rebbie could never know he'd saved her life.
She well knew how adulterous ladies were dealt with, for she'd heardKilverntaytalking to Barclay about it one day, their voices hushed.'Twasa situation much like her own. An earl had learned that his wife had passed off her lover's natural son as the heir. The woman had been taken before Scottish Parliament and the Kirk, her deceptions and sins exposed for everyone to judge and the son's future title and property stripped. She grew sick merely thinking of enduring such scandal and ruin.Kilverntay, a member of parliament, had made it clear how vile he found such a woman.
Calla watched as the meal below ended. Rebbie bid Elena good-evening and followed Lachlan from the room. Moments later, Calla heard deep male voices echoing from somewhere else. She turned and frowned into the darkness of the tunnel. Where were the sounds coming from?
She picked up her candle and slipped down the dark stairs. Hearing the voices louder, she froze.
