“Very well. I’ll go with you. Let me put on myarisaid.” Seona quickly belted the wool plaid around her waist, secured the brooch at her chest and joined the two maids in the corridor.
“I’m sorry to bother you, m’lady. I simply didn’t know what else to do.”
“’Tis no bother. Do you ken where the kitchen is?”
“Aye, we were there earlier, but ’tis a long trek.”
The door where the guard was stationed opened and Isobel stuck her head out. “Is something wrong?” she whispered. “I heard noises out here.”
“Nay. Aunt Patience is hungry,” Seona said.
“Good. She is improving, then. Wait just a moment.” Isobel returned a minute later, also wearing herarisaid. “I will show you where the kitchen is. I’m certain there must be some leftover breadand cheese. I need to go down there anyway.” Carrying a lantern and a small flask, Isobel led the way.
Seona knew Isobel hated whisky, but maybe Dirk needed more.
“Is Laird Dirk feeling well?”
“Aye, he is sleeping now but when he wakes up he may want more wine or whisky for pain.”
The four descended the spiral stairwell, took two turns along a corridor, then descended another stairwell. Finally, they entered the stone-vaulted kitchen. The fires burned low but the room was still cozy. Seona had always enjoyed visiting kitchens because of the warmth and scent of fresh baked bread or savory stew.
Isobel placed a wooden tray on the high cook’s table, then moved about the kitchen gathering food items—a wooden bowl of venison broth, bread, hard yellow cheese, and mulled wine.
“Is something wrong, ladies?”
Seona turned to find Keegan behind them, holding a thick candle. Heated excitement rushed over her. “Nay,” she said. “’Tis only that Aunt Patience is finally hungry.”
His brows lifted. “Ah, ’tis good news, then. Her seasickness must have passed.”
“How did you know we were down here?” Isobel asked.
“MacMillan is on guard duty, and he saw the four of you sneak by his post at the bottom of the steps. He told me immediately.”
“Where was he? I didn’t see him,” Isobel said.
“Come now, ladies. Surely you pay more attention than that to what is around you.”
“Nay, we depend on you men to do that for us.” Isobel smirked.
“Aye, treat us all no better than guard dogs, then.”
Seona snickered, and Keegan grinned in response.
“There now,” Isobel told Millie. “Take that tray to Lady Patience. If she needs more, feel free to come down here and get it. There is naught to fear, Edwina. This castle is safe. As a child, I used to wander all over it, even at night. Indeed, sometimes I would wake up and find myself here, in the kitchen.”
The timid maid nodded, but didn’t appear convinced.
“I thank you, m’lady,” Millie said. “Come, Edwina. Carry the candle.”
The two proceeded up the steps.
“What are you doing up this late, Keegan?” Isobel asked.
“I was playing cards with three of your brothers.”
“I hope you beat them.”
“Aye, I won a few. I’ll be glad when Dirk is recovered enough to play a few hands.”
