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“There must be another way,” she repeated. “Something… Anything…”
He shook his head. “I do not believe so.”
“But—”
“I shall see ye in the morning, Kat. After breakfast.”
CHAPTERELEVEN
Katherine perched on the window seat in her chamber. It had been almost two hours since the first fingers of light poked above the horizon and cast their thin illuminating presence over the windswept moors surrounding Castle Roxburghe. The window in her room did not afford her a view of the bailey where she supposed the gallows must be situated, for which she supposed she could be grateful. No such structure had been apparent when she arrived two days earlier, although in truth, she had not had much opportunity to look around. Surely, she would have noticed…
She supposed the bailey would be the obvious place. Justice must be seen to be done, and the public courtyard in front of the castle would afford all who cared to gather to witness the event a decent view of the gruesome proceedings.
It would be over by now.
She shuddered. Robbie was right, she supposed. The actions of those men had been monstrous. She had never been so terrified in her life and would surely have perished but for the swift actions of her betrothed and Stephen. She was lucky to be alive, no thanks at all to the Mullett brothers.
But she did not care to have their deaths on her conscience. Her wish to let them live might be irrational, and she would accept it was also unwise. She would continue to be exposed to their hatred, and next time they sought to vent their malice they might succeed.
But surely, if they got to know her, they would change their views. Given the chance, she could win this MacKinnon clan over. She was convinced of it and would do all in her power to make that happen.
But now, after this, they would all think her stupid, and selfish. And they would be right. She could see now how utterly reckless she had been. It had only been a short walk. Despite Mistress Hollett’s advice, she had never doubted that she would be perfectly safe walking alone in broad daylight, and she had preferred that option rather than approach the hostile-looking guards at the gate. She was accustomed to moving freely about the Elborne lands, visiting the villages, mingling with the people. She had assumed she would do the same here and had failed to take seriously the earl’s warning.
On reflection, she would acknowledge he had been clear enough. And he had been right.
He had also been right to leave her to reflect on the events of the previous day and her role in them. She did, now, accept her own culpability. It was a little more difficult to accept that she deserved to be punished, since the concept was quite alien to her. But she was getting there.
And he was being lenient. Six strokes was not a great deal. It would soon be over.
I hope you will manage to accept your just punishment like a grown woman, a countess, not a sulky child.
These had been his words to her, and Katherine was determined to not be a disappointment to him. Or at least, no more than she was already.
She had declined to join the rest of the household and break her fast in the hall. Aggie had brought her a tray up with bread, cheese, and fruit, but she had not managed more than a couple of mouthfuls for fear of hurling it all back up at the earl’s feet when the moment arrived. Perhaps later, when all of this was over…
It must be time. Katherine got to her feet and smoothed the skirts of her gown. There was no point in dragging this out, or, worse, obliging him to send for her.
She had been uncertain whether to dress this morning. Did one usually? If one was to be beaten by one’s husband?
It would make no difference, probably, since her skirts would offer little by way of protection.
She drew in a breath. “Aggie, I will be in the earl’s solar for the next little while. Perhaps you would wait for me here?”
“O’ course, m’lady.” The girl shifted from one foot to the other, flushing slightly. “I could… I mean, Elspeth told me that she has a salve which she swears is…helpful.”
“Helpful?” Katherine arched a brow.
“Soothing, m’lady,” Aggie clarified.
Dear God, do they all know?Is nothing private in this place?
Katherine resolved to try to endure what was to come with as little fuss as she could manage but still dreaded having to face the servants afterwards. She sighed again. “Thank you. I… I shall be sure to bear that in mind.” She left the chamber, willing her quivering knees not to let her down now.
The earl’s solar was situated a few paces along the hallway. She paused to tap on the door.
“Enter, Kat.”
At his summons she turned the knob and stepped inside.
