overheard, Kevin whispered, then glanced around.
With her lips curled in disgust, Moireach led him through the foyer to the courtyard. Now, pray tell, how were ye duped?
Ye willna breathe a word of this, will ye?
Tell me quickly, Moireach threatened, or Ill sharpen my butcherin knife on yer hide.
Twas Lady Antonia! Kevin blurted, then continued in a rush. She told me to kill the chickens and blame the fox. I didna want to do it, but she said shed have me sent away. Please, ye must believe me.
I believe ye.
If Lord Iain learns the truth, Kevin moaned, Ill be sent away. Or worse.
The truth willna rectify matters now and will only cause more strife in the family, Moireach said. Let me think. She paced back and forth in front of Kevin like a general. Ive an idea, but nae faith ye could carry it off. Wait here while I fetch my Jamie.
Jamie? Kevin gulped nervously. The man was fierce with a sword.
My son has a fondness for Lady Brigettes tirewoman and will do my biddin.
A few minutes later, Moireach returned with Jamie and Spring. Kevin, lad, tell Jamie yer tale.
Lady Antonia ordered me to kill the chickens and blame the fox. She threatened to dismiss me if I didna do it.
Damn, Jamie cursed.
Double damn, Spring echoed.
Ive a scheme to help set thins aright, Moireach said. Will ye help yer sweet mother, laddie?
Jamie grinned. Need ye ask such a foolish question?
Moireach smiled. Ye must kill a fox, then bring the puir thin back here. Kevin will take it to Lord Iain and say its the fox that killed the chickens. Can ye do it?
Yes.
Ye must be verra careful, she cautioned. Slys wearin a yellow collar, so avoidin him shouldna be too difficult.
Killing another fox, Spring commented, will not return Sly to Brigette.
Yer correct, Moireach agreed, but it could begin mendin thins between them.
It wont change the fact that Lord Iain abused her.
Twas his right, Jamie interjected hotly. She defied her husband and got exactly what she deserved!
Oh! Spring was aghast at his words. Her lips tightened whitely in anger.
Silence! Moireach ordered. Arguin amongst ourselves willna help the laird and his lady. What do ye think of the plan, Spring?
Well, she relented, it cannot cause harm, and there is a small chance it could help.
Its settled, then, Moireach said. Jamie, get yerself on this in the mornin.
The next week passed wretchedly for the lord and his lady. The fox conspirators were none too happy either. Apparently, killing a fox was more difficult than they had assumed. The only truly happy person at Dunridge was Lady Antonia. Her mood and temper improved by leaps and bounds each day that Iain and Brigette remained estranged. And estranged they were.
When his anger faded, Iain sought a reconciliation with his wife. Unfortunately, Brigette had other ideas and coldly rebuffed his overtures of renewed friendship. Unused to resisting women, Iain became frustrated, especially disliking this new experience of being rejected. Brigette could not, however, be faulted for disobedience.
No disobedience there, Iain thought more than once. My wife obeys my smallest command and places my merest whim above her own comfort. In fact, she treated him with a frigid politeness that was beginning to grate on his nerves, not to mention his pride. Being near Brigette was like being stranded in the midst of a Highland blizzard.
One morning, Iain happened to pass Brigette in the courtyard and asked her to stop.
Yes, my lord?
Would ye care to ride wi me today, hinny? he asked with a hopeful smile.
No, thank you, she refused, but quickly added, If you insist, I shall naturally obey.
Iains expression dropped in obvious disappointment. It was an invitation.
In that case, please excuse me. With that, Brigette walked away, leaving him in misery.
The MacArthur brothers passed through the garden one afternoon during Glendas playtime. Merry laughter and wild scamperings had vanished from these sessions as assuredly as Sly had vanished from
With her lips curled in disgust, Moireach led him through the foyer to the courtyard. Now, pray tell, how were ye duped?
Ye willna breathe a word of this, will ye?
Tell me quickly, Moireach threatened, or Ill sharpen my butcherin knife on yer hide.
Twas Lady Antonia! Kevin blurted, then continued in a rush. She told me to kill the chickens and blame the fox. I didna want to do it, but she said shed have me sent away. Please, ye must believe me.
I believe ye.
If Lord Iain learns the truth, Kevin moaned, Ill be sent away. Or worse.
The truth willna rectify matters now and will only cause more strife in the family, Moireach said. Let me think. She paced back and forth in front of Kevin like a general. Ive an idea, but nae faith ye could carry it off. Wait here while I fetch my Jamie.
Jamie? Kevin gulped nervously. The man was fierce with a sword.
My son has a fondness for Lady Brigettes tirewoman and will do my biddin.
A few minutes later, Moireach returned with Jamie and Spring. Kevin, lad, tell Jamie yer tale.
Lady Antonia ordered me to kill the chickens and blame the fox. She threatened to dismiss me if I didna do it.
Damn, Jamie cursed.
Double damn, Spring echoed.
Ive a scheme to help set thins aright, Moireach said. Will ye help yer sweet mother, laddie?
Jamie grinned. Need ye ask such a foolish question?
Moireach smiled. Ye must kill a fox, then bring the puir thin back here. Kevin will take it to Lord Iain and say its the fox that killed the chickens. Can ye do it?
Yes.
Ye must be verra careful, she cautioned. Slys wearin a yellow collar, so avoidin him shouldna be too difficult.
Killing another fox, Spring commented, will not return Sly to Brigette.
Yer correct, Moireach agreed, but it could begin mendin thins between them.
It wont change the fact that Lord Iain abused her.
Twas his right, Jamie interjected hotly. She defied her husband and got exactly what she deserved!
Oh! Spring was aghast at his words. Her lips tightened whitely in anger.
Silence! Moireach ordered. Arguin amongst ourselves willna help the laird and his lady. What do ye think of the plan, Spring?
Well, she relented, it cannot cause harm, and there is a small chance it could help.
Its settled, then, Moireach said. Jamie, get yerself on this in the mornin.
The next week passed wretchedly for the lord and his lady. The fox conspirators were none too happy either. Apparently, killing a fox was more difficult than they had assumed. The only truly happy person at Dunridge was Lady Antonia. Her mood and temper improved by leaps and bounds each day that Iain and Brigette remained estranged. And estranged they were.
When his anger faded, Iain sought a reconciliation with his wife. Unfortunately, Brigette had other ideas and coldly rebuffed his overtures of renewed friendship. Unused to resisting women, Iain became frustrated, especially disliking this new experience of being rejected. Brigette could not, however, be faulted for disobedience.
No disobedience there, Iain thought more than once. My wife obeys my smallest command and places my merest whim above her own comfort. In fact, she treated him with a frigid politeness that was beginning to grate on his nerves, not to mention his pride. Being near Brigette was like being stranded in the midst of a Highland blizzard.
One morning, Iain happened to pass Brigette in the courtyard and asked her to stop.
Yes, my lord?
Would ye care to ride wi me today, hinny? he asked with a hopeful smile.
No, thank you, she refused, but quickly added, If you insist, I shall naturally obey.
Iains expression dropped in obvious disappointment. It was an invitation.
In that case, please excuse me. With that, Brigette walked away, leaving him in misery.
The MacArthur brothers passed through the garden one afternoon during Glendas playtime. Merry laughter and wild scamperings had vanished from these sessions as assuredly as Sly had vanished from
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