Page 54 of Kilty Until Proven Innocent
“More ale already?” bellowed Barclay happily, but Payton smacked his shoulder.
“Larry is the butler, no’ a servant.”
“I thought he wasnae the seneschal any longer,” Craig asked, confused.
But Drum had met the old man’s gaze. “He’s no’. Now he and his wife have their own estate and heoccasionally delivers messages for the Queen. Aye, Lawrence?”
“Just so, Sir Hunter,” the old man said with a formal bow and a twinkle in his eyes. “The wife hates it when I’m away.”
“And howisthe Lady Avaline settling into married life, Lawrence?”
The old man straightened, cleared his throat and settled his shoulders. “She claims to hate it, Sir Hunter, but I ken that isnae true. I’ve learned the trick is to allow her complete control over the estate. It allows her to feel powerful, which is how she thrives.”
Drum nodded. “Impressive. Ye ken what they say…”
Drummond, Barclay, Payton and Craig all chorused, “Happy wife, happy life.”
Smiling, Lawrence stepped forward with the tray. “And I shall be returning to her in the morning. First though, a message, Sir Hunter.”
Drum’s brows rose as he reached for the scroll. A message from the Queen? Nay…
Barclay read over his shoulder. “When my garden blooms, the true colors emerge, showcasing love, light, and scent. First plant seeds gently one by one, placing to the right depth. Bed the soil carefully, gets roots to grow. Prize each bloom.”
“Ye’re getting gardening advice now?” rumbled Craig.
Payton’s head was tipped back against his chair, eyes closed. “Must be important gardening advice, considering how late it is.”
Barclay hummed. “Bed the soil carefully, gets roots to grow? That’s no’ good gardening advice. That’s no’ even good grammar.”
But Drum was already counting. He handed his ale to Lawrence. “Take my seat, auld friend, and dinnae let Barclay teach ye to play; he cheats.”
“What?” Craig blurted. “Where are ye going?”
Grinning, Drum waved the scroll. “’Tis an Angel code, every fourth word being important.”
Barclay snatched it from him and began counting. “When…the…showcasing…scent…Gently…placing…depth…carefully—Christ, Drum, this makes nae sense!”
“Nay, that does no’,” Drum agreed with a grin, pushing himself to his feet.
Craig pulled the scroll from Barclay. “Try the next word. My…true…love…first…one…to…bed…gets…prize.”
From where he rested, Payton snorted. “Well,thatmessage is unmistakable.”
Drum was already out the door when the laughter began behind him.
Bridget held her breath,balancing carefully against the wall. Her bare toes were dug into cracks between the stones, and her palms were braced against the tapestries.
Waiting.
She wore only her shift, having stripped out of her favorite purple gown and arranged it on the bed as a distraction. It had worked once, many years ago, when she’d been sent to find evidence against a cardinal. Tonight, it would work again.
Heavy footsteps in the corridor, ones she recognized. Moving quickly. Likely excited.
She gathered herself to spring, heart already pounding in excitement.
The door opened, and from her place behind it, Brigit leaned forward.
When Drum stepped into their chambers, his eyes immediately went to the gown on the bed, and he stepped toward it. “Brigit—”
