Page 13 of Undercover Infidel
“Were they?” Her eyes sparkled with genuine interest.
“Family legend says yes, but there’s never been definitive proof. My grandfather used to tell stories about secret chambers and escape tunnels built throughout the castle.” My eyes opened wide at the same time hers did. “I didn’t think about it until just now.”
She stopped walking. “Did he say how to access them?”
“Sadly, no, which was one reason I figured he was telling tales.” My mind raced, trying to remember anything else my grandfather might have said that I’d passed off as fanciful. “Would you like to see some of the older sections of the castle?”
“I’d love to.”
We circled back toward the main entrance, the temperature dropping as the sun dipped lower.
“Some of the original sections remain.”
“How fascinating,” she said, removing her gloves and tucking them into her coat pockets. “Thank you for these, by the way.”
“I credit Mrs. Thorne entirely. There are times I swear she’s a sorceress. As evidenced by her ability to pull together an entire wardrobe overnight.”
Lex stopped walking for the second time. “But…”
I turned to look at her. “What?”
“Nothing. I just thought…never mind. It’s not important. Many thanks to her and to you.”
My mouth gaped when I connected the dots. “Good God, you didn’t think they belonged to Fallon.”
“No!I swear that never entered my mind. I just thought maybe. I don’t know. You had women’s clothing on hand.”
I chuckled. “Just lying about? In your size?”
“When you put it that way, it was daft of me.”
“No, Lex, everything was chosen just for you.” We both froze when I—without thinking—wrapped my arm around her shoulders as I spoke. “Err, apologies,” I stammered, quickly dropping it and stepping away.
“It’s okay,” she said just above a whisper.
I cleared my throat. “So, had enough, or shall we carry on?”
Her smile returned. “Carry on, please.”
I guidedher through the Great Hall, with its soaring ceilings and ancient tapestries, past the formal dining room where generations of Carnegies had entertained royalty and dignitaries, and down a narrow corridor that led to the oldest part of the castle.
“Mind your head,” I warned as we descended a short flight of worn stone steps. The passageway narrowed, the ceiling dropping to a height that would have been comfortable six centuries ago, when people were considerably shorter.
“This section hasn’t been renovated?” Lex asked, running her fingers along the rough stone wall.
“Minimal interventions for structural stability and lighting. Otherwise, it’s as it was.”
We entered a small chamber with an even lower, vaulted ceiling. Empty sconces lined the walls, though modern lighting had been discreetly installed to illuminate the space.
“What was this room used for?” she asked, moving toward the far wall.
“Storage, primarily. Though during clan uprisings and conflicts, it served as a shelter.” I joined her where she stood, examining what had captured her attention. “What do you see?”
“The stonework is different here. See how the masonry shifts?” She traced the outline of what appeared to be a sealed archway. “This was an entrance to something once.”
I studied the wall with fresh eyes. She was right. The stones were set differently, suggesting an opening that had been deliberately filled in. “Could be a doorway that was sealed during renovations.”
“Or access to tunnels.”
