Page 83 of A Sinful Night with a Scot
Seeing the determination in her eyes, Keane huffed. “Fine. But ye have tae stay out o’ danger, me love. Please. Promise me that. Nae more running intae battle. I told ye. I cannae lose ye. Even more so now.”
He had a point, and given all they had explored that evening, she knew his plea was from a place of love. While the idea of him going into battle without her terrified her, she could do little but abide by his request. Still, she wasn’t going to go and hide. If she couldn’t fight, there had to be another way she could help.
“I will go and gather the women and children. I am the lady o’ the castle. It is me duty tae lead them.”
Even that suggestion worried him but he had no time to argue and they both knew it. He ought to be out there already.
“Fine,” he said, as they both turned and ran to the door together. “Find them, and then hide in the Great Hall.”
Once in the corridor, they passed people flying by them at great speed. Panicked soldiers, as well as terrified maids and servants ran in different directions.
Keane and Elsie continued on down the corridor in the direction of the great hall, where everyone normally gathered for safety.
As they arrived at the large double doors, Alisdair, Owen and Iseabail arrived at the same time.
“Is everyone all right?” Keane panted, looking directly at Iseabail.
“We’re fine, Keane,” Iseabail replied. “We were just heading out.”
But Keane shook his head. “Nay. Ye’re nae going out there. I need ye tae help Elsie. She’s going tae lead the women and children intae hiding.”
For a second, Iseabail hesitated, looking from Keane to Elsie and back again. It was clear, just like Elsie, that she wanted to be out there in the battle beside her husband. And from the stories Elsie had heard from Iseabail, Keane’s sister was no stranger to battle.
“Please, Iseabail,” Keane pressed. “I ken what ye’re thinking, but Elsie needs yer help. She cannae dae it alone.”
That was an outright lie, and by Iseabail’s expression, she knew it. Instead of arguing, however, she dropped her shoulders and relented.
“Fine. But when we’ve got everyone safe, and if the battle is still ongoing, I’m going out there, and ye willnae be here tae stop me.”
“Iseabail,” Owen barked. “We’re wasting time.”
She then moved from her husband’s side and joined Elsie. Only then did both Owen and Keane nod with satisfaction.
“Get everyone tae safety,” Keane said to them both.
Elsie and Iseabail nodded, and Iseabail turned into the great hall. Elsie lingered for just a second, watching Keane turn to the other two. “We need tae rally the men.”
“They’re already out there,” Alisdair replied.
“Good. Then we need tae move.”
Just as he was about to venture forth, he threw a final worried glance toward Elsie, and then, he was gone.
The great hall was a mass of panic, with wailing children and worried women. People were running in all directions. It was chaos.
How am I supposed tae calm these people?
Elsie looked about her, wondering where she ought to start. Realizing she first had to get their attention, she hurried towards the front of the hall. Climbing onto the platform where the top table stood, she called out.
“Listen tae me,” she cried. “Listen tae me.”
It took several more attempts, before she managed to get everyone’s attention. Though the children still cried, and the women still sniffled, they finally stopped in their panic and looked up at her.
“All right,” Elsie said as calmly as she could. “We need tae work together.” Pointing to the front of the hall, she continued. “We are going tae calmly and quietly head tae the door that leads tae the kitchens. Gather those who are with ye, and follow Lady Iseabail.”
Automatically, she pointed to her companion who was standing in front of them. Not that she needed to do so. Everyone knew the laird’s sister. Small nods came from the women. Given they now had instructions, the panic faded. In its place, their faces expressed relief that there was now some direction.
“All right. Let us begin tae move.”
