Page 84 of A Sinful Night with a Scot
Elsie climbed off the platform again, and reached Iseabail.
“Ye lead them downstairs. I will remain here and wait fer the others. There are maids and servants still gathering people.”
Iseabail nodded. “Dinnae linger, Elsie. As soon as everyone is here, hurry down and join us.”
“I will,” Elsie nodded.
Slowly, the women with their children and some servants formed an orderly line. After that, they began following Iseabail as she led them through the door. Beyond it was a staircase that led down to the kitchens. It was likely the safest place for them to be. It was underground, and thus, they would be hidden from any attacks from above, like arrows and fire. Also, hopefully, the invaders would start by going upstairs and searching bedchambers.
Standing by the women as they went, she smiled and nodded, offering words of comfort.
“All will be well.”
As they continued, more servants and maids arrived with those they had found. They joined the others, and slowly the line lessened as the minutes passed. Several minutes later, a panicked looking Anna ran into the great hall.
“Och, me lady. I am glad ye are safe.”
“I am, Anna. Now, go and join the others.”
“I cannae,” the young maid shook her head. “I cannae find Edward.”
Elsie frowned. “Yer braither?”
“Aye, me lady,” Anna exclaimed. “I have looked fer him everywhere.”
“He might be outside in the battle. We have tae go, Anna.”
“Nay.” Anna shook her head. “Ye dinnae understand. He’s only a boy. He’d ken nae tae go outside.”
Elsie thought for a minute. She then pressed her hand onto Anna’s shoulder. “Then he may be down in the kitchens already. Ye go with the others and look fer him there. I will go back through the castle and see if I can find him.”
“But, me lady…”
“Go, Anna,” Elsie said determinedly. “He’s likely already down there. I willnae be long. I promise. Now, hurry.”
With her face full of doubt and worry, Anna hesitated, not wanting to leave her side. Everyone else had gone now. It was only Elsie and Anna left in the great hall.
“Go,” Elsie repeated firmly.
Only then, did her maid run towards the door.
Once Anna had disappeared, Elsie ran out of the great hall and began her search. The boy was likely already safe, but she had promised Anna she would look, and so she must.
Running up the wide staircase, she headed to the bedchambers first. She would work from upstairs down, and thus be nearer the great hall when her search was finished. Hurrying through the corridor, she flung door after door open, calling Edward’s name. As it happened, she found two or three others hiding in the bedchambers. Once by her side, she instructed them to get down to the kitchens immediately.
On she went, calling out Edward’s name, but to no avail. When she was certain he was not upstairs, Elsie hurried back down to the main floor. She checked Keane’s study, the library, and the family dining room, but he was nowhere to be found. While shecould hear the battle going on outside, the yells and screams of men, and clanging of swords, inside the castle felt eerily quiet.
Now determined Edward was safely down in the kitchens, Elsie flew back out into the corridor and ran straight into the chest of a soldier.
“Och, God,” she gasped, wondering why any of the men would be inside of the castle. But a second later, she realized the soldier was not in fact, one of Keane’s men at all.
“Och, look who I’ve found,” the man said, grabbing Elsie’s arm so tightly that she cried out in pain.
He was not alone. There were three others with him. But how had they gotten into the castle if it had not been announced that the gates had been breached?
“The laird will be pleased. Come on. We’ve got what we came for. Let’s get out o’ here while they’re distracted fighting.”
“Get off me,” Elsie screamed. “Keane! Keane!”
