Page 29 of Kilty Until Proven Innocent
Eyeing the board, Brigit wasn’t so certain. “It must be difficult to playfromthe chessboard.”
Avaline was surrounded by the other pieces, unable to see the bigger picture.
“Yes, that is what I mean.” The Queen sounded downright evil. Then she raised her voice. “Are we all ready? Excellent. Lady Avaline, you have the first move.”
“Pawn E2 to E4.” A pause, then, “Mary! That is ye! Move two squares forward! Nay, no’ just the black ones, come back.”
Brigit hid her smirk, but the Queen wasn’t as polite. She immediately called out, “Pawn E7 to E5. Excellent.”
Avaline frowned as she twisted in place, trying to see the whole board. “Knight G1 to F3. Lady Sybil, pay attention, that is ye—nay, ye’re a knight! Ye remember how knights move?”
The game continued, with Avaline rallying her players and the Queen shooting off commands—and keeping her patience as her players became confused and wandered off. There was a bit of excitement when the first pawn was taken by a knight, and Millicent tried to use her wooden mace to defend herself.
“Oh dear, Sybil, I am certain the bleeding will stop. Millicent—do stop crying, girl—take her to the infirmary. Someone take Sybil’s spot—not you, Brigit.” The Queen took a hold of her elbow. “I need your advice.”
“For certes, Yer Majesty,” Brigit murmured, ducking her head. “Try King to E12.”
The monarch snorted. “That is not a thing. Clearly you do not play this game.”
Thinking of the dangerous games Brigithadplayed, she sighed. “Nay, no’ this one.”
“Queen D8 to E7,” the Queen called, then lowered her voice to speak only to Brigit. “You have not been yourself this last sennight. I would think you would be pleased, having exonerated your beau.”
Her beau. Is that what Drummond had been to her? Brigit hadn’t seen him—had purposefullyavoidedhim, these last seven days.
But ‘twas no use. Even without seeing him, she thought of him.
Thought of his strength and the way he’d held her, protected her.
Thought of his heart and the way he’d always cared so much about her pleasure and comfort.
Thought of his smile, his laughter. The way he looked at her when she tried to comforthim, as if she were a minor miracle.
And, despite everything, Brigit thought of the day they spent working together, trying to solve the mystery of the attempted assassin.
They’d meshed perfectly, each playing off the other’s strengths, each complementing the other. It had been nice to have a partner she could trust so easily.
Until she broke that trust.
Mayhap she’d made a sound, because the Queen turned from calling a move to pat Brigit’s arm. “You are unhappy with the way things turned out?”
“Nay, Yer Majesty. I just wish…”
The older woman hummed. “You feel conflicted about your role in his exoneration?”
Taking a deep breath, Brigit decided to tell her friend the truth. “Drum is…he doesnae trust easily. He was beginning to trust me, and I can admit that we worked well together. In such a short time, we were able to discover so much, and his mind is as sharp as Ava’s. But…”
“But?” the Queen asked, then called, “Knight G8 to F6.”
“But,” Brigit continued with a sigh, “he only worked with me because…” How to explain? “In the past, a woman he trusted betrayed him. She manipulated him, and because of that, he’s refused to work with women on his missions—I have heard stories from his Hunters about his warnings.”
“Ah, and because he worked with you, you believe he trusted you?” The Queen raised her voice in exasperation. “Ladies! Chess is asubstitutefor warfare! Do cease slapping each other with those silly wooden maces—no, only the knights may use the swords, Madeline!”
As the match devolved to a bit of a scuffle, Avaline hoisted up her skirt and waded into the fray. Brigit and the Queen watched—one despaired, one amused.
“I am not certain this game is the best idea for the ladies of the court,” she said.
Brigithuffed. “Where else are they going to get out their petty differences—och, that was a nice shot. Lady MacDonald will be seeing stars for a while.”
