Free The Inheritance by Irina Shapiro Page A

will change.”
    “You think John will immediately declare for the Stuarts?”  She ’d heard rumors of another uprising, but nothing definite. 
    “Aye, he will.  He’s already written to His Majesty pledging support, but Alan doesn’t ken, or maybe he does and chooses to remain silent.  He is not long for this world and he kens it.  His son will do as he pleases once he’s gone.”
    “Will His Majesty really come?” she was shocked by the idea.  People had dream ed of the day the Stuarts would regain the throne, but it was a lovely dream, not something that could imminently happen.  Prince Charles had been trying in vain for years to gain support and raise money and troops.
    “He has the backing of the French king and a promise of ships and men.  If he can gather enough support in the Highlands, it just might come to pass, and soon.”  
    They were already at the castle walls , and Isobel was sorry to part company so soon.  Rory had given her something that no man ever had.  He’d spoken to her as an equal and trusted her to keep the information to herself.  She promised herself that she would be worthy of his trust and thanked him.
    “What are y e thanking me for?” his eyebrows rose in surprise.
    “For the respect y e’ve shown me, and the trust.  I willna’ betray it.”  With that, she trotted through the high arch of the wall and headed for the stables, Mary trailing behind her.  For the first time since coming to Kilmaron, she felt something resembling happiness, and she knew the danger of it full well.

Chapter 17
     
    By Christmas Eve, the castle was a beehive of activity.  The Great Hall was decorated with pine boughs, and hundreds of candles in silver candelabras were placed around the chamber.  The kitchens were humming as the servants roasted pigs and pheasants, and prepared numerous puddings that would be served at the Feast of Fools the next day. 
    Ronnie, the son of the cooper, was chosen to be the Abbot of Unreason for the third year in a row.  He was a favorite of the Laird , and his witty rhymes and outrageous pranks were on everyone’s tongue for days after the feast.  At seventeen, Ronnie missed very little of what went on at the castle, and his jabs always found their mark. 
    Alan had invited Father McDonald to come stay at the castle, since the church was not spacious enough to accommodate everyone , and the old man would hold Midnight Mass, and then another Christmas Mass, in the morning before the feast.  The priest didn’t lack for a sense of humor and looked forward to the festivities as much as anyone else, as well as to the never-ending flow of spirits that usually led to mass drunkenness and untold mischief.  
    Isobel had chosen a gown of deep violet to wear to the feast , and she proudly displayed her crystal necklace above the low-cut bodice.  She wore her hair up, as befitting a married woman, and John uncharacteristically offered to escort her into the Hall.  Alan was already there, sitting in his seat of honor.  He looked frail and ill, but his eyes were sparkling with merriment, and he was calling for more mead. 
    Isobel looked around the room.  The Hall practically glowed with the light of hundreds of candles , and the sconces on the walls cast flickering shadows on the assembled clansmen.  She saw Anna, in a lovely blue dress, walk in with her parents and siblings, and then Dougal came in supporting his elderly father.  Rory was among the last to arrive.  He was in his dress kilt and coat and looked dashing as he came up wishing them all a Happy Christmas, and then took his customary seat to the right of the Laird. 
    The servers began to bring out the food , and the Hall was filled with the mouthwatering smell of roasted meat and the yeasty smell of fresh bread.  Platters of vegetables accompanied the succulent piglets, and everyone tucked in with unrestrained enthusiasm, including the servants, who took their seats as soon as they