Free The Inscription by Pam Binder Page B

he’d been standing there.
    “I would have thought your explorations under the castle would have satisfied you for the night, but as it happens, I am glad they did not.” He nodded in the direction Elaenor had gone. “There are not many in the castle who would befriend her. Few can understand a woman’s interest in learning.”
    “Probably because she knows more than they do, and that’s intimidating.” Amber could hear Elaenor rummaging around in the pantry. She motioned for Lachlan to follow her.
    He ducked under the doorway and inspected the burnt pastry. Leaning over, he broke a piece off and popped it into his mouth. As he spoke, his voice seemed to reach the four corners of the kitchen. “Delicious. A sweet fit for the gods.”
    Out of the corner of her eye Amber saw Elaenor emerge from the pantry, carrying a sack of flour. A smile covered the young woman’s face. For all his gruffness Lachlan clearly had a soft spot for his younger sister.
    “Do you really think it is good? It looks and smells terrible.”
    Lachlan reached for another chunk. “Looks do not always tell the full story. I know of none better in the Highlands.”
    Amber watched the two of them. She’d seen Lachlan walk around the castle with his emotionless mask firmly in place, but he was a marshmallow when it came to his family. She doubted whether he even realized how much they meant to him. He was too busy being everyone’s protector. She suddenly thought of her brother, David. He was going to Washington State University and was not any better than she at keeping in touch. She remembered when she’d made cookies for them to eat at teatime. Her dog wouldn’t touch them, but David ate every last one. Of course, the next day he cut off one of her braids while she slept. Amber felt tears form in her eyes. She was going to miss David.
    A crash announced Angus’ arrival as he stumbled into the room. “May the gods take that blasted cat of Lady Elaenor’s. It tripped me.”
    Lachlan folded his arms across his chest. “More likely it was your own feet that caused you to lose your balance. It appears the whole castle is awake.”
    Angus tugged at his beard. “I have word of Subedei.”
    Amber noticed Lachlan’s instant change in mood. He grabbed the remaining shortbread and motioned for Angus to follow him. At the entrance he paused and turned around. He looked as though he wanted to say something, but instead he nodded and then was gone. Amber watched him leave. The impenetrable wall built around his emotions was an illusion. She wondered what he would be like without his barriers.
    Elaenor tugged on her sleeve. “Please, would you help me to clean up the cookroom?”
    Amber followed Elaenor’s gaze. It was lighter outside. In a few hours the kitchen would be in full swing. “Let’s get to work.”
    Una came through the door from the courtyard, carrying pails of steaming milk. She seemed to ignore the mess as she set the buckets on the table. “I see that you have made another batch of shortbread for your brother.”
    Elaenor smiled. “He said it was ‘fit for the gods.’ ”
    Una turned and winked at Amber. “
    “Us sure I am the lad said as much and more.”
    Amber watched as Una brought order back to the kitchen. She was surprised that everyone had accepted her as though she were a distant relative who’d come for a visit. They’d welcomed her, offered their protection, been kind to her, and brought her into their confidence. She wanted to believe there were people like this in the world. Certainly Aunt Dora would have done the same if a stranger had washed up on her doorstep. But what would happen if they found out she was from the future?
    She remembered reading about the Salem witch trials in school. Beginning with accusations against ten young women, nineteen had been hanged and one pressed to death before the governor stopped the hysteria. An outbreak of disease, or the death of a child, would result in a town looking