Free Clandara by Evelyn Anthony Page A

you on your wedding day, no doubt.”
    James bowed to him. “No doubt. God go with you till then.” He moved over to take Katharine back to the Great Hall where they joined in one of the lively Fraser reels. His father and David Macdonald were standing where he had last seen them, both too drunk to speak to each other but still firmly on their legs. He made a mocking bow to his brother Hugh, who was talking to the gentle Fiona Mackintosh. He was leaning as close to her as he dared, and she was staring up at him, her large hazel eyes wide open as if she were being hypnotized by a snake. Hugh glanced at his brother and winked.
    â€œIf he seduces her tonight,” James said under his breath, “we’ll have the biggest clan war for a hundred years.”
    Katharine looked quickly over at them both and then away. For a moment she had found Hugh’s eyes fixed on her and there was something in them that made her shudder.
    There was a new light coming into the room, competing with the hundreds of candles, and it was the soft grey light of the coming dawn. As it turned from grey to palest pink, the first of Clandara’s guests began to leave, among them the Chief of Dundrenan and his three sons. They travelled fast over the rough tracks and moors and reached their own fortress home within three hours, tired and eager for a few hours’ sleep. But there was a strange horse tethered in Sir Alexander’s stables and a stranger waiting for them in the Great Hall, dozing in a chair by the open fire. There was no sleep for any of the Macdonalds that July day in 1745.
    Katharine was awoken early by the vigilant Annie. She stretched and turned over, settling deeper into her pillows, until the maid leant over the bed and shook her.
    â€œWake up, milady. It’s past seven.”
    â€œOh, Annie! I’m still half asleep. Go away!”
    â€œYe told me yesterday to wake you for we’re going to see this house at Kincarrig today. Wake up, milady!”
    â€œOf course!” Katharine sat up quickly. “I promised to take you with me. Dear Annie, I’m sure you’ll like it. James says it’s beautiful and he’s spent a fortune restoring it. Give me my robe and prepare some hot water.”
    â€œYour robe’s here,” said Annie, holding out the brocade dressing-gown, “and the hot water’s in your bath.”
    Katharine sang to herself as she washed and let Annie dry her and help her into her chemise and corselet. She dressed in a riding habit of blue cloth with a Scots bonnet in dark blue velvet, and held out her hand for her gloves.
    â€œThere’s a picnic to come with us,” Annie said. “I took the liberty of ordering some chicken and pasties and two bottles of wine. Angus says it’ll take us the best part of the day to ride there and back.”
    â€œJames is meeting us half-way,” Katharine reminded her. “Did you take him into consideration when you ordered the food?”
    â€œI did, milady. Mrs. Duncan showed me the parcels before she packed them. There’s more than enough for everyone.”
    â€œThank you,” Katharine said. “You are very good, Annie, when you’re not scolding and grumbling, and I really don’t know what I’d do without you.”
    Annie tied her cloak under her chin and pulled the plain bonnet over her sandy hair.
    â€œNo more do I,” she said. “Angus was told to bring the horses round at half past eight. I think I hear them now.”
    The Earl was not yet awake; Katharine sent a message to his steward telling him that she had gone without disturbing him and would be back that evening. There was no sign of Robert either. She walked very quickly past the Countess’s door and then suddenly, remembering her promise to James, she astounded Annie by turning back and knocking on it.
    â€œWho is there?” Margaret was up. No one even knew what time she rose. She had her