beginning.
Chapter Six
During the summer before his tenth birthday, Brice had been initiated into a Kinross family secret – the fact that there were hidden doorways and passages built into the thick walls of Rosyth House. His father had taken him on a tour one evening after everyone else went to bed and Brice still remembered the excitement of that night.
‘ You’re old enough to be trusted now,’ Killian told him, ‘but you must swear never to reveal this to a living soul unless you have to. One day, it could save your life or those of the people you love. But not if it’s common knowledge. Understand me?’
‘ Yes, Father.’
‘ I’ll tell Jamie too when he’s old enough, but no one else. It’s a secret only for boys as long as there’s an heir to carry on the name, although when you marry, you may tell your wife too.’
Having made his way back into the house unseen, Brice decided to make use of the hidden passages to try and glean some more information. Luck was with him and he found old Lord Rosyth’s book room, which was at the back of the house, deserted. In one corner, he pushed his finger into a small hole in the wainscoting and opened a secret door. A rush of stale air hit him, but he quickly stepped inside and closed the panel behind him.
I remembered correctly , he thought, although he’d never really doubted it. Killian had made him memorise every hidden door and the layout of the tunnels behind in minute detail. They’d spent hours criss-crossing the house until he could have done it blindfolded and he’d been exhausted by the time he fell into bed.
He made his way along the narrow space which seemed a lot smaller now he was an adult. Every so often he stopped to listen. There were tiny holes drilled through the walls at intervals in order to provide some air and also the chance to hear your enemies. On the side facing the outer walls of the house, there were grilles which gave some light. Not much, but enough for the tunnels to be navigated without the use of a torch if need be.
He was walking parallel to a corridor that led from the great hall to the kitchen stairs at the back of the house when he heard familiar voices.
‘ Marsaili, a word if you please.’ Colin Seton, Brice thought. There could be no mistaking those abrupt tones although the man was now speaking Gaelic rather than English.
‘ Yes?’
‘ Did you tell the Sassenach to stay in his room? We don’t want him wandering about, looking for the family heirlooms or some such fool’s errand.’
‘ He’d be wasting his time if he did, wouldn’t he. I didn’t exactly order him not to wander around, but last I saw, he was sitting on his bed so I’m assuming he’ll have a nap before supper.’
‘ Never assume anything with those whoresons. They can’t be trusted.’
The vehemence in the man’s voice startled Brice. He knew the English weren’t well liked, but this seemed personal somehow.
‘ Really, I don’t think one man is a danger to any of us. He seemed harmless enough.’
‘ Much you know about it. Well, serve him supper in his room. I’ll be damned if I’ll entertain him all evening.’
‘ As you wish.’
Seton’s voice changed timbre abruptly and he murmured, ‘Actually, I’d rather spend time with you. I hope you’ve given some thought to what I said?’
Brice thought he heard a sharp intake of breath and assumed Seton was taking liberties with the housekeeper. For some reason that bothered him, but he knew it was none of his business. It sounded as though they had an understanding, and she was obviously perfectly willing to help the man in treating their guests badly. It was clear the two were in agreement about that. Perhaps they were colluding in other ways too? Brice pitied the woman’s husband.
‘ Mr Seton –’ she protested, belated guilt perhaps rearing its head.
‘ Call me Colin, when we’re alone.’
Brice heard the proprietary note in the man’s voice and
Chapter Six
During the summer before his tenth birthday, Brice had been initiated into a Kinross family secret – the fact that there were hidden doorways and passages built into the thick walls of Rosyth House. His father had taken him on a tour one evening after everyone else went to bed and Brice still remembered the excitement of that night.
‘ You’re old enough to be trusted now,’ Killian told him, ‘but you must swear never to reveal this to a living soul unless you have to. One day, it could save your life or those of the people you love. But not if it’s common knowledge. Understand me?’
‘ Yes, Father.’
‘ I’ll tell Jamie too when he’s old enough, but no one else. It’s a secret only for boys as long as there’s an heir to carry on the name, although when you marry, you may tell your wife too.’
Having made his way back into the house unseen, Brice decided to make use of the hidden passages to try and glean some more information. Luck was with him and he found old Lord Rosyth’s book room, which was at the back of the house, deserted. In one corner, he pushed his finger into a small hole in the wainscoting and opened a secret door. A rush of stale air hit him, but he quickly stepped inside and closed the panel behind him.
I remembered correctly , he thought, although he’d never really doubted it. Killian had made him memorise every hidden door and the layout of the tunnels behind in minute detail. They’d spent hours criss-crossing the house until he could have done it blindfolded and he’d been exhausted by the time he fell into bed.
He made his way along the narrow space which seemed a lot smaller now he was an adult. Every so often he stopped to listen. There were tiny holes drilled through the walls at intervals in order to provide some air and also the chance to hear your enemies. On the side facing the outer walls of the house, there were grilles which gave some light. Not much, but enough for the tunnels to be navigated without the use of a torch if need be.
He was walking parallel to a corridor that led from the great hall to the kitchen stairs at the back of the house when he heard familiar voices.
‘ Marsaili, a word if you please.’ Colin Seton, Brice thought. There could be no mistaking those abrupt tones although the man was now speaking Gaelic rather than English.
‘ Yes?’
‘ Did you tell the Sassenach to stay in his room? We don’t want him wandering about, looking for the family heirlooms or some such fool’s errand.’
‘ He’d be wasting his time if he did, wouldn’t he. I didn’t exactly order him not to wander around, but last I saw, he was sitting on his bed so I’m assuming he’ll have a nap before supper.’
‘ Never assume anything with those whoresons. They can’t be trusted.’
The vehemence in the man’s voice startled Brice. He knew the English weren’t well liked, but this seemed personal somehow.
‘ Really, I don’t think one man is a danger to any of us. He seemed harmless enough.’
‘ Much you know about it. Well, serve him supper in his room. I’ll be damned if I’ll entertain him all evening.’
‘ As you wish.’
Seton’s voice changed timbre abruptly and he murmured, ‘Actually, I’d rather spend time with you. I hope you’ve given some thought to what I said?’
Brice thought he heard a sharp intake of breath and assumed Seton was taking liberties with the housekeeper. For some reason that bothered him, but he knew it was none of his business. It sounded as though they had an understanding, and she was obviously perfectly willing to help the man in treating their guests badly. It was clear the two were in agreement about that. Perhaps they were colluding in other ways too? Brice pitied the woman’s husband.
‘ Mr Seton –’ she protested, belated guilt perhaps rearing its head.
‘ Call me Colin, when we’re alone.’
Brice heard the proprietary note in the man’s voice and
Similar Books
