The Empire and the Wolf King (Kaitlyn and the Highlander #21)

29. Chapter 29 - Archibald

CHAPTER 29 - ARCHIBALD

OAKHURST INN - CHARLOTTESVILLE - 1775

T he maid returned. I led her and Master Taylor away from the door, and whispered, “Did ye see, was he armed?”

“Yes, sire! Oh, it was terribly frightening.”

“What did he ask for?”

“Whisky, sire, he wanted…” Her hand shook as she pushed a strand of hair from her face. I heard a loud voice from out in the dining room, Da and Asgall were arguing.

Master Taylor said, “I will get it, we have a bottle in the kitchen?—”

He turned to go but I tugged his sleeve. “Quick, will ye allow me tae put a sleeping potion in the whisky?”

The maid’s eyes went wide, she grabbed my arm. “No, sire, you cannot! We would be in trouble!”

“Nae, nae I promise?—”

Master Taylor said, “ I will do it, Mary, I will deliver it, now hush.”

I nodded. “Ye just put it on the table, twill be my fault, I will take the trouble.” I could see from his expression he understood, it wasna simply a sleeping solution.

A shadow passed outside. I stepped further into the dark overhang of the steps. “We must go quickly.”

Master Taylor and the maid rushed tae the kitchen as there was a loud gunshot from the dining room. Och nae!

I peered out — Ma was on the ground, she had been shot. Nae, nae!

Asgall had his gun trained on Da.

Master Taylor put his head out, recognizing the sound of gunfire. He nodded to me.

My breathing was heavy, I nodded in reply. “Aye.”

Master Taylor ducked back intae the kitchen, and I wondered if he would come out again. I desperately needed his help. I wanted tae fight Asgall, but if I rushed out there he would shoot Da, he would likely shoot me. And then there was the issue of the guards.

The poison was my only chance. I really needed Master Taylor to deliver it.

Then I would shoot the guards, there was a chance of losin’ my life in the act of it, but as long as Asgall was dead it wouldna matter what happened tae me.

I heard the clinking of glassware in the kitchen.

He was goin’ tae help.

I dug through my bag for the small box and fumbled it open and pulled out the tiny vial. It contained four small round pellet pills. I pulled the cork from the top.

Master Taylor came out with a tray and three copper shot glasses. The maid was frightened but curious, peering out from the pantry where the liquor was kept.

His eyes straight ahead, resolute, Master Taylor paused, and I poured three of the pills intae the nearest shot glass. The pellets fizzed briefly then dissolved.

I pulled that glass over tae separate it from the others. “Come right back.”

I worried for a moment that he was shakin’ too much tae keep it from spilling. He briefly bowed, took a deep breath, and then headed tae the table.

I watched him nervously as he glanced down at Ma lying on the carpet, nae one deliverin’ her aid.

He placed the shot glasses on the table, putting the poisoned one in front of Asgall.

There was a movement at his feet. Ma was tryin’ tae sit up, she looked dazed and there was blood, wettin’ her skirts. She shook her head tae clear it and woozily swayed as if she meant tae return tae her chair.

But then she glanced over and it seemed as if she could see me in the shadows. I shook my head, willing her tae lay back down, go quiet, daena interfere.

She collapsed ontae the carpet. I would hae worried when she became so still but I saw her fold her hands tae pray.