‘Will any of you ladies and gentlemen join in? Can I prevail upon you?’
They laughed and shook their heads. Hamish shrugged and looked at Ashlynn.
‘How about you, my lady?’
She laughed. ‘Why not?’ She glanced at her brother. ‘Ban?’
He returned the grin and nodded. ‘Why not indeed?’
A cheer went up as they crossed the room to join the children. Hamish turned to Iain.
‘And you, my lord?’
Iain grinned. ‘How could I refuse?’
His words were greeted first with looks of surprise and then an even louder cheer. Ashlynn watched as he quit the group of adults and came over.
Hamish called the group to order. ‘Very well. Lady Ashlynn, Lord Ban, you are the foxes in this first round. You have till the count of a hundred to find somewhere to hide. One…two…’
They exchanged startled looks and departed for the stairs with alacrity. Once out in the corridor they paused.
‘We need to split up,’ he said. ‘I’m making for the storerooms. You?’
‘Upstairs,’ she replied.
‘Good luck.’
With that he took off, heading swiftly down the staircase. Ashlynn grinned and then fled for her own chosen sanctuary.
Back in the hall Iain waited through the count. When at last it was complete he left with the others, watching as the children scattered. It was in his mind that none but he should find his wife. He moved into the passageway and up the first flight of stairs, feigning to look in different places on the way, but ever heading away from the rest, moving towards the top of the tower for he knew with near certainty where she would be.
* * *
Ashlynn smiled to herself, well satisfied with her hiding place. Although the roof terrace itself offered no hiding place the recess in the adjoining wall of the tower served the purpose. Located behind the door it was out of the line of vision and anyone taking a cursory glance at the terrace would easily miss it. She wrapped her cloak more closely about her though in truth she was not cold for the marten fur was snug and the chill air against her face was invigorating. Luckily it had stopped raining for the time though the clouds held promise of more.
Suddenly she caught the sound of voices in the near distance and she drew in a sharp breath, shrinking back against the stonework. A few moments later she heard someone open the door that gave on the roof. Then she heard Donald’s voice.
‘No, there’s no one here. Let us try below.’
Another male replied in the affirmative and the door closed. Ashlynn grinned. The chances were good now that she would not be caught at all. That was something of a relief for Hamish would certainly think of some dastardly forfeit. At times that young man’s imagination took a distinctly wicked turn. She was recalling some of the more recent examples when she heard the door open again. This time there were no voices, only the sound of footsteps, unhurried and deliberate and heading in her direction. Her heart leapt, knowing before she saw him who it would be. A moment later she was face to face with her husband.
‘My lady.’
He smiled then, a mischievous expression that told more clearly than words his discovery of her had been no mere chance. Ashlynn returned the smile, eyeing him speculatively.
‘You knew from the first where to find me, didn’t you?’
‘Let’s just say I had a pretty good idea.’
‘I had not thought to be so transparent.’
‘It’s usually a mistake,’ he agreed. ‘It gives your opponent the advantage.’
The expression in those dark eyes was enough to stir deep misgivings and she stayed where she was. He surveyed her with amusement.
‘You cannot escape, Ashlynn. Besides, it’s very unsporting to try.’
She grinned. ‘It’s very unsporting to cheat, villain.’
‘No cheating; just a thorough knowledge of the ground and the quarry.’ He nodded towards the recess. ‘Ordinarily that’s a very good hiding place. I have used it myself before now.’
The easy conversational tone didn’t deceive her for a minute. However, she was powerless to escape her fate and mentally resigned herself.
‘Come, my lady.’
Iain took hold of her wrist in a grip that, though it caused no discomfort, was as inflexible as steel. Then he drew her back inside and shut the door.
‘Did you and Hamish collude over this?’ she demanded.
‘Hamish is completely innocent.’
‘That’s unusual for him. Even so I dread to think what forfeit he will dream up.’
‘Hamish is not exacting this forfeit. I am.’
For a moment she could only stare at him. ‘You?’
‘That’s right.’
As the implications dawned Ashlynn glanced around. The passageway was quite deserted and, in spite of the torches, dimly lit for the afternoon light was fading. Her heart began to beat a little faster.