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we spent last night in a —an alehouse.”
    “Oh, how silly of me,” said Beth, giggling. Tina joined in the laughter, then finally Andrew, and all was forgiven.
    Down the hall the steward spoke up. “Mistress, would ye care tae attend the revels wi’ me?” he asked Ada hopefully.
    “Oh, I’m sorry, Jack, I already accepted Mr. Burque’s offer,” Ada said, casting a satisfied glance at Kirsty, for she knew the Scotswoman had lost her heart to the good-looking Frenchman.
    “Burque? Yon prancin’ cook? I thought ye’d be wantin’ a more sportive companion on such a nicht,” the steward derided.
    “Mr. Burque is a chef,” Ada corrected, “and you can take it from me,” she said, glancing from the steward to Kirsty, “he can be exceeding sportive.”
    At the other end of the hall Valentina was plotting her getaway and wanted to be certain everyone was occupied when she rode out. She addressed both Callum and Andrew Kennedy. “You’ll both be gone at sunup, I suppose? What are your plans for this evening?”
    The men exchanged glances, and Andrew temporized, “Well, we did think tae visit Glasgow again.”
    “Oh, that’s too bad. I thought perhaps you’d enjoy a stroll up on the ramparts to count the Beltane fires—unless there’s time before you leave?”
    Andrew spoke up “That’s exactly what I planned tae do as soon as we’ve finished here.”
    Callum scowled at him. “I’d like tae escort ye, Tina. It’s very dark up on the walls. A lady needs a strong arm, an’ I offer mine.”
    “You are both so gallant.” Tina smiled. “I cannot accept, but Beth would like your escort.”
    Both men knew they’d been outmaneuvered and bowed to Lady Beth. “It would be an honor, mistress.”
    Kirsty’s hand was at her throat as she saw Beth take both men by the arm. It was not customary for a maid to approach the head table in the great hall, but alarm made Kirsty ignore convention. “My lady, I will accompany ye, wherever it is ye wish tae go.”
    Tina looked the woman up and down coldly. “Don’t overstep your bounds, Kirsty. I’m mistress here at Doon at the moment. I don’t believe Lord Carrick would enjoy your forcing yourself upon him. I think perhaps the steward would be a better choice for you.”
    “But—but Beth has never been alone wi’ men,” she said angrily, as she watched her charge depart the hall.
    “Then it is high time,” Tina said. “There’s safety in numbers, Kirsty. Besides, I don’t really think little Beth will arouse their carnal appetites.”
    “Men don’t need much arousin’,” hissed Kirsty.
    “Really?” Tina drawled, raising questioning eyebrows. “You must tell me all you know about men—sometime when you have a moment.” Tina waved to Ada at the far end of the hall. It was her way of saying, “Don’t wait up for me!”
    Valentina had not ridden a mile’s distance from Doon when Heath met her. He was dressed in soft doeskin breeches and was astride an animal every bit as expensive as Kennedy horseflesh. She whistled her appreciation. “Where did that come from?”
    He grinned at her and laid a finger alongside his nose. “Ask no questions, sweeting. You wouldn’t want to know.”
    “Could you get me a black mare with Barbary blood?” she asked eagerly.
    “That’s a tall order,” he replied.
    “But not impossible?” she pressed.
    “No, sweetheart, not impossible,” he admitted.
    “Lovely! Where will we go tonight?”
    “Wherever you fancy. Lead on.” Before the words were out of his mouth, she was off on the wind. She had plaited her long copper hair into a thick braid that fell below her waist, and it soon began to unravel. Heath chuckled to himself and let her take the lead. She had a wildness in her blood, and he understood she needed this outlet.
    The River Ayr was in spate, and once they crossed over the brig, they began to climb out of the valley. The Beltane fires would not be lit on hilltops, for then they could be mistaken