Midnight Runner: A Novel

by Marilee Jackson

  “I would love to stay and visit with you some more, boys, but we have to be going now. We need to get ready for the festivities tomorrow, you know.” Lord Niall patted each boy’s head and left them to tend to the horses.

  “This way to the kitchen,” he said, pointing. “I think we should use the servant’s stairs and entrances. Lady Nuala will be with the other ladies right now.” He pushed open the heavy door. The kitchen was alive with preparations for the evening feast. No one noticed them slip in, and they were almost to the staircase when one of the servants called to them.

  “Do you need something?”

  “Ceana! Did ya jest address a royal without being spoken to first?” Ms. Wilson bellowed from her spot at the stove. “Ya wanna find yerself out on yer arse?”

  “No, ma’am.” Ceana dropped her eyes and flushed bright red.

  “Ms. Wilson, I’m so sorry.” Lord Niall tried to get out of the kitchen. “I need a couple more rooms for my servants.”

  “Well . . . I guess we can give ya anothern,” she said, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

  “Thank you, my dear woman.” Lord Niall bowed slightly and glanced at Ceana, who started up the stairs. “Now, if you’ll excuse my servants and me.” He gestured to Brian and Blane. “We need to prepare for dinner. They’ve been riding all day to get here.”

  Brian and Blane quickly followed Lord Niall up the stairs. When they finally reached Niall’s sleeping quarters without incident, they relaxed and sat down.

  “That was fairly easy,” Brian said from a wooden rocking chair under the window.

  “It may be easier to escape with Isobail if I know the castle better. Perhaps I should take a look around.” Blane was studying the courtyard from the slit of a window. “I don’t want to get caught because I got lost.”

  “That isn’t a bad idea,” Brian agreed. “Maybe we should both take a look around.”

  * * *

  The next morning the castle was empty, with all of the men taking part in the boar hunt. Brian and Blane wandered the castle and its surrounding grounds. They became familiar with the servants’ areas, the narrow hidden passageways, and any interesting hiding places. Certain they knew the grounds well enough, they returned to Lord Niall’s bedchamber to rest until the evening festivities.

  33

  Lord Niall joined the revelers in the castle courtyard. To his great surprise, Lady Nuala was sitting with the other women.

  “M’lady, are you ill?” he asked with mock concern.

  “Heavens no. Why on earth would you think so?” She narrowed her eyes at him.

  “Well, you never bothered to come and cheer for our father all the years that he participated in the hunting. I just assumed that something must be wrong with you if you have decided to grace us with your presence,” he shot back at her. When she didn’t respond he added, “Well, that is a first. Lady Nuala is speechless. Isobail, lovely to see you again.” He glanced at Isobail before quickly turning and heading back to the castle.

  When he reached his room, Lord Niall found Brian sound asleep on the bed and Blane staring intently out the window.

  “How did it go?” Blane didn’t even turn from the window.

  “It went well. The beast was killed without human casualty, only a few cuts and bruises. I’d say that was a very good hunt.”

  “Good.”

  “Are you all right? Did you get a chance to explore the castle?”

  “Yes.” Blane finally faced Niall. “We wandered the castle unhindered all morning. I’m just anxious to get this over with and get Iso safely home.” A sad smile touched Blane’s lips.

  “I’m ready for it to all be over too. I just saw Isobail. She looks good, if that makes you feel better.” Niall gave him a half smile back.

  “Thanks.”

  Brian sat up from his spot on the bed. “Sorry, I didn’t intend to fall asleep. Here, Ceana brought these while you were out.” He gestured to the crate of masks on the floor by the bed. “She said the queen has provided everyone with several masks to choose from.”

  Niall picked the crate up and set it on the bed. “Look through the pile and try to find some that will cover as much of your faces as possible so Lady Nuala and Isobail won’t recognize you and blow our plan. I need to wash and change my clothes so I don’t smell like the boar at dinner.”

  When Lord Conell was finished dressing, it didn’t take him long to find a mask that he thought was a perfect match for the occasion. His mask had a black pirate hat decorated with gold trim and an attached skeletal face that reminded him of depictions he had seen of death. Brian chose a white mask with three gold painted faces all showing a different emotion. Blane’s mask covered his face and most of his hair. It was a jester trimmed in an elegant gold braid and twisted rope. The top of the mask was covered with purple-and-gold embossed velvet, and each point had a small brass bell.

  * * *

  “No.” Lady Nuala giggled. “That one is awful. Let’s look through the other ones.” Lady Nuala motioned to the stack of masks sitting on her bed. Isobail sighed inwardly as she turned to get another mask for Lady Nuala to try on. “I need to find just the right one. I have to look my best. It’s not every day I get to have fun with the king and queen.”

  “Yes, my lady,” Isobail said as she stepped over the pile of discarded masks lying on the floor.

  “This is the one.” Lady Nuala admired her reflection in the glass. She chose a purple peacock mask. It was beautifully handcrafted with gorgeous peacock eye feathers coming from the top of the mask; the mask was created with purple, green, and gold feathers with gold edging around the eyeholes. “It is magnificent, don’t you think?”

  “Yes, I—” Isobail started.

  “Wonderful,” Lady Nuala interrupted. “Would you please go get me some hot water? We need to bathe before it is time to go to dinner.”

  Isobail got the pitcher from the top of the dresser and started for the door. Out in the hall, she slid down the door, leaned her head against it, and closed her eyes. Pinching the bridge of her nose, she tried to ease the throbbing in her head. Everyone knew Lady Nuala went through innumerable lady’s maids, but Isobail wasn’t sure why. So far she had only been nice to Isobail. In spite of that, she still wanted to go home. Regretting her decision to leave, Isobail groaned. Standing, she glanced to her left and saw the shape of a man walk into one of the other bedrooms. Narrowing her eyes and then shaking her head, she decided she was really homesick if she was seeing Blane. He was on a ship somewhere. Miserably, she went down to the kitchen to fill her pitcher with hot water.

  * * *

  The large clock in the tower in the center of city rang out seven o’clock.

  “How are we going to work dinner? We can’t just go to the dining hall with you and have everyone see us,” Blane asked, breaking the hour-long silence.

  “I think it would be best if I go to dinner in the dining hall with the rest of the guests,” Lord Conell said. “The two of you can go to the kitchens and eat there. Then we will meet back here, mask up, and go to the ballroom together.” The three men nodded in unison. “I’ll go first, wait a few minutes, and then check the halls and you can head on down to the kitchen.” Lord Conell opened the door and was gone.

  Blane shifted his weight on the bed so that he was leaning against the cool stone wall. He was anxious to get this night over with so he could get Isobail safely home and get himself to the port and his plans for the future.

  “Blane?” Brian broke into his thoughts.

  “Yep.”

  “I need you to promise me something.” Brian refused meet Blane’s eyes.

  “What?”

  “If I don’t make it out of here tonight . . .” Brian stopped Blane’s protest with a hand. “If I don’t make it out tonight, promise me that you’ll get Isobail to safety, and that you’ll go back and let Barra and Dolidh know what happened. They’re the closest thing I have to family, and I don’t want them to wonder what happened to me
if I never come home.” Blane stared doubtfully at Brian. “Please, Blane, promise me.”

  Blane sighed. “All right, I promise. Not that it makes a difference. We’re all going to make it home.”

  “Thank you,” Brian whispered.

  “I think it has been long enough, and I’m starving. Let’s go.” Blane stood up and walked to the door, opened it a crack to peek out, and then pulled it open. “After you.” He gestured for Brian to go first. Brian smacked his shoulder as he passed.

  “You’re a good man,” Brian assured him. “Isobail is lucky to have you.”

  34

  Isobail stood with her back to the stone wall behind Lady Nuala’s chair, surveying the immense dining hall and its innumerable guests. The castle was the largest building Isobail had ever seen, but this room alone could have easily fit four of her family’s farmhouse in it. The wall on the opposite side of the room was nothing but arched windows mimicking the wooden arches that covered the ceiling. And in the center of each wooden arch was a magnificent iron chandelier. The tops had a circle of beautiful crystals. There were six candles, each sitting on its own scroll with a crystal fringe around the bottom.

  The tables were set with two long rows facing each other and one table at the head where the king and queen sat with their children. The center of the tables was bustling with the kitchen staff coming and going, bringing plate after plate of food, and filling and refilling goblets of wine. Isobail didn’t dare leave the safety of her wall for fear of being trampled, not that Lady Nuala would allow her to leave her sight anyway.

  Isobail was so bored. There was nothing for her to do because the kitchen staff was taking care of all the guests. Her feet were beginning to ache from standing in the same spot for too long. All she could do was stand there and wait for Lady Nuala to give her directions. Doing nothing was actually quite tiresome.

  She was staring blankly at one of the kitchen servants when the young woman’s face fell and went ashen as she fled the room. Isobail turned to the doorway and saw that Lord Niall had just entered the dining hall. He was standing in the doorway, searching the crowd. His eyes stopped on the young servant, and he smiled warmly and then continued searching the throng of royalty. He spotted Lady Nuala and purposefully made his way over to where she was sitting. Isobail wasn’t sure what to think of her mistress’s brother. His compassion toward her had seemed genuine, but while his words to Lady Nuala may have been kind words, they were not meant to be polite at all.

  “Hello, my lady.” Lord Niall’s words were full of anger. “How are you enjoying your evening so far?”

  “It was just wonderful until you got here.” Lady Nuala wouldn’t even look at him.

  “In that case, why don’t you take your meal in the kitchen with the servants? Because by the time I am through with you, that is all you are going to be,” he whispered. Isobail had to strain to hear the last part. “We’ll see who will be what when this holiday is over,” he said, smiling strangely, and then he turned his attention to Isobail. “Hello, Isobail. It’s lovely to see you again. How are you?” He winked at her.

  As her heart began to beat frantically, Isobail tried to decide what the wink meant. He didn’t exactly scare her, but she wasn’t sure what to think of him. “I’m fine . . . um . . . thank you.” She bowed.

  “Aren’t you above speaking to the staff?” Lady Nuala asked angrily. “Go find a seat and leave us be!” Lady Nuala tried to wave him away with her knife.

  “I speak to whomever I choose. I have that right. I am of noble blood. After all, I speak to you and underneath the clothes, aren’t the two of you the same?” He smiled roguishly and walked away to find an empty seat.

  Lady Nuala snapped to attention at his final comment. She narrowed her eyes and gazed at him until he took a seat, tilted his goblet in her direction, and took a long swig. “Isobail,” she whispered, “please leave me.”

  “I’m sorry. What?”

  “Sorry, it’s loud in here. I said you may go now if you like. Please, would you mind going back to my chamber and getting my costume ready for the masquerade?”

  “Yes, my lady.” She almost ran from the room, afraid Lady Nuala would change her mind. She was so relieved to be by herself that she practically floated up the stairs to their chambers.

  * * *

  Blane shook his head and moved it from side to side. His muscles were beginning to relax. He just wanted to find Isobail and take her home, but he was definitely calmer now that he was leaving the kitchens with a belly full of good food. He was thinking about getting upstairs and putting on his mask so they could get to the party when Brian grabbed him and pulled him into a nook in the wall.

  “What the?”

  “Shhh, be quiet!” Brian whispered and put his hand over Blane’s face. Brian stuck his head out of the nook and let go of Blane.

  “What was that all about?” Blane demanded.

  “Isobail was leaving the dining hall. We couldn’t risk her seeing us.” Blane followed Brian out of the nook.

  “Oh, and Moira would have recognized you too.”

  “She wasn’t with her. Come on, let’s go meet Niall and get ready.” Brian turned and started down the hall.

  “Wait a minute. You mean to tell me that Isobail was just alone in the hall?” When Brian nodded, Blane continued, “Why didn’t we just take her and leave right now? If she was just alone, why do we need to go through with this whole masquerade plan?” Blane’s eyes were wide in frustration.

  “For two reasons. First, we are here to help Niall as well as to save Isobail, and second, if we had taken her now, Lady Nuala would have guards hunting us down so fast we would never make it past the drawbridge,” Brian explained, “Look I want to save Isobail just as much as you do, but if we don’t keep our wits about us we’ll end up making a mistake. Mistakes can get people killed.” Brian put his arm around Blane’s shoulder as they walked up the stairs to Niall’s chamber.

  “I understand. I’m sorry. It’s just so frustrating having her so close and having to wait to save her.”

  “Good man.” Brian kept his arm around Blane until they reached the door to Niall’s chamber, offering him comfort as much as to keep him from trying to run to Isobail. He wasn’t going to let him make a mistake that could cost him his life.

  They entered the chambers and waited in silence until Niall returned.

  “Here,” Niall said, handing them each a pile of clothing. “You need to blend in as much as possible.” When they were all ready to go, Niall surveyed their appearance and nodded.

  “Okay, Blane, you find Isobail and get her out. Brian and I will take care of Lady Nuala.”

  “Just take her and run as fast and as far as you can before you stop,” Brain added. “Don’t worry about us. You have no reason to get involved with Moira at all.”

  Blane nodded and they all took one last look at each other. They left Niall’s chambers for the last time. The ballroom was on the second floor just across from the dining room, so they descended the stairs together. They stopped outside the huge, ten-panel white doors. Blane’s breath caught at the beauty of the room.

  The wall on the other side of the gigantic room was floor to ceiling doors that led out onto a balcony. The view was of a sleeping Dòmhail with gaslights sporadically dotting the horizon. Below the balcony, the ocean was slapping against the steep cliffs of jagged rock. The room had cream-colored pillars and polished marble floors. Diamonds were painted on the ceiling, and in the center of each hung a crystal chandelier with a circle of twelve candles.

  “Here we go!” Brian nodded and slapped Blane on the back as they followed Niall into the mass of swirling costumes.

  35

  Lady Nuala gazed at her reflection in the mirror, finally pleased with her appearance. Relaxing her tightly pursed lips, she tried to calm the churning in her stomach. This was her first time here without her father. She wanted to fit in. Plus, she was still worried about Lord Niall’s plans for her.r />
  Isobail had piled Lady Nuala’s raven black hair on top of her head in a series of elaborate braids accentuating her rouge-tinted cheekbones. Nuala stood from the dressing table to take one last look at her figure. Her gown was an attractive shade of purple with intricate gold embellishments on the bodice that perfectly matched the peacock mask she had chosen. She turned and took her mask from Isobail’s outstretched hand.

  “You definitely know how to arrange hair properly,” she complimented. “I’m very pleased with the way it turned out, but everything you have done so far has been wonderful. Of course it would turn out flawless.”

  “I’m glad you like it.” Isobail smiled.

  “I’m ready to go to the party,” Lady Nuala said. “Will you escort me to the ballroom? Then you may go to the kitchens and see about some dinner. I’m sure you’re hungry. As soon as you are finished, please come meet me in the ballroom.”

  “Thank you, my lady,” Isobail said as her stomach rumbled.

  Lady Nuala excused Isobail by waving her jeweled hand. She watched as Isobail walked down the hall and disappeared down the stairs. Nuala’s hope was that by entering alone, no one would notice her.

  * * *

  Brian, Blane, and Niall had been weaving through the crowd for at least twenty minutes, but none of them had seen Isobail or Lady Nuala. Blane leaned against a pillar. He was beginning to think they were never going to show up. He searched the throng of people for his friends. Brian was walking through the door to search the balcony again, and Niall was hovering around the king as he scanned the crowd. Just when Niall was beginning to give up on finding Lady Nuala in the sea of masks, the doors flew open, and she sashayed into the room, looking around to see who was watching her. She really was a vision in her purple costume.

  “Oh, doesn’t she look beautiful?” Niall heard the queen whisper to her lady’s maid. She went to greet her. “Lady Nuala, welcome to our party. You look so enchanting. Come, you must let my husband greet you.”