by Diane Darcy
Logan pointed toward the castle. “Within those very walls, the girl locked the doors from the inside and watched her mistress fall asleep. The girl, worried some unfortunate event might take place, lit a candle, letting its dull glow shine across the queen’s face.”
Logan exhaled loudly. “The servant girl tried her best to stay awake, and succeeded for hours, until finally, she nodded off. Eventually, she jerked awake to the sight of a heat and light, finally realizing the candle she’d burned had lit the bed-curtains afire!”
Logan shook his head and tutted. “She tried to wake the queen, but smoke inhalation foiled her attempts, and so she dragged the queen from the bed, found she’d lost the key, and pounded for the guards to help.
The guards broke the door open, whereby the servant girl handed the unconscious queen out into the corridor, but the blaze caught her, and the servant girl died within.”
Logan looked around at the rapt faces of the crowd. “Now why should we fear such a brave lassie? Tis because her gift of sight was turned to darkness that night, and those who look upon her face, are subject to doom.”
Logan clapped his hands together and rubbed them. “All right, I’m going to let you loose. You have an hour to scout about, but I will warn you to be careful. The servant girl is not the only ghost about. There is said to be a tour guide who many have approached, only to watch him disappear. So, watch yer manners and don’t be insultin’ the dead.”
There were titters of laughter.
“Oh, one more. There’s a Highland ghost hereabouts. Staff and visitors alike have seen this apparition. He’ll be dressed in full traditional costume, kilt and all.”
At that, everyone turned to look at Ronan.
Logan laughed. “If ye approach him, tis likely he’ll simply vanish before yer eyes. Oh! And, of course, our most important ghost would be that of Mary, Queen of Scots herself. She’s often seen walking from the castle to the ruins of the church.”
Logan made a shooing motion at them. “Go, go, else I’ll continue! Time is short!”
Ashley headed toward the castle, Ronan at her side, the crowd following along.
“Oh, and footsteps,” Logan called after them. “Footsteps have been heard from one of the empty chambers upstairs. But let none of this deter you! Off with you now.”
Chuckling, they leisurely made their way up to the castle, and Monica and Garth turned back to wave at them. “We’re gonna hurry and go on ahead,” Garth called back. “See you back at the bus!”
She waved back. “So, you’ve been here before? In the castle?”
“Never inside the castle, we camped outside the walls.”
“When was this? What year was it?”
“1746. The castle was of course locked to us, as we were trying to overthrow it at the time.”
“No success?” She teased.
Looking pensive, he shook his head.
“What is it?”
He shrugged. “Just memories. We actually passed by here on our way to Edinburgh. We came back three months later to try and seize Stirling Castle. It would give the Jacobite cause a reputation, as it was a very famous place. It would’ve given us a place to stay for the winter, and also a way to bring in supplies easily.”
“Do tell.” Ashley said, her tone still teasing, though she was a little surprised at his glum tone. The way he stayed in character, she wondered if he could be an actor. The longer she was with him the more she wanted to know about him, not some fake storyline. “What happened next?”
“We were waitin’ for a consignment of artillery from the French.”
“And then?”
“The town surrendered, the gunner brought in the cannons, and the siege against the castle began. Some of us stayed here, and others headed to Falkirk to victory.”
“So, did you win?”
“Nae, the prince was counseled poorly. Between the snipers, bombs, and mortars, and more poor leadership, we were beaten back. It was foolishness, and many deserted. We had to abandon the siege.”
“It sounds like Bonnie Prince Charlie should have listened to better advice.”
“Aye, lass. On that, we are in complete agreement.”
“Shall we take a tour? Or just walk around?”
“Let’s go alone. I always did wonder what it looked like on the inside.”
They passed a tour guide pointing out the statue of Robert the Bruce, and the Wallace Monument in the distance.
Ronan seemed to be in a pensive mood, and Ashley was determined to cheer him up.
They walked toward two large lanterns, and through the open arched doorway that led to a courtyard. She had to admit, seeing the sights in the daylight might not be as spooky, but you could certainly see more.
They walked past a café that served sandwiches and desserts, then entered a long, dark hallway to get into the castle itself.
They stopped in front of murals depicting musicians, and Ashley pounded on a drum, played a harp, and played chopsticks on a small piano set out for tourist use.
“Well? What do you think?”
Ronan shook his head. “Tis not as I pictured.”
They passed more displays, murals, plaques describing castle life and even came across a costume room where they could dress as people from medieval times.
Ronan laughed as she posed in a dress and hat.
“No?”
“Er … the dress suits ye, but the hat is one that a page might wear.”
“You mean I’m a trend setter? Yay!”
His lips quirked. She’d get a smile out of him yet.
They kept going, but found no ghosts at all. “It looks like you’re the closest thing to a haunt we’re going to find here. Now, if we could only teach you to disappear.”
Finally, a grin!
Holding hands, they continued on. “You have to admit, even though there isn’t a lot of furniture, they’ve gone all out trying to keep guests entertained.”
And they had. Building blocks, things to read, plaques, and a lot of information about the Royals who’d once lived there.
At one point, they headed outside again, to an overlook of Stirling and the roads below. The grass was green, and there was even a plaque honoring a man who’d tried to build a bird suit so he could fly. He’d actually jumped off the wall and broken his leg.
They’d both gotten a laugh out of that.
They toured the King’s room, the Queen’s room, and eventually made their way to the great hall before going outside again.
“Well? Was it all you thought it would be?”
“Nae, at one time I’d thought it would be the most wonderful thing to live in a castle, but after stayin’ in yer room last night, with all the amenities close at hand, I’m thinkin’ I would prefer somethin’ like that better.”
“Well, where do you live?”
“Upon the moor.”
“Oh, that’s right. Trapped upon the moor with the others.”
With their arms entwined, she gave him a squeeze. “Have it your way, but eventually I will get all of your secrets out of you.”
“As to that, I suppose time will tell.” He sounded a bit sad again.
“Are your parents still alive?”
He gave her a startled glance. “How could they be?”
“Right.” Well into the castle, they started heading back in the general direction of the parking lot. “Well, tell me about them anyway. Do you miss them?”
He seemed to think about that, his gaze unfocused. “Aye, I suppose I do.”
“What was your mother like?”
“Tall, stern, but lovin’.”
“Your father?”
“Tall, stern.”
“I suppose they were proud of you?”
“Mum did not like me goin’ to war, but Da said I was built for it, and he was right.”
Ashley was getting confused, not sure if he’d actually been in the military, or if the ghost had been. “Did you enjoy the military?”
&nbs
p; He took a breath and released it. “Enjoy? I suppose I did. I was always the largest on the field, and in hand-to-hand combat, I could not be beat. It turns out arrows were another matter entirely.”
“But your mother didn’t approve?”
“She felt I was being used. She didnae understand.”
“Used, how?”
“I was always in the front, you ken? I’d lose my head, so it was best to point me at the enemy, and let me go so as none of our own would get hurt. Sensible, no? But Mum never did ken the like.”
Ashley didn’t like the thought of it either.
“What happened with the arrows?”
He shrugged. “Bonnie Prince Charlie did not show up on time for the battle. When the fightin’ began, we were without leadership, positioned poorly, and I was filled with holes before I’d even taken my first step. Many of us were.”
“You didn’t even get to fight?”
His jaw clenched, and he shook his head. He seemed to be looking inside of himself as he said, “I should have led them, I shouldnae have waited.”
She could see a muscle ticking in his jaw and would swear he looked … wounded. Whatever he was thinking about was bringing out powerful emotions, and they did not seem pretend. It didn’t seem like acting.
Walking down a stone hallway, protective instincts sprang up out of nowhere.
She wanted to grab him, wrap her arms around him, and press his face against her neck while she calmed him, pet his hair, and rubbed his back.
She took his hand instead and twined their fingers together. “I think you’re incredibly brave. I think your mother and father would have been very proud of you.” She lifted their hands, and kissed the back of his. “I, for one, feel very safe with you around.”
He stared down at their hands, and then looked at her, strong emotion burning his eyes.
Now he lifted their hands, and kissed the back of hers.
They both stopped and turned to face each other. Breathless, Ashley tilted her face up, and Ronan lowered his head and kissed her. His lips were firm, and the kiss started out soft, tender, and then he pulled her into his arms and was kissing her like he’d never taken a woman’s lips and had been saving up for this moment with her.
A wolf whistle, loud in the long hallway, broke them apart, Ronan slowly releasing her. He was panting, smiling down at her, and she blushed, tried to catch her own breath, and smiled right back.
“Come, lass, or they’ll soon leave without us.”
He took her hand, and boneless, she stumbled after him feeling she’d follow him anywhere. The two of them ran down the steps, across the courtyard, and headed toward the bus.
They were soon in their seats again, with more people trickling in after them. Monica and Garth arrived minutes after they did.
“Did you have fun?” Ashley asked them.
Monica turned around. “Loved it!”
“But we didn’t see any ghosts,” Garth grumbled.
“Us either.”
“Where to next?” Ronan asked.
“Glamis Castle, I think.”
“Glamis?” There was something in his voice.
“Yes, have you been there?”
To her surprise, he shook his head. “Most avoid the place.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“Tis not.”
She grinned at her friends. “Then we’re going to love it!”
Chapter 11
Logan did a headcount, and Ashley was impressed with how upbeat he was able to remain while herding them all into place.
He clapped his hands together and rubbed them. “All right, we’re all here. Our next part of the journey will be the longest yet. We’ve two hours on the bus until we arrive at Glamis Castle.”
He walked back up the aisle and turned to face everyone. “Doonae forget, ye did sign on for this. Today we’ll be heading up to the Highlands and you’re to remember as we drive, this is all about the journey. You’re to see Scotland as we go along, we’ll have a stop along the way, and perhaps there’s time to fit in a wee nap if ye are so inclined. We’ll be there before ye know it.”
More hand rubbing. “So, settle in, have your cameras at the ready, and, as you Americans on the bus like to say, let’s get this show on the road. Yay!”
Everyone responded enthusiastically and as Lewis drove away, Logan quickly seemed to take his own advice, as he crossed his arms, and tugged his plaid hat down over his eyes.
Ashley wasn’t interested in a nap, not at the moment anyway, she was more interested in the Scottish countryside, and her companion.
Okay, mostly her companion.
“Will you tell me if you see anything familiar?”
“Aye, I will.”
Monica and Garth were playing games on their phones while others on the bus enjoyed the scenery, snapped pictures, and took naps.
“So, you avoided Glamis. Is there anywhere else you haven’t wanted to visit?”
“Barcaldine Castle, of course, though that’s not surprisin’ as no one wants to go there.”
She took the bait. “Why not? What happened there?”
“Murder and mayhem.”
Her brows rose. “Tell me more.”
He studied her as if gauging her interest. “The Earl of Argyll and his men were guests of the MacDonalds of Glencoe.”
“Didn’t you say you were from Glencoe?”
“Hush, now. Do ye want to hear the tale or no’?”
“Tell me.”
“The regiment turned upon their hosts, killing most of them and chasing others into the snow swept mountains and to their death. Tis certainly a most accursed place.”
“Why would they do that?”
He looked gratified by her question. “Alastair Maclain, the chief of Glencoe, was supposed to swear allegiance to the crown by the first day of the year. But, he was detained.”
“Detained by who?”
“By the regiment that murdered him. They locked him in a closet and held him for a day, but that one day was enough to ensure that he didnae make the deadline. Leadin’ the regiment was Robert Campbell, sworn enemy to the MacDonalds, and he seized upon the chance to kill their Highland enemies.”
“What a cheater.”
Ronan nodded his head in acknowledgement.
“Is it haunted?”
“Tis said to be.”
“Well, maybe I’ll have to come back and see it sometime. Or maybe I’ll stay a few extra days?”
Monica looked over the back of her seat at Ashley, and grinned, before going back to her game.
She was feeling him out, seeing if he wanted her to stay. If he wasn’t interested, he shouldn’t be holding her hand and kissing her all the time.
If he was, she was more than willing to give him the perfect opening.
“I would no’ like to see ye go to such a place. Tis said those who’ve slept within the castle have felt a presence sitting upon their legs during the darkest hour. I would not think it to be a comfortable sensation, nor would I want to seek it out.”
She leaned in to whisper in his ear. “Are ghosts supposed to be afraid of ghosts?”
“Mmmphm.” His guttural snort indicated his disbelief and his brows crashed together. “As to that, me and mine did no harm to the livin’, I can assure ye.”
“All right, I didn’t mean to offend you,” she teased. “But I have to say this tour has been something of a disappointment in terms of ghosts. You’re the only one we’ve actually seen so far.”
“Count yerself lucky.”
She laughed, and looked out the window as they passed through a small village off to one side of the road. “Have you been here before?”
He finally shook his head. “I doonae recognize it.”
They rode in silence for a long while as she enjoyed the passing landscape. “Scotland really is beautiful. What are your favorite places?”
He seemed to consider for a long moment, and finally said, “I’ve often thou
ght of Loch Leven. I used to swim and fish there almost every day. The place was home to wildfowl, ducks, ospreys. I can still remember the smell of the grasses near the shore.”
“That sounds nice,” she said softly.
“I used to roam the hills near Inchree Falls, and would sit there for hours watching the water run down the hill. In the summer, hills were covered in heather.”
Ashley watched him talk, the chiseled planes of his sigh-worthy face softening as he remembered.
“Once, there was a mornin’, when I was marchin’ with my regiment, and we crested the hill at Loch Garten. The water was sparkling with the early sun, and I thought it the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.”
“I’d like to see that myself.”
She wrapped her arm around his, and leaned on his shoulder as she gazed out the window. “Tell me more.”
He proceeded to do just that, telling her of his favorite places, and she could hear the love of his country in his voice, devoted, affectionate, firm.
This trip would not be enough. Not enough time to see this extraordinary country, and certainly not enough time with Ronan.
She didn’t want to push him, wanted him to invite her to stay, or ask to visit her, or at the very least, get her phone number! But now wasn’t the time, though she’d certainly bring it up before the day was over.
In the meantime, she enjoyed his low baritone voice telling her of the places he’d been, the places he’d seen, and she listened as the countryside slid by.
Was it possible to fall in love with someone in one day?
Maybe, when it was right, it was just right?
She certainly hadn’t expected this when she’d come to Scotland, but she wasn’t a fool, and if Ronan was willing, and he seemed to be, she had every intention of seeing if a real relationship with him was possible.
There, driving down the A9 in Scotland toward their next haunted castle, Ashley realized she was very clear about one thing.
Somehow, someway, she was keeping him.
It took just over an hour to get to Glamis Castle, and Ashley enjoyed the view the entire time. The charming villages they passed through, the green fields, rolling hills, and most of all the feel of Ronan, warm, solid, and strong beside her.
