Page 61 of Highland Spy

Shouts went up as women gathered their children, and vendors closed up their wagons and everyone ran to find a dry area.

Caleb finished tying up his boat, not at all happy that Clement had won the rowing competition. He saw Henry go down when his boat took on too much water and realized the saboteur was at it again. Caleb might have had a good chance at winning, but slowed down when he saw Bridget’s father running toward the water. Thank goodness Logan stopped the man, but Caleb’s hesitancy cost him first place.

“Caleb,” called out Logan, running up to join him.

“Where’s Slink?” was the first thing Caleb asked, worried that his pet would be trampled in the stampede of people running for cover.

“I left Slink in Bridget’s chamber when I helped her get her faither back to their room.”

Rain pelted down, soaking them to the skin. “Let’s go,” said Caleb, taking off at a run for the keep with Logan right behind him.

Once inside, Logan headed toward the great hall. “Let’s get an ale and dry off by the fire.”

“Ye go ahead. I’m goin’ to find Bridget.”

“Sorry about the race, but ye still came in second in the rowin’. And ye’re still the winner of two events, and no one else has done that but Clement.”

“Aye, and there is one more event left before the final competition, and its sword combat.”

“So? Ye’re guid with a sword, Caleb. Ye have nothin’ to worry about.”

“With the saboteur still out there, I willna stop worryin’ until he’s caught. And it doesna matter how many rounds I win, it is the total of points given overall that will determine the winner.”

“Well, thanks to the rain, ye have an extra night to figure out who it is. Now, I’m goin’ to get an ale. I hope Jack is hidin’ in the woods until the storm is over. If he wanders back to the castle, he’s likely to scare some of the lassies.”

“Aye. I dinna like so many people around. I canna even let Slink go off on his own, for fear he’ll be trampled.”

Caleb headed to Bridget’s chamber, knocking softly on the door. When no one answered, he opened the door and poked his head inside.

“Bridget? Are ye in here, lass?”

Bridget sat at the table with a candle burning. She was bent over, writing in the book. Her father lay on the bed snoring. Caleb took a step inside and closed the door. Slink dropped down from somewhere, landing on his shoulder, taking him by surprise.

“Och!” he cried and started laughing. “Oh, it’s only ye, Slink.”

“Caleb?” Bridget turned around. She looked tired and worn and as if something were really bothering her. “Caleb, I’m glad ye’re here.” She put down the quill and ran over to him. Caleb put Slink on the floor and took her into his arms, giving her a hug.

“Blethers! Ye’re wet,” she said, pulling away from him.

“Well, it is rainin’, in case ye havena noticed.”

“Stand near the fire in the hearth so ye can dry off.” She hurried over to the hearth and used a metal rod to poke at the fire. Her father slept soundly and didn’t even stir. “I’m sorry ye didna win the rowin’ event,” she told him.

“Ye saw what happened to Henry,” he said, warming his hands in front of the flames.

“Yes. And I’m sure ye saw what happened with my faither, too.”

“I saw him run down to the lake, and thought he was shoutin’ somethin’. What was that all about?”

She looked back toward the bed with worry on her brow. Slowly, she put the poker back. “I’m afraid his madness is gettin’ worse, Caleb. I canna hide it any longer.”

“Is he goin’ to hear us?” asked Caleb in a whisper.

“Nay,” she said with a shake of her head. “I gave him his medicine and he will sleep until mornin’. I hate to do that to him, Caleb, but it’s for his own guid. But after today, I’m afraid too many people saw what happened and that the king is goin’ to find out now, too.”

“Bridget, mayhap it’s time ye told King Robert about yer faither’s condition. Perhaps he’ll understand.”

“Will he?” she asked, sounding frustrated. “Do ye really think he’ll just let my faither go, and no’ do a thing about the fact he’s been deceived by an auld madman and a woman for the last few years?”