Judith peered into the darkness at a wall fountain where water spewed from the mouth of a stone face resembling Neptune. “Yes?”
“That’s where the well was in the old days,” Chuckie said. “Sometimes bad people were thrown in to drown. Served them right.”
Judith refrained from making a comment.
“The guest rooms are where the barracks used to be,” Chuckie went on, strolling ahead and kicking at an occasional pebble. “There was a postern gatehouse in the old days when the castle was still connected to the land. It led to the barracks, where you’re staying now. Have you heard the horses stomping in their stalls at night?”
“Not yet,” Judith replied. She was tempted to say that she had, in fact, heard a voice saying “Open the gate” and “Open the window.” But she decided not to play into what appeared to be Chuckie’s fantasy.
“You saw the chapel,” Chuckie said. “Did my father make you go?”
“Of course not,” Judith replied. “I always attend Sunday Mass.”
“You do? Why?”
“I want to receive the sacraments,” Judith replied. “They give me the grace to try to lead a good life.”
“That’s bosh,” Chuckie declared. “I wager my father told you that.”
“I’ve been going to Mass since I was a child,” Judith said. “I didn’t meet your father until yesterday.”
Chuckie pointed to the second story of the castle’s west wing. “He and bonnie Beth live there, in the apartments for important people.”
“Where do you live?” Judith inquired.
“Wherever I want,” Chuckie replied. He gestured at the central part of the castle. “That was the great hall. It still is, in a way. It’s used for meetings. The kitchen adjoins it.”
“What kind of meetings?”
“Any kind. Sometimes my father holds them there. Sometimes strangers rent them. They go there and plot terrible things. Last month the Rotary Club came to conspire.”
“The Rotary Club?” Judith echoed, wondering if she’d misheard.
Chuckie nodded. “They came from Inverness for the weekend. The world is full of evil.”
“The Rotary Club does good things,” Judith pointed out.
“That’s bosh, too.” Chuckie nudged Judith’s arm. “Look up to the top of the wall,” he urged in an excited voice. “See the twin towers?”
“Not very well,” Judith said. “They’re hidden by the mist.”
“Just as well. Along the entire wall on both sides, there were stone spikes where they used to put the heads of their enemies to frighten anybody else who meant them harm. A fine idea, don’t you think?”
“I think it’s gruesome,” Judith said. “And I’m getting cold. I thought you were going to show me the inside of the castle.”
Chuckie cocked his head to one side. “Oh. Then…if you insist.” He started for the area he’d indicated was the original great hall. “Can you see the smaller towers?”
“I’ve seen them before,” Judith said. “I can’t see much of anything now except for the courtyard and the walkway.”
“The floors were mainly wood,” Chuckie said. “They were covered with rushes in the beginning and later overlaid with carpets, but the wood rotted, so it was torn up in the guest section.” He stopped by a narrow door with iron hinges and removed a small keychain from the pocket of his khaki slacks. “Do you know why this is locked?”
“Not really,” Judith admitted. “I doubt that you have much trouble with burglars.”
“To keep the prisoners in, of course.” Chuckie laughed merrily. “This smaller tower holds the dungeon. And the torture chamber. That’s my favorite place. Come on.”
“Ah…” Judith didn’t budge. “Can we skip that part? I’m not really interested in barbarity.”
Chuckie scowled and stamped his foot. “I thought you wanted to see my secret places.”
“Not if they’re…unpleasant. I should go back to meet my cousin. We haven’t yet had dinner, and frankly, you’re spoiling my appetite.”
Chuckie waved his fists. “I thought you liked me!”
Judith was slowly backing away, hoping she wouldn’t fall over some unseen obstacle. “I like you,” she insisted, though she wasn’t sure it was true. “But I don’t like tales of cruelty and suffering. I get upset.”
“Then you won’t know my secrets!” Chuckie asserted, his voice rising in pitch.
Fearing that he might have a seizure, Judith smiled. “Tomorrow my cousin and I will have a picnic with you if the weather’s nice. Would you like that?”
“No.” Chuckie’s voice dropped as he began to sulk. “I don’t like that other woman. She has an angry face. Yours is kind, like Beth’s and Moira’s. Go away. I’ll play with the rack in the dungeon.”
“Have fun,” Judith said, and turned toward the main walkway. “See you tomorrow.”
“Maybe.”
Judith heard Chuckie slam the tower door behind him. In spite of herself she shivered. Pity mingled with
