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North-West Scotland

Late October 1810

So, the Folly was their hideaway. He crept up to the Chinese pagoda, almost invisible through thick bushes. Anguish, heightened, as the moon streaked through brambles, casting darts of light on the lovers. Unable to tear his eyes away, his rage mounted as he watched the man clasp the woman to his bosom, the blood in his head pounding as he listened to rapturous sighs, whispers of love. Seething he drew nearer, his feet making no sound on the wet bed of dead leaves. 

Unaware of the watcher, Muriall snuggled her head on Duncan’s shoulder, her fingers playing with soft bristles of black hair on his chest.    ‘I fear for Orla, tis now days and still no sign of her.  She is so young – a maid – a virgin of fifteen.  Her cherubic face and golden hair must be bewitching to the Fey.  Her mother swears they have taken her; they love the beautiful and the innocent.

‘Tis not the Fey, tis the Hell Fire Club, that bloody brother of mine is forever casting about for fresh flesh.  It’s not enough that they have a plenitude of whores, now they are demanding the undefiled.  But, they shall not have her.  I have found out that there is to be an initiation. The brothers have, by foul means, procured a virgin from one of the villages. I am sure it is young Orla. They are keeping her prisoner in the caves.  I intend to be there along with a few friends.  Max is always trying to get me involved in their lecherous cavorting. So, I shall oblige him. We shall whisk her away before they gather their drunken wits.’

‘Can you not get the police to rout them? You must take care; Max is waiting for an opportunity to run you through.’

‘As the club is held underneath the ruins of the castle, they have Father to contend with, he is the law Muriall, and you know how besotted he is with that lecherous rake of a son. I am ashamed to call him brother. Max can do no wrong, no matter how many thousands he loses at cards, no matter that even in these sad times he insists on the finest horses, his lace cuffs imported from Belgium. No, the police cannot cross Father, judges, magistrates, solicitors all sit at his table. Besides it’s a warren of caves underneath the castle – miles of tunnels some scarce big enough for a man to crawl through.  The police will not touch the Hell Fire Club, it is a secret society heavily guarded and there are no witnesses. Anyone careless enough to come forward disappears. Plenty of bogs around here.’

‘But what about their bestial activities; cavorting with the Devil, the orgies?  They pretend to be monks but turn all the crucifixes upside down. Surely tis against the Church and the law to worship the Horned God?’

‘The club is made up of some of the leading members of society, they cannot be touched.  But we shall see that Orla is not despoiled.’

‘Be careful Duncan, you know how treacherous he is, how much he detests you. The rake would not be above paying someone to harm you.’  

‘By the time we strike, he and his cohorts will be drunk and out of their minds on opiates.’

‘Then I shall come with you.’

‘No – impossible.  I will not have you near such a degraded meeting – God knows what you will be confronted with.’

‘For goodness sake Duncan don’t start that again.  I can out-fence and out-shoot most of your friends, besides there is nothing much to shock me. I am not one of your simpering maids clutching at her skirts.  ‘

‘I know, and I love you for it but this is a time for brute strength and —’

‘It is not brute strength that wins the day, but strategy and cunning as well as a good sword.’

‘Look do we have to have this argument – I cannot have you there and that’s it. Enough.’ 

‘Enough? Who do you think you are? You think you can talk to me like that? Have you not learnt yet?  No man denies me. I have fought in the villages against the militia armed to the teeth—’

‘They would rape you as soon as look at you. That is what the women are there for. I cannot begin to describe the perversions the—‘

‘Enough, I will be coming with—’ Muriall stopped, as Duncan put his hand across her mouth.

‘Hush, I hear something.’

Eyes wide, Muriall took hold of his hand as she whispered ‘What – where?’

Another twig cracked as they listened.

‘Oh my God – who do you think that was?’

Duncan leapt to his feet drawing the short sword from its scabbard, ‘Stay here, I’ll go have a look.’

‘Not bloody likely. I’m coming with you. ‘Pulling on the leather britches, Muriall sprang to her feet, keeping Duncan insight.

She found Duncan kneeling examining the mounds of leaves. ‘Imprints – large – someone’s been here.’

‘Well whoever it was they got an eyeful.’ Who on earth could it be?’

‘It looks like our secret’s out.’

‘It’s Max – the servants would not dare come above ground – definitely wouldn’t come here. It is forbidden.  The servant’s tunnels run underneath the front lawns so they wouldn’t have any cause—‘

‘If it’s Max then we shall have to rethink.  If he says a word about us to the Earl, I will call him out. He knows that. He’s too much of a coward to risk it. But he would find a way – scheme to expose us somehow.’

‘What about Orla? He would have heard you’re intent on rescuing her. D’you think he’d harm the girl?’  She stamped her foot, ‘Damn blackguard – let’s search the caves now. Get her out before he can do anything about it.’

‘The entrances are guarded day and night by paid guards. They would fight to the death to stop anyone entering; Max pays them well, he  lies between them and starvation.  No, this must be planned. I shall get hold of the others.  We shall have to strike before the initiation.’

‘Surely they could harm her now?’

‘No, it’s an initiation – an offering to the Devil – his bride. . She must remain chaste.  The brothers would be howling for vengeance if she were besmirched.  They want the fresh blood of the virgin.’

‘What d’you mean fresh blood? Surely they don’t mean to—’

‘No – no.  They wish to see proof that the hymen is pierced.’