Fraser 01 - Highland Legacy (12 page)

With her head high, Cailin accompanied Marion into the great hall. Maggie followed close behind. Despite the stares, snickers, and whispers from the servants milling about the room, she refused to give them the satisfaction of knowing their unkind words had cut through her like a knife.

“Dinna pay them any mind. They’re not happy unless they have something to gossip about.” Marion stopped abruptly and called for the castle steward. “Hugh! Mayhap you could find more chores that need tending. It appears the only things working in this room are these people’s tongues.”

On the far side of the hall, an elfin looking man dropped what he was doing and waddled toward them. As round as he was tall, his tufts of grey hair stuck out wildly from his head in every direction. Cailin stifled the urge to chuckle.

Marion continued to address the servants. “In case you have not heard, my husband’s cousin, Connor, has taken a bride. Lady Cailin is to be treated with the same respect you show to me. Anyone who doesn’t see fit to do so, will answer to my husband or myself.”

A grin tugged at Cailin’s lips. The speed with which the people scattered and returned to their chores was most impressive. Torn between embarrassment and gratitude, she had no doubt that under different circumstances she and Marion would have become good friends.

Marion turned and spoke to Hugh. “Lady Cailin needs a chamber in which to rest and bathe. No offense dear.”

Hugh stopped a few feet away. “A lady you say?” He cocked his head and scanned Cailin from head to toe.

“Please stop gawking at the lass, Hugh, and see her settled. Maggie, fetch a tray of food from the kitchen and take it up to her chamber. Lady Cailin must be famished after her long journey.” Marion crossed her arms over her chest and impatiently tapped her toe on the stone floor.

“I’ll see to it right away.” Maggie curtsied, then went to do her mistress’s bidding.

“I meant no disrespect, Lady Fraser. There is an empty chamber on the third floor of the Snow Tower. Does she have a chest with her belongings?” Hugh asked.

Cailin shook her head. “I dinna have time to pack my things. I have only the clothes on my back, but a chance to freshen up sounds divine.”

“Follow me, and I’ll show you to your chamber.” Hugh moved toward a large stone staircase at the far end of the hall, but paused partway and glanced over his shoulder. “Will the lady’s husband be joining her? Mayhap it would be better to take her to his chamber instead.”

“I’m not sure if—” At a loss for words, she glanced at Marion.

Marion placed her hand on Cailin’s shoulder and gently squeezed. “After he has spoken to the king, I’m sure Connor will join her. The chambers on the third floor are larger, and more suitable to the needs of a newly married couple.”

After he has spoken to the king, we may no longer be married.
The thought caused Cailin’s heart to clench. She closed her eyes and drew in a slow deep breath. When she opened them again, Marion was staring at her.

Marion silently studied her for a moment, and then spoke to Hugh. “Could you give us a moment alone?”

“Of course, m’lady, I’ll see to the servants while I wait.” He bowed, and stepped out of hearing range.

“Come, sit with me for a few minutes.” Marion pointed to a pair of overstuffed chairs beside the hearth. Once seated, she patted the chair beside her and waited for her to sit down. “You seem uncertain if Connor will wish to join you.”

“I’m afraid our marriage was not planned. In fact, he may already have seen it dissolved. From the day we met, he made it very clear he was dedicated to the cause and has no use for a wife.”

“Nonsense. I have known him since he was a wee lad. Connor may be a master at hiding his feelings, but there is no mistaking a man in love.”

“He is not in love with me. The only reason he declared us married was to protect my reputation, and to keep me safe.”

“Are you in love with him?”

Cailin lowered her eyes and twisted her hands in her lap. “I do love him, but I will not force him to stay in a marriage he doesn’t want.”

“Has he told you he does not love you?”

“Nay, but he hasn’t told me that he does.”

Marion raised her elegantly sculpted brow. “The words dinna come easily to a man. Since you are not certain what is in his heart, I think it only fair to give him a chance. I assume he saw the marriage consummated.”

“Aye, we are husband and wife by word, and deed.” The heat of a blush rose in her cheeks.

“My husband’s cousin is not the sort of man to take advantage of a woman, and then turn his back on her.”

“I gave myself to him freely, and I will not hold him to a marriage he did not want.”

“You might carry his babe. Have you thought about that? Will you give up so easily?” Marion badgered.

“It is what I must do. Even if it breaks my heart.” Her voice trailed off to a whisper. She glanced away, fighting the swell of emotion rising from the pit of her stomach. She slid her hand over the flat plane of her belly. “He wants no commitments or responsibilities to tie him down. If the Almighty sees fit to bless me with a babe, I will love the bairn with all my heart and raise it on my own.”

“Connor is so much like his cousin.” She reached over and patted Cailin’s hand. “When we first met, Simon was serious, brooding, and so handsome he stole my breath away. He, too, had dedicated his life to Scotland’s cause, and claimed no interest in marriage or family. It dinna help that my father forbid me to see him. He had grander plans for me and my sisters.”

Cailin’s eyes widened—surprised by the similarity in their situations. “How did you find your way around those obstacles?”

“Och, we did not have an easy go of it. Things worth having seldom are. I refused to back down from what I wanted. Eventually love took its course, and Simon decided he would rather live with me than without me. We have been happily married for twenty-one summers, and have two lovely daughters to show for it. Connor is a very good man and has a lot of love to share. He has kept his heart guarded for so long he’s not sure what to do. Given time, he will come around.”

“If only that were true, I would be willing to wait.”

“Would you like me to show the lady to her bower?” Maggie rushed across the room, startling both women.

Hugh followed close on her heels. “I’m sorry, m’lady. I wasn’t able to stop her in time.”

“Forgive me, m’lady.” Maggie said, her eyes trailing the floor.

Marion rose from the chair and faced them. “It’s all right, Hugh, she meant no harm.” She offered Cailin her hand and helped her to her feet. “While you are staying with us, Maggie will serve as your maid and tend to your needs. Hugh, please show Lady Cailin to her chamber.”

“This way m’lady.” He motioned with a sweep of his hand and continued his trek toward the stairs.

Marion smiled. “Go with Maggie and Hugh, my dear, and I’ll see that everything you need is sent up directly. After you’ve rested, join us in the great hall for the evening meal.”

Cailin nodded. “Thank you, I’d like that.” Confiding in Marion had lifted her spirits, and gave her a reason to hope. She seldom shared her innermost thoughts with anyone, especially a stranger, but Marion’s kindness and motherly demeanor made her feel welcome and at ease. Perhaps it was because she’d grown up longing for her own mother’s love. Eildth did her best, but it was not the same.

A
moan of pure pleasure escaped Cailin’s lips as she lowered herself into the tub. Her body cried out in protest, and the fragrant hot water felt like Heaven. While she considered herself as fit and hardy as any man, the grueling three-day journey through some of the most rugged terrain in Scotland had left her exhausted, and painfully acquainted with muscles she never knew existed until now.

Cailin closed her eyes. She needed to rid her mind of Connor, of the events of the last few days, but failed at her attempt. His face was all she could see. She remembered the feel of his powerful hands as he gently explored every inch of her body and brought her to the point of ecstasy more times than she could count. The rude comments and whispers of the villages and servants when they heard that she and Connor were married also played on her mind.
Jenna won’t be pleased, someone in the crowd had remarked
.
She opened her eyes. “Who is Jenna?”

Maggie added another bucket of hot water to the tub. “Lady Jenna?”

“I overheard her name mentioned when I arrived in the bailey and wondered who she might be.”

“Och, I suspect you will meet her soon enough. But it is not a meeting I would rush if I were you.” The pleasant look on Maggie’s face was replaced by a scowl of disdain.

“Who is she?” Cailin persisted.

“She’s the only daughter of Nigel Bruce. He’s the king’s brother and was the laird of Kildrummy Castle before the Bruce and his wife and daughter moved in.”

A sudden pang of uneasiness niggled at Cailin’s belly. Given Maggie’s reaction when she heard Jenna’s name, mayhap she was someone best avoided. But curiosity got the better of her. “I heard someone say she would not be pleased to hear Connor was married. Should I be concerned?”

“Lady Jenna is not fond of surprises. Most would call her vain and overindulged by her father. Nay, she will not be pleased to hear that Laird Connor has taken a wife. She’s made no secret of the fact she planned to wed him herself.” As if something had bit her tongue, Maggie covered her mouth and turned away.

“Was there a betrothal or understanding between them?” It was obvious that Maggie had already said more than she had intended, but she had to ask.

“A betrothal was never publicly announced, but to hear her speak, you would think so. She decided the day he arrived that she would be his wife, and warned the other lassies to stay away. What Lady Jenna wants, she usually gets.”

“Does Connor feel the same way about her?” The thought that he may have taken her innocence while another woman waited for him was a bitter pill to swallow.

“Everyone knows he has sworn his sword and his life to the cause. Lady Jenna, on the other hand, has her own agenda. She is accustomed to having her way and is not above trickery and lies to get what she wants. She even asked her uncle to speak to him on her behalf. I would not want to be in the room when she learns of your marriage”

There are few secrets in a keep. Always abreast of the castle gossip, the servants were privy to a lot more than they cared to admit. If there was a dalliance going on under the laird’s nose, they knew. “Are you certain that Connor has no feelings for Lady Jenna?”

“It would take a man with a fist of steel to keep that one in line. Lady Jenna is not only selfish, but she has an evil streak that makes me shudder.” Maggie’s face blanched and she shook her head. “Your husband may be a brave and noble warrior, but he is no match for the likes of her. She would chew him up and spit him out the first time she dinna get her way. Mind you watch your back, m’lady. I would not put it past her to try to come between you. She is not to be trusted.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Cailin closed her eyes and lay back in the tub. At this moment, Jenna Bruce was the least of her worries. Getting Connor to realize his true feelings and to salvage their marriage was her only concern.

Maggie tossed a log on the fire, and then stirred the embers with a poker. “Best you get out of the tub before the water cools.”

“I suppose you’re right. If I stay here any longer, I am sure to nod off.” Cailin sighed and sank lower in the tub, the water covering her shoulders. “It just feels wonderful to be clean and warm.”

Maggie placed a length of toweling on a chair beside the tub. “Are you hungry? Cook prepared a tray with some cheese, fruit slices, bread, and honey.” She moved toward the four-poster bed in the middle of the room and pointed to a small table beside it.

Cailin wrapped herself in the toweling and stepped out of the tub. “I am very tired. I think a rest might prove more beneficial than food. In fact, if you have other things to tend to, I’m sure I’ll be fine on my own.”

“Lady Marion sent these garments for you to wear.” Maggie laid a kirtle, a night rail, a pair of slippers, and an exquisite emerald gown, the neck and sleeves trimmed in gold thread and pearls, on the bed before her.

“These are lovely.” Cailin picked up the gown and ran her hand over the fine fabric. She had never seen anything so beautiful. Her father had always provided her with clothing fit for the daughter of a laird, but never had she worn anything this extravagant.

Maggie handed her a night rail in exchange for the gown. “Put this on, and I’ll set the other clothes on the chair by the door. After you’ve had a chance to rest, I’ll return and help you dress. I have also taken the liberty of washing your clothes, hanging them by the fire to dry.”

“Thank you for your help and kindness, Maggie.” Cailin brought her hand up to stifle a yawn.

“You are welcome, m’lady. Now, try to get a wee bit of rest, and I’ll be back in an hour to check in on you.” She bobbed a curtsy and left the room.

Cailin let the toweling drop to the floor, pulled the night rail over her head, and climbed into bed. Exhausted and emotionally spent, her eyes drifted closed as soon as her head hit the down-filled pillow.