Highland Courage (Highland Brides) (11 page)

Mairead said nothing. She simply sat within his arms, looking horror-struck.

“Are ye all right, little one?” Tadhg asked gently.

“Aye,” said Mairead weakly. She pulled away from him and climbed off the bed. “The evening meal will be served soon, we should get dressed.” Looking at the clothing strewn around the room, she blushed and muttered, “This must have been a pretty picture.” Frowning, she gathered up her garments and dressed.

It was painful to see her so distressed. He was furious. Growling, he pulled on his own clothes. “If ye are sure ye’ll be fine, I need to go downstairs and mete out some justice.”

Mairead became very still. “What will ye do?”

“I have never used a whip as punishment for anyone, but tonight I would like to thrash both of them.” At the look of dismay on Mairead’s face, he said more gently, “Don’t worry, little one, I wouldn’t beat them. However, after I give them a lesson in courtesy, I will dismiss them both.”

“Tadhg, perhaps they truly misunderstood?”

“That doesn’t excuse their failure to knock.”

“Nay, it doesn’t. But I suspect it was just an error in judgment—a mistake. I’m sure it wasn’t done intentionally. Besides, isn’t Meriel David’s daughter and don’t they live in the keep?”

“Aye.” He pressed two fingers to the bridge of his nose.

“I suspect it would be very awkward for ye to dismiss her.”

“Ye are right. But neither can I tolerate that level of disrespect, particularly not from clansmen and women who serve in this keep.” Still Mairead was right, what would this do to David?

“Then perhaps ye could reassign them to another position. The choice to accept or leave would be theirs. Ye will not have thrown them out.”

Tadhg thought about this a moment then began to chuckle. “David won’t let Meriel choose dismissal. Ye’re sure this is acceptable to ye? Many men would say even dismissal would be too lenient a punishment.”

Mairead sighed. “If ye think it would be seen as a sign of weakness, then ye must do what ye think is best. I’m sure once the issue is addressed it isn’t likely to happen again. I don’t want to be the reason for two of your staff to be dismissed within days of my becoming Lady Matheson.”

He put his arms around her. “Mairead, ye are not the reason. Ye are right. It was a terrible error in judgment and it will never happen again. They entered their laird’s chamber without gaining permission or ensuring it was unoccupied and, whether ye were in here or not, that is nearly unforgivable. If ye had not been here, they would have been dismissed before they ever left the room.”

She returned the hug and rested her cheek against his chest. “How ye deal with them is up to ye, but it is all right with me if ye reassign them.”

“Then I will grant ye that. However, they will offer a public apology. Would ye prefer I accept it on your behalf or will ye go with me, my tender-hearted little bride?”

Mairead sighed again. “I don’t want to be seen as weak either. I will go with ye.”

Tadhg tightened his embrace. “Mairead, sweetling, why on earth would anyone have ever called ye a mouse?”

Together they went downstairs to the great hall. A hush fell as they entered. Obviously, the news of what happened had spread rapidly. They took their seats at the table, but Tadhg did not give the signal to serve the meal immediately. He ordered Meriel and Kester to present themselves.

Before Tadhg could say anything to her, Meriel started to explain. “Laird, it was a misunderstanding, an accident—”

“Silence!” The entire hall fell silent. “In spite of the best intentions, misunderstandings and accidents happen and when they do I try to be tolerant of them. However, failing to gain permission to enter my private chamber is neither a misunderstanding nor an accident.” There was an audible gasp in the room suggesting at least a few people were not yet privy to the full story.

“But, Laird—”

He cut her off. “Enough, Meriel! Did ye call out or knock on the door to my chamber before entering it? Did I fail to hear ye?”

“No, but I thought ye weren’t—”

He put up his hand to stop her. “It doesn’t matter what ye thought. Ye should have ensured the room was empty before entering unbidden and failure do that is a level of disrespect I will not tolerate.”

“But I—”

“Do not argue this point further! Surely ye are aware it would be well within my right to have both of ye beaten?” This time the gasp was louder and followed by murmurings.

“
Silence!
” he commanded the hall. “In spite of what ye might deserve, I will not have ye whipped. I had decided to dismiss both of ye and have ye removed from the keep, but on further consideration,” he paused, glancing at Mairead before continuing, “If ye wish to continue working at Cnocreidh, it will be in other positions. Kester, ye may work as a laborer in the stables if ye choose.”

There were shocked looks on many faces. “Laird, I am dreadfully sorry for the intrusion. I’ll work in the stables. Thank ye, for not dismissing me outright.”

Tadhg accepted his apology with a nod. “Kester, your work in the stables should not normally bring ye into the keep, but under no circumstances should ye enter the south tower unless I personally give ye leave to do so.”

“Aye, Laird, thank ye, Laird.” He bowed before leaving the hall.

“Meriel, if ye wish to continue working it will be as a scullery maid.”

“A scullery maid, Laird?” Both the expression on her face and her tone of voice conveyed her disgust at the idea.

At this, her father stood and pounded his fist on the table. “Meriel, how dare ye shame yourself and me in this manner? Laird Matheson has been more than lenient with ye, and he offered ye a fair choice.”

Meriel stood rigidly with her jaw clenched and did not respond. “Meriel, what is your decision?” Tadhg prodded.

She looked livid, and tears pooled in her eyes. It was obvious she believed the punishment was neither fair nor lenient. Finally, she said, “I choose the scullery.”

When she didn’t offer her apology, Tadhg prodded her gently. “Ye will also apologize, Meriel.”

She looked from him to Mairead, her eyes shooting daggers. “I’m sorry, Laird,” she ground out.

Tadhg’s jaw clenched as he stared at Meriel for a moment.

“
Meriel!
” her father thundered.

She scowled at her father, angry tears sliding down her cheeks.

Tadhg sighed; her behavior disappointed him. “Ye will continue to reside in the keep with your family, however, ye also are not permitted to enter the south tower unless I personally give ye leave to do so. Is that understood?”

“Aye, Laird.” She was clearly furious.

“Leave the hall now,” Tadhg ordered.

She looked as if she wanted to protest, but she clamped her mouth shut and left the hall for the west tower.

Tadhg motioned for supper service to begin.

David turned to him. “Laird, I am very sorry. My daughter’s behavior was unconscionable. I appreciate your lenience with her.”

“David, she is nearly a woman grown. I do not hold ye responsible for her actions.”

Elspet also approached the table. “Laird, I too must beg your pardon. I thought I told Meriel to make sure the bath was ready for ye after supper.”

“Elspet, ye have nothing for which to apologize. I am confident your instructions were perfectly clear and even if they weren’t, ye certainly did not prevent them from knocking on the door.”

Mairead had remained silent while Tadhg addressed the issue and she continued to be very quiet through supper. Undoubtedly the whole affair had been distressing to her. Within hours of her arrival, he had learned her reticence increased when she was embarrassed or became uncomfortable. Watching her now was beyond painful. As soon as the meal was over, he whisked her out of the hall, away from the eyes of the clan.

Nine

Mairead woke well before dawn. The events of the previous two days consumed her thoughts. She decided the problem yesterday might have been in assuming things would be as they were in her parents’ home. When they were not, she wasn’t prepared. She needed to learn how to cope with the differences and try again. She whispered St. Brendan’s prayer.

Help me to journey beyond the familiar and into the unknown.

Give me the faith to leave old ways and break fresh ground with You.

Christ of the mysteries, I trust You to be stronger than each storm within me.

I will trust in the darkness and know that my times, even now, are in Your hand.

Tune my spirit to the music of heaven, and somehow, make my obedience count for You.

Unable to return to sleep, she rose quietly and dressed. She did not want to go down to the great hall yet and decided to wait for Tadhg to rise. She went to the cabinet in her solar and took out her lute. Feeling she might be in more need of God’s help today than ever before, she decided perhaps Psalms were in order. She played and sang softly so as not to wake her husband. After losing herself in the music for a while, she looked up to find Tadhg standing in the doorway, listening. “I’m sorry, I didn’t intend to wake ye,” she said, putting her lute on the table.

“Ye didn’t wake me, but I was worried when ye weren’t in bed. Your father didn’t exaggerate about your skill. That was lovely, Mairead. At the risk of making ye blush more than ye already are, I must say I have never heard a more talented musician. Your brothers said ye played several instruments well, but they didn’t mention your voice. What were ye singing?”

“The prayers of Matins.”

“Your voice is as pure and sweet as ye are.”

“I don’t usually sing where people can hear me,” she said, blushing deeply as he predicted.

He frowned. “Well, lass, ye will sing where I can hear ye.”

She smiled at the odd command. “If ye wish, Laird. Shall we go down and break our fast now?”

“Sing something else for me first.”

Mairead picked up the lute and thought a moment. Then with a sly grin, she played a melody to which she sang the words of a Psalm,
Domine labia mea aperies et os meum adnuntiabit laudem tuam.

He laughed when the meaning of the words she sang sunk in. “Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall sing your praise.”

When she finished, they went down to the great hall. Over their breakfast, Tadhg asked, “Did ye speak with Oren yesterday?”

“Nay, I didn’t.”

“I thought ye were going to discuss the planning of meals?” He looked slightly disappointed.

“That was my intention but I wasn’t able to.”

“Mairead, sweetling, ye are the mistress here. Ye can’t let your shyness keep ye from your responsibilities.”

“It—it isn’t that, really.”

“Then why haven’t ye spoken to Oren yet?

“I would have, but he hasn’t been here. Apparently he hasn’t been well. I will speak to him today if he is feeling better.”

“That’s odd. I can’t ever remember Oren being ill.”

This came as no surprise to Mairead. Based on the steward’s behavior toward her for the last two days, she was sure his sudden illness was simply an excuse to avoid her. She wanted to get off on the right foot today so she thought this might be a good time to clarify Tadhg’s expectations. “Tadhg, I assumed when we were married ye would want me to run all aspects of your household, however, yesterday it occurred to me we had never really spoken much about it.”

He looked a bit puzzled and slightly irritated by the question. “Aye, Mairead, I do expect ye to run my household. Has something made ye think otherwise?”

“Nay, not really. I just wanted to make sure. I know Cnocreidh has been without a mistress for a long time, and I didn’t want to do anything wrong or overstep any bounds.”

“Ye are Lady Matheson and therefore second only to me here. My staff knows that. It goes without saying, Mairead.” There was the smallest bit of exasperation in his tone.

“That is good to know.” At his irritation, she wanted to tell him that although they might “know” his expectations, some of his staff certainly didn’t behave that way. However, she didn’t wish to disappoint him or cause a problem by telling him about the rudeness she had encountered just yet.

“Where is this coming from? Is there something specific ye are concerned about, little one?”

“Aye, I suppose there is. There is something I want to do. It is something my mother always believed was important, but I won’t do it if ye don’t think I should.”

“What is it ye want to do?”

“My mother briefly reviewed the steward’s books on a daily basis so she would know details about inventories and so forth. Also, several times a year, she reviewed the books in more detail, or more recently asked me to do it. It isn’t that she didn’t trust our steward, but she thought it was important.”

Tadhg considered this momentarily. “Aye, that seems like a perfectly reasonable thing to do. In fact, while I have seen the books regularly, I haven’t ever studied them in great detail, and I think it is a good idea to do so. Would ye prefer for me to review them?”

“Nay, I would be happy to do it, if ye wish.”

“Is this what ye were worried about? Asking Oren to see his records?”

“I just wanted to be sure I didn’t cause any offense.”

“Ye have a gentle heart, lass, and I am sure ye would never intentionally cause anyone offense. Ye are the lady here. Ye need to stop worrying about things like this.” She smiled but said no more.

After they had finished their light morning meal Tadhg left for the training fields, and Mairead remained in the great hall. She sent for Elspet, who joined her almost immediately. “Good morning, my lady, is there something ye need?”

Mairead smiled warmly. “Aye, I need to speak with Oren before he begins his work today. I will wait for him here.”

Elspet nodded. “Certainly, I will make sure he finds ye immediately. I will also ask him where your harp is stored so it can be brought to the great hall.”

“I think perhaps it should be put in my solar instead of the hall.”

“Aye, my lady, I will see to it.”

“Another thing, I would also like for a fire to be laid in the hearth of my solar. I think there may have been some confusion in that regard over the past few days.”