Maggie Mine (7 page)

Relief seemed to swell free throughout the bailey.

A sturdy-looking man with short brown hair and an air of authority stepped forward from the group of Middleham soldiers. He met Nicholas’ gaze and nodded toward the embarrassed-looking young mother and the bold child. “Annie is my daughter, My Lord. I apologize for her improper behavior.” He drew in a breath. “I’m Sir Richard Thornley, the stand-in bailiff here.”

Nicholas caught Maggie’s warning look, as if he would be angry with the daring little girl. He sent her a sharp returning look telling her that he would handle the matter. He dismounted and went to stand in front of the anxious man. “There is nothing to apologize for. In fact, I admire your daughter’s quick defense of someone she has only met. She will do you proud as a daughter.”

Again, relief flowed around him. He nodded toward his
soldiers
. “If you would help these men settle in and find places for them to stay, I would appreciate it. After I get Lady Urquhart and Fia settled into their chambers, I would like to meet with you. Have my first, Sir Gerald, join us as well.”

“Of course, My Lord.” Richard motioned a tall and somewhat lean man over. “Take these men to the stable and help see to their horses. I shall be along directly.”

He turned back to Nicholas, looking uncomfortable. “Your betrothed arrived just a couple of days ago. I’m actually surprised Lady Stanhope isn’t here to greet you as well.”

Nicholas felt his stomach contract into a tight ball. He supposed he should have expected word of his new lordship at Middleham would reach his holding at Spennithorne. Yet he had hoped to have longer before he went to fetch his betrothed here. In looking around at the gathering of people, he was curious at the determined blank faces he saw now, as if they were keeping their opinions of Lady Stanhope to themselves. That worried him.

A glance toward Maggie found her watching him with something of a lost expression. There was nothing between them, and yet…
.

“Let me through,” a woman said briskly, trying to make her way past the group standing in front of the keep. “I need to greet, Lord Middleham. Move.”

He braced for the arrival of his betrothed, trying to recall her from the one time they’d met at court. She’d been a curvaceous woman with deep mahogany hair. Brown eyes, if he remembered right.

And then a fairly tall and slender brunette wove her way closer. Hazy blue eyes met his puzzled gaze. “You’re not Elizabeth,” he said in confusion.

A thin smile appeared and she shook her head. “I regret to tell you that my poor sister died only a month ago of a fever.”

For a second he didn’t know what to say. Then he said with sincerity, “I am sorry for your loss.” Odd, he felt no real disappointment. Sadness on her behalf, but more a sense of being saved from a duty he hadn’t wanted on his side. “Thank you for delivering the message. I shall have some of my men take you back
—”

“I have nowhere else to go, My Lord.” Her smile turned coquettish, although it did nothing for him. “I’ve sent word to King Edward and have offered to step in for my sister as your betrothed. I’m sure he will have no objection.”

Nicholas was too stunned to speak at first. King Edward would not agree to or force this marriage. He’d even told him during a lull in the battles he wished Nicholas were free to marry someone who would make both him and England a better match. The second sister, the second daughter, of a lowly baron without any real land of value to the crown would not be a consideration for their king. Certainly not for him, either. Yet he did not want to go into the matter out here in front of everyone.

While he mulled the problem over, Mary looked at Maggie. For just a second he thought he saw something close to hatred in her eyes, but then she offered a smile that lit up her face. She was indeed a beautiful woman in spite of her being near skin and bone. He wondered if he’d even seen the other expressions at all. She now appeared warm and sympathetic.

“You poor thing, you look so travel-worn.” Mary smoothed her delicate hands down the sides of her finely made black dress with much ornamentation trim down the front, more elegant than a typical day would warrant. Her hair had been intricately braided and wrapped around her head. She gave a curious eye to Maggie’s simple Highland dress of plaid skirt, chemise, and black fitted bodice. “Would you like me to have the servants prepare you a bath, Lady Urquhart? I am sure you are most eager to remove a layer or so of dirt.”

Without waiting for an answer, she glanced back at the staff still standing nearby. Instead of telling them her request, she fluttered her hands to motion them to do her bidding. No one moved. None had actually heard her quiet comments. She looked distressed, her cheeks turning pink in embarrassment, apparently not realizing she needed to make her request clear to them. She needed to take charge and tell them what she wanted. They couldn’t read her mind. After being around the much bolder Maggie for several weeks now,
Nicholas
felt impatient with a timid woman.

“A bath, please. Lady Urquhart needs a bath prepared,” she stated in a slightly louder tone
, sounding irritated
.

The wind had picked up and when still no one moved, Nicholas assumed they hadn’t heard her request. It was clear she had no familiarity with running a household. She didn’t know how to take charge. Again, he compared her to Maggie and found her seriously lacking.

She faced him, her cheeks flaming even more, worrying her lower lip. “I don’t understand, My Lord. I’ve had trouble getting the staff to do anything I’ve asked of them.”

“Perhaps it is because they can’t hear you when you speak to them. I can barely hear you and I’m standing much closer to you.” He didn’t have time for this. His men needed his instructions. But he needed to make some attempt to settle Maggie and Fia into their new home. Their temporary home, he reminded himself.

He sensed Maggie beside him, knew she could easily handle the situation, but she had no role here other than
as
guest and she was aware of that fact. He also knew she waited to see how he would deal with the matter. Drawing on his limited tolerance with ineptitude, he forced something close to a smile and faced the dozen or so curious people still watching and waiting.

“As Lady Stanhope was trying to convey, she asks that a bath be prepared for Lady Urquhart.
I
ask that you prepare one for her. Her travels have been hard and tiring. A bath would certainly be welcome.”

Several nods of understanding and acknowledgement came his way. Relieved, he added, “I’m sure Lady Urquhart would also appreciate something to eat after she has refreshed herself.”

“Certainly, My Lord. We will take good care of your guest,” stated a rather plump woman with a warm smile. “I’m Abigail, My Lord, your head cook.” She gave him an awkward curtsy and then she began herding the other servants back toward the keep much like a chicken hustling her chicks along.

When he gazed at Maggie, he found her studying the slightly older Lady Stanhope. He could sense she wasn’t impressed by Mary’s offer of
hospitality;
certainly she disapproved of the weak manner in which the woman had attempted to deal with the staff. Mary stood, looking awkward and distressed, until she caught him watching her. Then she raised her chin and smiled once more. He wasn’t sure why, but he feared trouble ahead between the women. Neither woman would be staying here long, if he could help it. But he would not tolerate arguments or strife between them. He had enough to deal with in taking over as the new lord here and making sure all of the men worked well together.

Maggie broke the few seconds of strained silence and called after the departing group. “Please prepare a bath fer Fia as well.”

Mary blinked in puzzlement. “But she’s your…
.
” It was evident she didn’t understand Maggie’s concern for her maid. Staff people normally took care of their own needs. The Lady and Lord of a holding rarely got involved in such a manner.

“Fia has had a rough time traveling, too. A bath would be appreciated,” Maggie countered, her mouth tightening in a stubborn line.

Abigail turned back and smiled in approval. “’Tis no problem, My Lady.”

Fia looked uncomfortable, but grateful. She hurried to catch up with the others. “I shall help prepare the baths.”

“I’m sorry,” Mary said with an apologetic glance at Nicholas. “I suppose I should have thought about her as well.”

“The request was beyond the norm, but then Lady Urquhart and Fia are very close.” Nicholas found he respected Maggie even more for her concern for her friend.

“I will remember that, My Lord.” Mary looked toward the keep and the people hurriedly walking back inside. “I will go make sure the cooks find something for your guest to eat for now. And Fia, too, I assume. Then I will direct them about preparing the evening’s sup.” She turned to walk away.

Even though her statement had been quietly stated with no doubt good intentions, Nicholas didn’t like the way she tried to settle into his household and take the place of what would normally be the lady of the castle’s duties. The thought reminded him of her announcement that she planned to take her sister’s place and she felt her future lie in becoming his wife. She was pretty enough and would not be a hardship to bed, but other than that, he did not see them as in any way suiting. They needed to talk. Soon.

“
Aye
,” he said, “you may do so for this eve, Lady Stanhope.”

She stopped to peer back at him. “I don’t understand, My Lord. I am only trying to
—”

“Beginning tomorrow, I would ask Lady Urquhart to take over the daily running duties of Middleham’s keep,” he said abruptly. He hoped he wouldn’t later regret his sudden decision.

One of Maggie’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “I can, of course. But…
.
”

Mary blinked in surprise, a
definite
hint of disapproval in her expression. “Why would you do that? Why would you have the staff get used to Lady Urquhart’s directions when she will be here but a short time? I am pleased to offer my help in this manner, since it will be my duty soon anyway.”

Gerald cleared his throat behind them. “I believe I will go see to the horses.”

Nicholas had gotten so caught up in this minor problem between the women that he’d forgotten Gerald and a few of his men were still waiting nearby. It irritated him that they witnessed this scene. He gave a curt nod to his first knight and watched Gerald walk away leading both his and Nicholas’s horses, obviously eager to get away from the strained situation. The handful of men followed him. Nicholas considered just walking off as well. But he wasn’t a coward. He would settle this matter and as soon as he had a few words with Richard and Gerald, he would have a serious talk with Mary.

Maggie spoke before he could gather his thoughts. “Ye’ve n’ver guided a castle’s staff, have ye, Lady Stanhope?”

“No, but I’m sure I can learn how. It can’t be all that difficult.” She gave him a
determined look
.

Maggie snorted and drew a disapproving
glance
from Nicholas, but she boldly returned
it
. “’Tis not as easy ye seem to think.”

Her thin shoulders thrust back
,
Mary showed a bit
of temper
this time. “I can learn.” Now she focused on Nicholas. “I
will
learn if given the chance.”

Nicholas had tired of this discussion. He’d made a decision and would stick by it. “Maggie, Lady Urquhart, is more than competent at running a household. Even for her young age, she has been the lady of the castle of Urquhart for many years. Her people held a great deal of respect for her.
She
will act the lady here until her new betrothal has been arranged.”

Mary’s face reddened in embarrassment. “If that is your wish, My Lord.”

Now he felt guilty. “Perhaps Lady Urquhart can guide you in how to manage a household. Until she leaves. Until you leave as well.”

The brief flash of relief in her eyes fled at his reminder that he didn’t intend for her to stay. “But the king
—”

“We will discuss the matter in private, Lady Stanhope. For now I must go see to a few matters with my two first knights.” He didn’t wait around for additional protests. His patience with the situation had faded. He was more than annoyed she’d taken it upon herself to send word to King Edward about her sister’s death and her intention to replace Elizabeth as his betrothed.

He hadn’t gotten more than a dozen feet away when he overheard Mary say, “Apparently you have won for now, Lady Urquhart. But after we talk, I suspect Lord Middleham’s decision will change.”

He hesitated and waited to hear Maggie’s response. She simply said, “There was nay win here fer me. He plans to see me wed quickly to whoever will please his king. I am as much of a burden to him as ye are. Maybe more.”

Oddly her words played over and over in his mind as he walked toward the stables.
Burden? Wed quickly?
Yes, he had been assigned the task by Edward and her family to find her a suitable husband as soon as possible. But, even though she dared to go nose-to-nose with him at times over one issue or another, he realized he would miss her.