The Highlander's Bride (11 page)

“You are new here, Laurel, and I cannot be assured of your safety unless you remain in here. Within these walls, someone will be on hand to help and see to your needs. You will stay here, you will sleep in my mother’s chambers, and I will not be saying so again.”

Laurel saw the cold anger in his eyes and knew she was defeated. She also realized that there was quite a large crowd gathering listening to them argue. She had never been so embarrassed. Her pride had been battered these past few days, and each time it had been due to an argument with this hulking man. Whether she continued her unladylike behavior or gave in to his demands, her pride was going to take another blow. It surely did not matter if she stayed here now. No one would believe she was a lady after this display.

“Fine,” she murmured with undertones of frustration, “but Conor, I promised you then, and I will promise you again right now, you
will
rue this.”

Conor laughed aloud. The woman did have spirit and courage. No one could deny that. And as she stood in the moonlight with her eyes dark as a North Sea storm, he could not imagine anything more lovely.

“I imagine I will, love. But it will have to be when I return. I leave on the morrow to ride with Cole and Laird Schellden.”

The news startled Laurel and her anger was instantly, if only temporarily, forgotten. “Cole? Why is he going with you?”

“He is to train as one of Schellden’s guardsmen.” Conor was surprised at his response. He rarely explained himself to anyone. He was feeling guilty about leaving her so soon and not easing her stay at the keep. And so he found himself trying to calm Laurel and defend his immediate departure. If he hadn’t been caught so off-guard, he probably would have questioned Laurel’s change in attitude and the mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Conor,” Laurel said in an altogether different, almost sweet tone. “The keep is not habitable in its current conditions. Do you not agree?” She did not wait for a response. “If I am to stay here, surely it would not be too much to ask if I could make this place livable. Just a few changes. I assure you—they would only improve the living conditions here.” She then smiled at him beseechingly.
Let’s see if grandfather was correct,
Laurel thought.
Will I catch more bees with honey?

“Do not make any changes that cannot be undone.”

“Of course, my laird. And how long will you be gone?”

“About a fortnight I expect. And, Laurel, do not call me laird.”

“I wish you a good journey, Conor,” she said and then followed it with a curtsy, looking completely submissive. He would realize later that her demeanor alone should have been ample warning.

The next morning, Laurel was eager to begin making changes to the keep. She had one fortnight to do what should take months. If Conor thought to place her as token lady of the keep, he would soon regret that idea. She would assume the role and all the responsibilities and decisions that came with it. If Conor didn’t like the changes when he returned, well, she had warned him to let her stay at the cottage. But, if she was going to be forced to live somewhere, that place was going to be livable.

“Milady?” came a quiet voice outside her door.

“Come in, please.” She smiled at the young woman who walked in. She had large brown eyes that matched her dark brown hair exploding with volumes of tight curls. She seemed somewhat unsure of herself and what to do next as she repeatedly pressed her hands together.

“I…I came to help you this morning, milady. The laird said I was to assist you and act as your lady’s maid.”

“Hmm. What is your name?”

The dark-haired young woman wrenched her hands together even tighter. “Brighid, milady.”

Laurel walked over and took Brighid’s hands in her own in an effort to calm her. “Did Conor’s mother have a lady’s maid?”

“I don’t recall that she did, milady. She had chambermaids assist her for things like bathing and cleaning.”

Laurel smiled and finally made eye contact with the nervous woman. She gave her hands a final squeeze and let them go.

“Well, I, too, have never had a personal maid, and I don’t really relish the idea of starting the practice now. But I would love to be friends, Brighid, and to do that you must first call me Laurel.”

“Aye, milady…Laurel.” Brighid, much calmer now, began to consider the gossip about the new lady of the keep. Word had been spreading all morning about how the English guest had challenged the great Laird McTiernay and had lived to tell about it. People were saying she even persuaded him to let her make changes while he was gone. Everyone was curious to find out what she had meant.

When Laird McTiernay told Brighid that it was going to be her responsibility to tend to his guest, she nearly refused. She had never assisted a lady before, and she expected tending an English one would be especially displeasing. Then, when every conversation this morning centered on how the Englishwoman tried to defy their laird, Brighid had further assumed that the woman was both daft and ungrateful. However, the lady who stood in front of her matched none of her expectations. She was warm, kind, and gracious. Brighid was completely disarmed and suddenly found herself smiling in return.

“Wonderful!” Laurel exclaimed. “That is much better. I have so many plans and very little time to accomplish them. I am hoping to enlist help from you and, with any luck, Glynis. Can you find her for me? Do you know of any others who are looking for work in the manor?”

“Work here? In the keep? Why, aye, milady—Laurel. Many would like to work here, but the laird has forbidden it.”

Laurel nodded as if she were not surprised. “Yes, but that has all changed. Laird McTiernay agreed to my request to make some changes around here, and I can think of no better time than the present to begin. It is easy to believe, as you approach this castle, that you are about to enter paradise, only to have that impression ripped away the moment you smell the stench drifting through the halls. I have no idea how anyone can live here, but I certainly cannot, not as it is.”

Laurel paused a moment, then looked slightly contrite. “I apologize for my speech. My tongue sometimes doesn’t know when to stop. But you have to agree cleaning the keep is a good idea. Would you help?”

Brighid’s head bobbed up and down. The idea of improving the castle would be welcomed by many of the clan who had thought its current condition a shame.

Laurel smiled enthusiastically. “Wonderful! Please go find Glynis and gather anyone else you know who wants work. Any age will do as long as you or Glynis feel they are appropriate. Make sure they are hard workers and meet me in the great hall.”

“Aye, milady,” Brighid replied, smiling as she vanished down the stairs. She finally understood all she’d heard that morning. The laird had indeed found himself a lady for McTiernay Castle, whether or not the laird or Lady Laurel realized it yet.

Laurel went to the window and took a few deep breaths. Enlisting help was the first step down this risky path. She was committed. Now was not the time for second-guessing, it was the time to get organized, she told herself as she left her chambers a few minutes later.

When she reached the lower hall, Laurel realized that she was completely turned around. She was going to have to ask someone for directions to the great hall.

Laurel spied some soldiers conversing across the room as they sat on stools, eating leftovers from the previous night. This particular disgusting habit was going to cease today, she thought. Food should be prepared, eaten, and then disposed of. Not left lying around rotting for the next course. She wondered how these highlanders maintained their health.

“Excuse me, gentlemen?”

The men were startled. This was the one from last night, the one that had defied the laird and lived to tell about it. Seeing her now in the sunlight, they began to understand why. She was the most arresting woman they had ever seen. Her hair was like liquid gold that glistened in the light streaming from the windows.

“Can you tell me how to get to the great hall?”

They all clamored to their feet in response, each trying to get her attention. “I will show you, milady,” eagerly offered one tall soldier as he was elbowed in the ribs by another.

“She looked at me, didn’t you, milady? I will show you how to get there.”

“No doubt taking the long way too, Arlen.”

“I will be showing the lady. I am ranking soldier here,” remarked a broad-shouldered man, effectively ending the verbal debate. But, by the looks in the other soldiers’ eyes, Laurel guessed that they would resume their argument once she had left.

“Milady,” said the large soldier, indicating to turn left as they exited the lower hall.

“Thank you for your assistance. What is your name?”

“They call me Buzz, milady.”

“Buzz, well, that is an interesting name. My name is Laurel, and I would really appreciate it if you could learn to call me by my name rather than a title.”

“It would not be proper to refer to the laird’s woman by her name.”

That comment had her sputtering. “I can assure you, Buzz, that I am not the laird’s woman. Nor does he wish me to be. Therefore, continuing to call me my lady would not be appropriate. Do you understand?”

Buzz looked her directly in the eye, grinned, and responded with an intentional, “Aye, milady.”

Laurel tried to grimace in return, but it was impossible to do with him smiling at her. These highlanders were an immovable bunch once they had an idea in their head, she thought, as she followed his directions to a sizeable building on the opposite side of the north wall.

Buzz opened a large door into a grand hallway. The hall ceiling was vaulted and given an elaborate appearance by the addition of large wooden beams. Against the east far wall was a canopied fireplace. The high table was at the far end of the room, lit by a large window set in the north wall. The pointed doorway behind the high table led to wall closets, one probably housed a latrine. A timber partition, like that of the lower hall, screened the hall itself from the service area.

“Here is the great hall, milady.”

“I thought it would be larger than the lower hall, but it seems somewhat smaller. Though much grander.”

“Aye, it seems that way, milady, but it can sit a much larger crowd than that of the lower hall depending on how the tables in the room are arranged. Right now it is set up for the laird to dine with his elite guard. If guests are about, they will also dine in this hall. Years ago, this was the private hall where the McTiernay family gathered and had celebrations.”

Laurel could see why. It was a large open room, grandly decorated, but it had a warm inviting feel as well. With the exception of new rushes and a cleaning, this room was in the least need of help.

Behind her, another fireplace was situated to allow for heating on both sides of the room when partitioned. She looked around and wondered what it would be like to entertain friends and family here.

She imagined Conor sitting on the raised dais of wood at the upped end of the hall opposite the entrance and indulged in a fleeting dream of her and Conor occupying the massive chairs, enjoying company with their friends and guests.

Reality set in again. She noticed that only a couple of permanent tables were set up. Most must be either in the lower hall or dismantled when not in use.

“Thank you. And, Buzz,” he stopped and turned back, “I may need your help with some projects in the next day or two. Whom should I ask for assistance?”

“I will send a dozen men for your service. Will that suffice, milady?”

Laurel walked over to one of the grand windows overlooking the ravine. Beyond it were mountains with white tops interspersed with green countryside and fields of trees. One could lose time just looking at these highlands. “Yes, that will suffice for now. Thank you, Buzz.”

Buzz left and went out into the courtyard taking in deep breaths of cool air. It should be a crime to look that pretty and be off limits. Her smile could induce armies to do any bidding. It was more than her beauty, he reflected. It was the way she carried herself.

Her manner was similar to that of the laird, he realized. Like she was in control, naturally commanding respect and agreement. One just found himself following their lead, willingly. The only time he had seen his laird lose his composure was last night in the courtyard, shouting at this lady he just left. He now understood what Glynis had been saying all morning. She was indeed the laird’s lady.

A big grin formed on Buzz’s face as he went to find the soldiers who would help the future Lady McTiernay. He had to pick them with care. Green, easily besotted boys could get themselves killed if they challenged the laird for her hand. No. He needed to find happily married soldiers. He would go speak with Finn and, together, they would hand pick each soldier who would work with her until their laird’s return.

Glynis and Brighid gathered several women and a few men to join Laurel in the Great Hall. For some, it was their first time in the large reception area, and all seemed very impressed by its grandeur. It took several moments before Laurel had everyone’s attention, and then several more to convince them that she meant every word.

“Milady, are you saying that you want to fix the entire keep?” asked an older man who looked quite spry and active despite his years.

“Well, I don’t know if I would put it like that exactly, um…uh…”

“You can call me Dooly, milady.” Dooly had been a farmer for most of his life. Now that his sons had taken over working the land, he was eager to provide a good day’s work at the keep, but was unwilling to go against his laird’s wishes.

“Dudley, then.”

“Umm, Dooly.”

“Did you say ‘Dooly’?” she questioned, and when he nodded, she continued, “So, where was I?”

“You was explainin’ how you were going to fix the keep,” said one of the younger boys.

“Oh, yes, thank you. Torrance, correct?”

“Aye, mum. But mostly peoples call me Torrey.”

“So many names, but I thank you for your assistance. But, back to Dooly’s comment about the keep. I do not want to fix the castle. I believe it is fairly structurally sound.”

“Miss? What exactly do you mean by sound? Are you hearin’ noises?”

“I mean that it is safe.”

“Well, if it is safe, why do we need to fix it?” asked Torrey’s friend.

“Excellent question. I am referring to the cleanliness of the keep. Including the maintenance, upkeep and general approach to how people eat, sleep, bathe, etc. All of these functions are terribly lacking.”

“Are you sure about this, lass?” asked an older gentleman named Fallon. A burly man, Fallon was built like an ox, but he was not nearly as tall as the highland soldiers she had seen. He had red frizzy hair and a dark red beard just beginning to gray. Despite his appearance, he carried himself with confidence and seemed to comprehend her ideas for change.

“I assure all of you that I discussed and received the laird’s blessing to make changes to the keep.”

“But, lass, are you sure that he understands exactly what you be changing?” Fallon’s voice held an element of command as he challenged her.

Laurel’s patience snapped. “I will say this one more time. I
will
be making changes. Laird McTiernay has forbidden me to live elsewhere, and I will
not
live in the filthy heap this place has become since his mother passed. I never met Lady McTiernay, but I can see from some of the rooms she spent time in that she would not be happy about the state of her keep. This place is unacceptable for receiving visitors. If I am to live here, and it seems I must, I will be making changes. This place—at least until spring—will run like a well-organized castle. It will be clean, it will be orderly, and it will be fit for guests!” Just in time, she stopped herself from stamping her foot.

As she glanced around the crowd after her small tirade, she suddenly felt ashamed. Once again, she had lost control of her temper and, once again, it was all Conor’s fault. If he had just let her stay in the cottage, she could have faded into the background. Now, here she was, sounding like a shrew in front of his clan.

“Now I understand, milady,” remarked Fallon, nodding his head.

“Aye, it is all clear now that you have explained it,” added Dooly.

“Oh, aye,” said one of the girls in the back. Laurel could not remember her name. “You are now the Lady of the Keep.”

“Lady of the…? No, no. I am
not
the lady of the…the…,” she stammered. “I am just a guest who refuses to live like a…a…McTiernay…man!” Her exasperation with these highlanders did not seem to be limited to their soldiers.

The group now smiled again, giving the impression that they knew some secret she did not. It was if her anger fueled cooperation. She took several deep breaths and tried to regain her composure. But, before she could, the eclectic group of highlanders rendered her speechless once again.