Page 73 of The Winter Laird

She placed two fingers in her mouth and whistled once, loud and sharp. Their heads snapped around so fast, Erin let out a giggle.

“Impressive,” Erin murmured. “Teach me how to do that?”

Bri grinned at her, then looked at the men. “I’d like to get inside the kitchens, please.” They parted like the Red Sea, and she swept through them, Erin following closely behind. “Good sir,” Bri called out to one of the men holding a bunch of dead tree branches, “do be so kind as to close the kitchen door behind you.”

“I’ve come to woo the cook,” he replied. “I’m not leaving until she agrees to marry me.”

The other men began protesting and jostling each other again. Bri gave another whistle, followed by a sweet smile. “Tomorrow, you shall all come to the great hall after the midday meal. There, you will talk with me and answer a series of questions, and Keela will have final choice.” She held up her hand at their grumbles. “Be away with you now, if you have any desire to eat whatever that delicious smell is coming from.”

The crowd dispersed and the door was shut, albeit reluctantly.

Bri turned to Keela, who was clutching her spoon like a weapon, and gave her a pitying laugh. “Oh, Keela, we have our work cut out for us with that crowd.”

Keela shook her head in wonder. “I thought you and the laird would choose a mate for me, my lady. I didn’t expect to have to make the decision myself!”

Bri smiled, then got down to business. “Now, Keela, we have a few answers to sort out before we start this process. I need to know where you want to be in the next few years.”

Keela’s face scrunched up. “Well, here, my lady. In the kitchens of this castle, cooking you and the laird tasty meals. I love it.”

Bri nodded, then asked for a piece of parchment and some ink. Her client interview had begun.

* * *

Awkward.

That was the only word Bri could come up with for her interaction with Nioclas at dinner. She’d hoped he would skip it, but as he was a man who ate as much as he could as often as possible, perhaps missing a meal was a bit of a stretch, even for her hopes.

Luckily, she had Erin to keep the conversation from stalling.

“Nick, we really need to find some musical entertainment tomorrow night,” Erin said, reaching for her cup. “It’s important—we need dancing and merriment.”

“Merriment?” he replied. “Where do you expect me to find a minstrel, Erin?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. You know more people than I do, and you’d be paying them, so I think it’s best if you find some.”

Nioclas shook his head in resignation. “Truly, this is your life every day,” he said to Donovan. “Willingly.”

“Aye,” Donovan replied cheerfully.

Aidan shook his head in disgust. “You two are perfect for each other.”

“Thanks.” Erin beamed.

“Do you mind if I invite minstrels to the castle?” Nioclas asked Bri quietly.

“Oh, of course not,” she replied quickly. “We need them to help Keela decide who she’s interested in marrying.”

He looked at her as if she’d gone mad. “I don’t think I care to know the details.”

“Probably not, as it involved about fifty men from the clan standing around the door of the kitchens.” Erin smiled at him. “But don’t worry, Nick. Bri cleared them all out so Keela could continue to make our supper, and she got a lot of questions answered about what Keela wants from her husband, so we have plenty with which to work. It’s going to be so fun.”

“Fun?” he asked.

“Aye. Bri taught me the word. It means full of cheer.”

“Fascinating.” Nioclas turned his eyes on Brianagh. She blushed. “I look forward to this fun. I’ll see to your minstrels, Erin, and perhaps a juggler or two for sport.”

Erin clapped her hands together. “Thank you, Nick! Donovan, you’ll dance with me?”

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