Page 13 of Bride of the Wicked Laird
Davina found this talk confusing. Only two nights ago, she’d been running from the convent with no idea of where she might run to. Her only thought had been to travel as far as she could from the ministrations of Dame Maria. No matter who her family might be, she was sure of one thing. They cared little for her wellbeing for they had preferred to leave her without care orconcern, lost to the world. Now she was seated in a castle with a laird and his family, and they had made her more welcome than she’d ever felt in her life.
At that moment, a young scullery maid entered. “Yer ladyship, the laird has sent a message that he wishes tae dine wi’ ye two ladies in the feasting room and asks that ye attend him there within the hour.”
“Thank ye lass.” The maid bobbed a quick curtsy and hastened from the room.
Aileen turned to Davina. “Me goodness, it is already almost time fer dinner. The day has gone by so quickly. I hardly realized. D’ye wish tae return tae yer cottage tae rest awhile and wash up before we meet wi’ me husband and Laird Everard?
Davina nodded and rose to her feet, thanking Aileen for all her help during the day. “I shall find me way back tae the cottage and, as ye’ve already shown me how tae find the feasting hall I will meet ye there.” She bobbed a curtsy and turned and fled.
Once she was on her own in the cottage she took several deep breaths, exhaling slowly, so as to steady her fast-beating heart and settle her tumbling thoughts. There was so much to take in.
She splashed water on her face and hands from the basin and jug the maids had set on the table, untied her braids and brushed her hair. Tomorrow she would start in the herb garden with Healer Broderick and knew she would be much more comfortable once she was working there.
As she crossed the courtyard, heading for the path that would take her to the feasting hall, she saw Mildred coming toward her.
“Ah, Mistress Davina. The laird asked me tae escort ye tae the hall tae dine as he was unsure if ye would find it on yer own.”
She followed Mildred along the path and entered the hall through a large oak door. This was a good-sized room, but not as overwhelming as she’d anticipated. Each wall was hung with furs and heavy woolen tapestries depicting pleasant pastoral scenes or scenes of battle. The granite floor was covered in rushes and woven carpets, and scented with strewing herbs. A large fire blazed in the fireplace at one end of the room. Overall, the effect was warm and inviting.
Davina felt her shoulders relax as she took in her surroundings. This was not a forbidding, cold place as she’d feared it might be. In no way did it resemble the convent, except for its soaring, vaulted ceiling, reminiscent of the chapel at Iona.
A smile curled her lips as she walked forward.
Aileen was seated at a long table beside another man who looked remarkably like Laird Everard and Davina guessed this was Maxwell MacNeil, the laird’s brother and Aileen’s husband. The laird was seated at the head of the table, with his brother at his right and Hugo MacRae at his left. The two men were deep in conversation.
As Davina walked across the paved floor to the table, Aileen looked up and waved an encouraging hand.
The two men rose to their feet bowing slightly. Everard courteously introduced his brother, who smiled and bobbed his head in a courtly gesture.
The brothers were so alike in appearance. Both tall and dark. But where it seemed fair to say Maxwell had the bearing of a warrior, Everard had the bearing of a nobleman. Her heart jumped as she lost herself for a moment, admiring his broad shoulders, his strong arms, and the chiseled features of his profile.
He really is a most beautiful man.
Everard indicated the seat beside his advisor, Hugo, and she slipped onto the wide bench and sat, feeling altogether like an outsider. It all seemed so grand and foreign to her after the austere and subdued atmosphere of the convent.
All three turned their attention to Davina.
Everard’s deep voice was warm and full of interest as he spoke to Davina. “Are ye recovering from yer travails and yer sickness, Mistress Davina?”
She nodded, smiling. “I am much recovered, me laird. I am so grateful fer all yer assistance. Me cottage is more than I could have hoped fer and everything here is perfect.” Her cheeks burned as she caught the laird’s blue-eyed gaze on her.
Although he kept his attention focused on Davina, he threw a glance at Aileen, who sat smiling beside her husband.
“And what have ye lasses been attending tae this morning?”
“Why the Lady Aileen has been very generous in devoting her time tae showing me the castle and its surrounds. I made the acquaintance of Healer Broderick and I hope tae be of service tae him in the herb garden and at the infirmary.”
A broad smile split Everard’s face. “I am pleased tae hear ye are finding a sanctuary here and that ye will soon feel more settled.”
Aileen joined in. “Mildred and Broderick are making sure Mistress Davina is well looked-after. And Jonnet is busy stitching some new gowns fer her.”
Still smiling, Everard studied her for a brief moment. As she found herself melting under his gaze, she was certain his eyes were sparkling.
“I very much look forward tae seeing Mistress Davina in her new gowns.”
The breath seemed to have left her body as she smiled up at him through her lashes. “I thank ye, me laird.”
Was thisthing– like sparks from the fire dancing between her and Everard – what they called… flirting? She’d heard flirting spoken of in hushed tones among the younger novices at Iona, but until this moment, she’d no idea what it meant. And, if thiswasflirting, was it always accompanied by this same flutteringshe felt now in her belly and the same rush of warmth through her veins?
