Page 15 of Bride of the Wicked Laird
Eillean piped up with, “Ye can count on us all.”
It was dusk by the time they’d returned to Kiessimul and the conversation between Maxwell and Everard had soothed out some of the bumps in their concerns about Davina and the danger she might be in.
“She may nae take kindly tae being shadowed, but I’ll ensure that Mildred keeps an eye on her.” He tied several deft knots in the mooring rope and joined his brother, who was strolling along the slipway to the gate.
“I’ll join ye fer a meal in the solar in an hour’s time.”
Maxwell nodded and sloped off. Everard watched his brother head off, smiling to himself. The newlyweds were so wrapped up in each other’s company he was surprised he’d been able to coax Maxwell away from his beloved to make the trip to the Isle of Vatersay.
He crossed the courtyard, intending to catch up with Davina and see how her first day with Broderick had fared.
He came upon her in the garden and the sight of her made the breath hitch in his throat. She was so intent on the herbs she was collecting that it was several moments before she looked up and registered his presence.
Her serious face changed into a beaming smile and she bobbed a quick curtsey. “Good evening, me laird.”
He grinned. How delightful she looked in the soft twilight, the last rays of the sun catching the streaks of gold and red in her auburn hair, and her bright eyes lighting up with a golden glow.
She brushed her hands and lowered the trug full of various herbs.
“I see ye’ve been fully occupied.”
“Oh yes.” Her voice brimmed with enthusiasm. “It has been a good day. Broderick has been away across the bay fer most of the day and I’ve been busy.”
“I look forward tae hearing more about yer activities. Will ye care tae join meself, the Lady Aileen and me braither Maxwell MacNeil and me advisor, Hugo, fer supper? We’ll be dining in the solar in an hour or so.”
Her cheeks flushed an appealing soft pink and he noted that a day in the sun had deepened the band of freckles across her cheeks.
“Why yes. Ye are very kind. I look forward tae taking supper wi’ ye.” She glanced at her mud-speckled hands. “I will need tae scrub away the soil before then.”
“Very well. I shall see ye in the solar.” He turned and walked off, smiling to himself. He was suddenly seized with hunger and very much looking forward to taking his supper in the solar.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Davina was tired. Her back ached after a day tending the garden, and her head ached after tending several folk who had turned up with only the mildest of injuries. A young mother who’d brought her bairn with a tiny scratch on his hand from a kitten, a limping grey-hair whose knee was aching, and an older woman who complained of nightmares.
Going through Broderick’s supplies in the infirmary she’d found an aloe salve for the bairn’s finger, prepared a poultice for the old man’s knee with a suggestion that he find a place in the sun to rest his leg for a while. She gave the stout woman a package of dried passionflower and sent her home with instructions to brew a small amount each night to drink before she went to sleep.
All-in-all, she was quite certain each of them had only visited the infirmary to settle their curiosity about this new helper of Broderick’s.
Nonetheless, almost miraculously, her aches vanished with the unexpected appearance of Laird Everard. It was impossible to keep herself from smiling as he stopped by, enquiring about her day. She was delighted at the idea of joining the others for super.
After he’d departed, she left her herbs in the infirmary and hastened to her own cottage to tidy herself and scrub every trace of soil from under her fingernails. She took off her grubby pinafore, smoothed out the creases in the linen kirtle and tunic, and brushed her hair.
She was reaching for her woolen cloak, when there came a gentle tap on the door. It was Aileen.
“I thought ye may have forgotten where tae find the solar, so I’m here tae show ye the way.”
Davina smiled at the thoughtful gesture. “Thank ye. I am certain I would have been lost. I have yet tae become familiar with all the corridors and passageways of the castle.”
And there was that tiny fluttering inside at the prospect of taking supper in the company of Laird Everard. She puzzled again over whatever that unaccustomed pleasant feeling could mean as she had never felt like that before.
They entered to solar to find Everard and his brother lounging by the fire in two comfortable chairs. They were laughing as she and Aileen strolled in. Somehow, she’d expected Everard to be busy with more important matters. It hadn’t occurred that he might include some moments of leisure in his day.
The two men rose to their feet and bade them good-evening, waiting as Davina and Aileen took their seats in the armchairs beside them.
In the center of the solar was a round timber table covered in a cloth and with spoons and knives laid out. There was a small jug at the center containing a posy of wildflowers and pansies.
Like the other rooms, the air was scented with lavender and a hint of smoky peat from the fire.
