Page 35 of Bride of the Wicked Laird
“I see she wasnae raised in a convent.”
She looked at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Indeed sir. She hasnae learned good manners. I shall have tae teach her what is correct.”
Their gazes met, and there was a little charge of lightning that flew between them, bringing a smile to his face. They sat before the fire and Feather made a leap straight onto Everard’s lap.
“I dae believe Feather likes ye, me laird.”
His fingers gently stroked the soft fur and Feather purred loudly. He looked down, studying the little scrap curled on his lap. “I believe I like wee Feather, also.”
The fired had burned down and required another log. She looked up at him enquiringly.
“Tae save disturbing yer new friend, me laird, shall I place another piece on the fire?
He laughed. Feather had indeed curled into a ball on his lap and was fast asleep. “Aye lass. ‘Tis a good thought. It would be a shame tae disturb the wee angel.”
Davina got to her feet and picked up a small log which she lowered gingerly onto the fire. Then she picked up the steel poker that leaned beside the stone lintel and stoked the fire with an efficiency that took him by surprise.
He was looking at her curiously as she sat down. “Ye’ve many skills, Mistress Davina. I ken that tending a garden and tending broken bodies are only two of yer accomplishments. D’ye sing? I’m assuming that ye’d have been singing tae the Good Lord every day in the nunnery.”
“I’m told I have a fine voice.”
“And d’ye play an instrument?”
“Aye,” she looked down, a smile on her lips, “but I dinnae feel comfortable speaking of meself.”
He leaned toward her. “Modesty is all very well, but I wish tae learn more about ye. What instrument d’ye play?”
“Theclàrsach, sir. The Highland harp.”
He leaned back, observing her, his hand idly toying with wee Feather’s ears. This lass was quite a conundrum. On the one hand, she was able to work like a peasant, tilling the earthand growing plants. But, on the other, singing and playing the clàrsach were not the usual occupations of the Brides of Christ, who eschewed such earthly delights in favor of silence, prayer and contemplation.
These were the pursuits of a noblewoman.
Once again, his imagination was pricked and the conviction that Davina came from a noble family grew even stronger roots.
“And ye embroider also?”
She shook her head. “Aye, I was put tae sewing and stitching the garments that were frayed or torn and the stockings that needed darning but I also did some embroidery.”
“So I imagine ye ken embroidering with silks as well?” he persisted.
“Mayhap.” She grew thoughtful, raising her eyes as if searching for a memory that eluded her at every turn.
He gestured to a small carved-oak cupboard sitting by the wall, a red silk tassel dangling from its brass handle. “Me sister left an assortment of needles and silks when she left us. Mayhap, if ye wish tae try yer skill at needlework, ye could scour the cupboard tae see if there’s aught there ye might like.”
He did not reveal his thoughts. But if she was trained in fine needlework, that would be another clue to add to his ever-growing suspicions about her birthright.
“Ye’re welcome tae spend yer time in the solar whenever ye wish it.”
She laughed. “Thank ye. But I believe all me time is required in the garden and in the infirmary.”
“Ye choose what ye like best. However, I admit, I look forward tae hearing the sweet-toned, mellow sounds of theclàrsachand a wee song from yerself.”
“D’ye have an instrument here, me laird?” Her eyes had brightened and it was clear to him that this accomplishment was one that had brought her great cheer at some time in her past. Mayhap she’d leaned to play when only a bairn.
“Aye. There’s one me maither used tae play. I shall ask the servants tae bring it from the chapel and see tae its preparedness. Since her passing, I’ve nae heard those tender notes played at Kiessimul. It would be a joy tae a tae hear the music again.” He sipped his whisky. “Why ‘tis just as well I purchased some wire from our tinker friend in the village today.”
What he didn’t mention, was that he’d used the purchase of the wire as an excuse to have his private words with the Jacob, the tinker. He smiled to himself, aware that at this moment the tinker was most likely already on his way to Iona to glean what he could about Davina’s past.
