Page 4 of The Trials of Neilina MacKai
“Which is reason enough not to put too much faith in his promises.He needs us now.What about after the women are rescued?Worse what if his plan fails, and we are unable to save mother and daughter?He could easily become angry and blame us rather than take responsibility himself.”
“That is possible.Yet I doubt Dougal would aid him if he thought Rhuad’s character so weak.I encourage you to rely on Dougal’s advice where MacFearann and our men are concerned.”
Seona nodded.Her brother believed in the wisdom of his words, but she would keep her own counsel.Experience, even within her own family, had taught her that too many people tended to react emotionally.They mostly tried to call it logic, but the justifications they used were simply that, justifications and lacking in sound reason.Look at how Raeb had imagined he could rid himself of an unwanted English bride by being rude to her.
“Very well,” she concurred.“Now about departing first thing tomorrow?I cannot leave the preparations for tomorrow’s feast at this point.”
“I’m afraid you must, however.Maeve is perfectly capable of seeing the preparations completed.”
“She has a tendency to overspend.”
“We have sufficient to cover some of Maeve’s love of excess.Nonetheless, I will give her motivation by telling her that a successful feast within the limits you’ve decided will be a test of her ability to manage Dougal’s household should I ever give my permission for them to marry.”
“I can live with that.You are aware that this journey and rescue attempt will involve unexpected expenses.We have some savings, but will have none if I go with MacFearann.”
“I am aware.I am negotiating stud fees with MacTavish, Marr, and a few others.Our stallions are in high demand.I expect to have the savings replaced before you return.”
“You seem to have thought of everything.Have you been expecting MacFearann’s request?”
“Aye, that I have, but I expected it to come sooner.I respect him for waiting until the Guardians granted him the title his brother lost through treason.I can feel for him, nonetheless.Leaving his mother and sister in captivity for more than two years is enough to drive any man to careless action.One thing I’m discovering about Earl Rhuad MacFearann is that he’s anything but careless.”
“So you say.”
“I do, and I know that you’ll hold your own counsel until you have evidence to convince you of what kind of man Rhuad is.”
“True enough.I have little experience of him.He was only here for a short while before you wed, nearly two years gone now.At that time, he occupied himself flirting with our sister Neilina.”
“Has it been that long?I swear I find Jessamyn as intriguing as the day I met her.”
Seona stood.“You are in love, brother.I would expect nothing less”
Heaven save me from falling in love.It turns good sensible people into addlepated fools.
“Now I must hurry to find Maeve, so I can instruct her on what remains to be done for the feast as well as make my preparations for tomorrow’s departure.”
“Take time to visit with Jessamyn before you retire tonight.She’ll worry less if she sees you go willingly instead of out of obligation to duty.”
“Of course.I will worry less for her and your babe, if I see her before I leave.I’ll speak with you at supper.”She left quickly, mentally listing all the things that must be done before morning.
***
WHEN SEONA DESCENDEDto the great hall the following morning, she was greeted with a loud babble of noise.Normally, mornings at Dungarob were quiet, with folk coming in small groups at random times to break their fasts before going about their day’s work.
Not so today.The trestle tables and benches filled the hall.People filled the benches.Servants, many hired just for this occasion, rushed tither and yon, filling cups with wine, ale, or cider.Others served trenchers from large platters of food they carried from one end of the crowded hall to the other.
At the end of the hall opposite the great outer doors, stood the high table.She was amazed to see it dressed in a pristine white cloth and laden with platters heavy with food.The clan’s finest chairs had been brought out to seat the laird, his lady and his honored guests in comfort.And there, next to Raeb, sat Jessamyn, swelled belly and all, laughter and delight shone in her eyes and her smile.
At least her sister-in-law was pleased, which meant Raeb was pleased.Seona, however, was far from happy with this situation.
She had to find Maeve.What was she thinking to start the St.Valentine’s celebration so early?For economy’s sake, if nothing else, she should have waited until the work of the day was past, perhaps until after Vespers.
She searched the crowded room until she found her sister.Maeve was seated at the high table beside Sir Dougal Aitken staring dreamily into his eyes.He stared right back at her.They leaned towards each other with their hands twined together.So closely they sat, a blade of spring grass would not have been able to come between them.
Fury fisted Seona’s hands.She counted to ten, then twenty, waiting for reason to overcome ire.Finally calm, she approached the high table.Many of the crowd seated below the salt stopped her to tell her how impressed they were with this or that part of the meal.She dealt placidly with every interruption when inside all she wanted was to run screaming at her sister and flay the stuffing from her wasteful sibling.
At long last she climbed the steps up to the platform holding the high table and made her way to Maeve.
“Maeve, may I have a word with you, please?”
