Page 64 of When A Laird Loves A Lady
Marion’s eyes burned, but as theservant woman promised to bring up water for her to bathe, she surveyed theroom and dazedly took in her husband’s bedchamber. A beautiful tapestry hungover his bed, and there were two matching chairs in the right corner with atable between them. Marion stared at the table where something lay, and her guttwisted with the realization that she was looking at an unfinished tapestry ofembroidery.
“That was my lady Catriona’s,” theservant quickly supplied. Marion had been concentrating so hard on trying todetermine what she’d been looking at that she jerked at the woman’s words.
The woman hurried past Marion andstopped at the tapestry. “I’m sorry, my lady. If I’d known the MacLeod wasgoing to bring home a new wife, I’d have cleaned the room. I did try afore, buthe forbade me clearing any of her possessions.” The servant snatched up thetapestry. “I’m sure he’ll want me to gather them now, though.”
“I’m not so sure,” Marion replied,a mixture of hope and insecurity flowing through her. She certainly did notexpect Iain to remove Catriona from his room and heart, but if he could makespace for Marion she could bear it. Still, the clearing of Catriona’s thingswould be his to do—and only when he was ready. “You should leave them.”
The woman’s eyes rounded, but shedropped the tapestry and hurried from the room, mumbling that she’d be backshortly with water. Marion eyed her surroundings. She knew Catriona had beendead two years now because she had asked Angus, but it was painfully obviousstanding among her things just how greatly Iain still mourned his dead wife.What else of Catriona’s remained? Suddenly, Marion had a burning desire toknow. She strode over to a trunk and, with some effort, opened it. Gowns, daintyslippers, and a hairbrush and hair combs filled the trunk. A short inspectionof the rest of the room revealed that the tapestry had been the only thing leftout. Everything else of Catriona’s appeared to be in the trunk.
Marion walked slowly to the tableand picked up the embroidery. Two intertwined hearts had been stitched on thefabric, along with the Gaelic worddaonnan, which meantalways.She knew the word because Angus had taught her a bit of the language.
Marion swallowed the large lump inher throat. Had Catriona known she was dying and wanted to leave somethingbehind for Iain to look upon and think of her? It seemed likely so, but thewoman must have known she didn’t need to leave anything. Iain would neverforget his first wife, and Marion would not wish it to be any other way.
Before she could contemplate itmore, a knock came at the door, and Marion opened it to find two youngservants. She quickly directed the boys to bring in the wooden tub and bucketsof water they carried. Once everything was set up, they informed Marion supperwould be served shortly and told her where the great hall could be found.
Marion hastily bathed, washed herhair, and combed it out, and then she sat on the bed to rest her eyes for amoment. A few minutes later, she was lying on her back and snoring soundly.
Fifteen
Marion woke with a start and a yelp. Bridgetteloomed over her in the darkness that filled the room, except for the candelabraBridgette held, which lit her face in an orange glow. “Well,” Bridgette said,eyeing Marion with a smile, “this certainly explains why ye’ve not come forsupper.”
Marion glanced down and gasped asshe realized the linen she’d wrapped around her body when she’d gotten out ofthe tub had slipped down to her stomach. She snatched it up. “You could havesaid something,” she grumbled, heat making her cool skin instantly burn.
“I just did,” Bridgette repliedwith amusement. “I’ve the same parts as ye. Now, be quick. Supper has been onfor some time now, and your absence has been noted.”
Marion leaped to her feet. “DidIain send you to get me?”
“Nay. Angus did.”
Marion frowned. “Surely Iain seesI’m not there.”
“Well, Lachlan does nae seem to seeI’m there at all, so maybe it’s a problem with all MacLeod men. He’s nae evengiven me a proper greeting, and I dressed in one of my finest gowns for him. Ihad some created in a fashion I saw at a fair, more like the one ye werewearing when I met ye but nae so loose. It does nae seem to matter, though. Icould prance through the hall naked and Lachlan MacLeod would nae see me,”Bridgette grumbled.
“You look lovely,” Marion offered,eyeing the rumpled, travel-worn gown that lay out on the bed, the one thatBridgette had loaned her at the MacLean hold. Her skin itched with the thoughtof putting on the gown so stiff with dirt.
Bridgette snickered, and Marionlooked at her friend, who was motioning to the chair in the corner. “I broughtye a clean gown. I thought ye might nae wish to come down in the other one.”
Marion hugged her. “You are sokind.”
“Come.” Bridgette waved her to thechair. “It’s one of my new gowns, I like ye that much.”
Happy tears pricked Marion’s eyes.She had a friend. She had a husband that was kind, brave, respectful, andseemed to be softening—she hoped—and now she had a home where she would, withgood fortune, never feel like an outlander again.
Bridgette held up the gown, andMarion slipped into it. With Bridgette’s help, she was laced quickly, and thenBridgette stepped back.
“Ye look stunning!” she exclaimed.
Marion was about to thank her, butBridgette’s sudden fierce frown stopped her.
“What is it?” Marion asked,reaching for her friend.
“Ye look so bonny that Lachlan willlikely stare at ye the rest of the night and still nae see me.”
Marion could feel the blush on hercheeks. She waved a hand at Bridgette. “That’s silly. You are a vision.”
Bridgette quirked her mouth. “I ken!”she said with a giggle. “Which is why I kinnae understand why the one man Iwant to see me dunnae. All these other men fall over themselves to be near me,except Lachlan. It’s as if he does nae even ken I’m there.”
“You poor, poor thing,” Marioncooed sarcastically. “It must be difficult to be wanted by many.”
