Page 5 of Bride of the Wicked Laird (Sparks and Tartans: The MacKinnon Clan’s Romance #11)

CHAPTER FIVE

A fter breaking her fast with porridge, honey and cream, Davina had collected a posy of wildflowers she’d discovered growing around the cottage. She had just finished arranging them in an empty jar she’d found in the grass, when there was a sudden tapping on the door.

To her relief, when she opened the door a crack, she saw Mildred standing there, with a tall lass with flaming red hair. Both of them smiled at her reassuringly.

“May we come in, Mistress Davina?”

“Of course, of course,” Davina flung the door wide. “I am sorry, but I am still a wee bit afeared.”

Mildred stepped into the cottage. “I want ye tae meet the laird’s sister-in-law, Lady Aileen.”

Davina curtsied as Aileen entered.

“I’ll be off tae the kitchen tae ask them tae prepare some sweetmeats and a rosewater drink fer ye both.” With that Mildred departed leaving Aileen and Davina to chat together.

“What pretty flowers,” Aileen admired the little arrangement Davina had placed on the table.

That brought a smile from Davina, who had been looking rather solemn until that moment. “Why yes,” she pointed to the yellow flowers. “I love buttercups, dandelions, but most of all these gentians and the bluebells.”

“Ye ken a lot about flowers and plants?”

“Mayhap the laird has told ye I am from the Convent at Iona?”

Aileen nodded. “Aye, he told us a little of yer story.”

Davina felt her cheeks redden. “When I was there, I worked in the garden.”

“Then ye must visit our house on the island, where I wish tae make a garden. I’ve spent most of me days at sea and I’m nae one fer gardening. Mayhap ye can advise me.”

“I would be most happy tae dae so. I cannae imagine spending me life at sea.”

“Then ye can share some of yer knowledge of gardening and I may tell ye about sailing and the sea.”

“I’m afraid I was most horribly seasick on the journey from Mull.”

Aileen laughed. “That can soon be overcome. I can take ye fer a wee sail in me boat. When the sun is shining and the water of the Bagh is gleaming, sailing is a most wondrous thing.”

Davina shuddered. “I cannae imagine it. The very thought makes me weak.”

“Then mayhap ye would one day trust me tae sail with ye. Ye can visit me home and we could walk in the machair, where all the wildflowers are in bloom. It is a sight tae see.”

This brought a sigh from Davina, whose stomach had tied itself into a knot at the very thought of sailing across the water. “I would love tae stroll the machair with ye, but I am sore afeared of the water.”

Aileen reached for her hand. “Dinnae fash, Davina. In time ye will get used tae it.”

“I hope so. I would love tae visit yer house as well.”

A maid appeared at the door bringing with her a tray bearing some little cakes of currants and almonds and two large tumblers of the rosewater drink.

Davina took a bite of one of the cakes. “Mmmh. This is all so different tae what I was used tae at the convent. I dinnae remember ever eating sweetmeats before.” She nibbled another cake and gave a sigh. “These are delicious.”

Smiling Aileen glanced over. “And, I daresay, ye’re only used tae wearing the clothes of the nunnery.”

Davina nodded, her mouth too full to speak.

“We must see tae that as well. Ye must have sweets whenever ye wish and I will ask the seamstress tae visit ye so that ye may have new things tae wear.”

Once they’d finished their repast, Aileen took Davina by the hand. “Come, I wish tae show ye the castle and then we must week out Jonnet, our seamstress.”

They strolled through the courtyard and into the keep. Aileen escorted Davina through several long passages to the feasting hall. I was a long room with windows high above. The walls were decorated with hangings of tapestries and painted with flowers and leaves. It was bright and cheerful, not like the somber walls of the convent with only their religious icons for decoration and one could also reach the great hall from the courtyard. “Ye shall join with us tae dine with us this night. I wish ye tae meet me husband, Maxwell. He’s Everard’s braither.”

They climbed the stairs to the watchtower where they could look from the battlements out across the bay in all directions. “From here ye can see along the shore of the village. Beyond the village in the hills is where I bide wi’ me husband Maxwell, our War Chief.”

Davina strained her eyes to see beyond the row of whitewashed houses along the shore, hoping for a glimpse of the wildflower-covered fields beyond.

“And beyond Barra, is the Isle of Vatersay, our neighbor. We often row there tae visit friends and exchange produce.”

Although Davina admitted to herself that the vista of silvery sea, green hills and deep-blue sky above was beautiful, she found it daunting to see water all around her. Of all the places in Scotland she could have come to, somewhere surrounded by seemingly endless water seemed like her worst nightmare.

Despite the pleasant spring sunshine warming her, she shivered.

Aileen looked up. “Is something wrong?”

Davina shook her head, not wanting to let Aileen observe her distress. If she was to remain at Kiessimul for any length of time she would have to get used to the water, no matter how difficult that may be. And the fact that she didn’t know why water made her feel that way was what troubled Davina most.

They retraced their steps along the battlements and down the stairs. Once again, they were outside the keep, crossing the courtyard. Aileen led the way past the herb garden, where Davina would have liked to linger, to the cottage that was a twin of the one she occupied.

A tall man opened the door to Aileen’s knock.

He grinned and bobbed his head. “Why me lady, this is a rare treat tae have ye visit.”

“I’ve brought someone tae meet ye. This is Mistress Davina, who has skills in healing and growing herbs,” she turned to Davina. “This is our castle healer Broderick.”

The pleasant-faced man turned to Davina. “I am most pleased tae meet ye, mistress. Are ye staying there?” He indicated the cottage nearby.

“I am. And while I am here, I would like tae be of use tae ye. I have some experience of growing herbs and healing.”

He flashed her a beguiling smile. “Indeed. I would greatly welcome someone with yer skills.”

Davina found herself smiling. She was beginning to feel more at home. The idea of working with Broderick was appealing. In the convent she had always felt most comfortable when she was in the garden.

“Well. That’s settled then. Mayhap Mistress Davina will join ye tomorrow,” Aileen turned to Davina. “Will that suit ye?”

“I will be happy tae begin me tasks on the morrow.”

“Now, would ye join me in the solar? I have arranged fer refreshments tae be brought tae us. But first we must seek out Mistress Jonnet our seamstress and see what she can dae fer ye.”

Davina hesitated. “I’m afraid I dinnae have any coin. I’ll nay be able tae pay fer Mistress Jonnet’s services.” She looked down at the pale-pink kirtle and apron she had on. “Mildred very kindly loaned me these this morning, else I’d have naught tae wear.”

“Nonsense.” Aileen was matter-of-fact. “Everard has brought ye here, and as his guest he must assist ye and provide whatever ye need. If that is a sheaf of new gowns, then so be it.”

“But should I nae ask him first?”

“ I shall tell him we have ordered new gowns and pinafores when next I see him.”

Davina shook her head. This seemed all wrong to her.

Aileen smiled and took her arm. “Dinnae fret. When I came here, I was much like ye. I had naught but the britches I had on and the remnants of an old and tattered blue gown. The Laird’s sister kindly allowed me tae wear some of her dresses. I shall dae the same fer ye until Mistress Jonnet’s needles have produced what ye need.”

That wheedled a faint smile from Davina. Although she’d protested, the idea of something new, and mayhap even something pretty to wear, tugged at her heartstrings. She had chaffed under the prickly, rough-woven, woolen robes of the convent for far too long.

They found the seamstress in the small sewing-room beside the solar. She was surrounded by threads and snips of fabric. A young lass was beside her sewing patchwork from all the discarded pieces.

Mistress Jonnet took one look at Davina after the introductions and a smile stretched her face.

“She’s charming. With such a slender figure she will look wonderful in the simplest of gowns.”

Davina felt her cheeks flush with heat at the compliment. Hearing herself described in such a way was entirely new.

Once the measuring was done, Jonnet brought out several lengths of linen for Davina to select the color. She chose a deep-blue and another in pale-pink like the one she had on. Then she was asked to choose from samples of wool. Only the woolen fabrics she showed her were smooth and soft, nothing like her nun’s garb. She chose a plaid in the MacNeil colors, not aware of other patterns that might relate to her family, and a dark green.

“We’ll have the first of them ready fer ye on the morrow. Ye’ll need tae come after ye’ve broken yer fast and we’ll make sure of the fit before we sew up the hem and finish the seams.”

Davina was almost bouncing when they left the seamstress and entered the solar.

The deep cushions on the chairs were more than comfortable, and the fire glowing red and gold in the hearth cast a mellow light through the room. Although it was immensely pleasurable Davina had a feeling she should be hard at work somewhere else. Scrubbing pots in the kitchen, or wrangling garments in the laundry. Leisure was something she would have to learn.

Aileen noticed Davina’s discomfort as she sat rigidly in the chair.

“Is something wrong?” She asked quietly.

“Nay. Nay. Of course, nae. Everything is delightful and far more than I could ever have expected. It’s just that… I’m nae used tae sitting, daeing naught, and as ye and the laird have been so kind, I feel I should be making meself useful.”

Aileen studied Davina briefly, then patted her hand. “Although we dinnae ken yer family, from yer speech and the way ye conduct yerself, Mistress Davina, it seems tae me that ye are nae meant fer the life of a servant but rather suited tae something more fer the gentle-born.”

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 or concern, 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 this thing – 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 this was flirting, was it always accompanied by this same fluttering she felt now in her belly and the same rush of warmth through her veins?