Page 68 of Bride takes a Scot
“Good, and please send the lads that were here the other day. There is still plenty to do to situate the rooms and I want to have everything settled by the time Declan returns.”
He bowed to her.
Isabella returned to the great hall and repositioned the large table that sat at the end of the long room. It was heavy and she could barely budge it, but finally she got it in place. By the time she had all the chairs reset, Edith had arrived with a tray full of morning foodstuff. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she smelled the delicious scent wafting from the pottage.
“Sit ye down, Milady, and eat, afore ye fall down from hunger.” Edith placed a hardened trencher before her and filled it with the stew.
“Are most of the men gone?”
Edith sat across from her. “Aye, it is eerie having none of the soldiers making noise or taking up the lanes. We should prepare and make ready for their return. There could be injuries to tend to. I have had the maids bring more water from the loch, in case we need to heat it.”
“We shall be prepared. I’ll make additional bandages and mix some medicinals to have at hand.” Isabella hoped none of the MacKendrick soldiers sustained injuries. “Do you suppose they will war with whomever this enemy is?”
“Men like to war. It is their nature to do so. Laird Declan seeks vengeance so I vow the men shall make war.” Edith took a roll and broke it into small pieces. As she ate, she regarded Isabella. “Ye look tired, Milady. Do not overdo it this day.”
“There is too much to do. I have no time to sit and take rest.”
Marian entered with Noah running out from behind her skirts. He didn’t stop until he’d reached her. Isabella pulled him into a bear hug and lifted him from the floor. “I vow you have grown since I have come. Soon, you’ll be as tall as your da.”
That brought forth a wide grin from Noah. “Da says I will be bigger than him one day.”
How well he was speaking! Her heart filled with joy. He was so different from the wild lad she’d first encountered. Or the distant child who’d played with a rock and a piece of string in the corner of a cottage, lost in his own world. “I certainly believe that is so. Now, we are all to stay here, inside the fief, until your da returns. Why do you not go and pick out a bedchamber, Noah, and we shall get your things and make a room here for you.”
Noah’s mouth hung open. “Milady? I shall stay here with you and da?”
“Yes, of course you will. You are now my son too, Noah. We want you to be here with us. That is if you want to be.” Isabella wasn’t prepared for the tears that gathered in the lad’s eyes.
He rushed forth and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I would like that, but only if ye let me call ye ‘Mama.’”
Now Isabella’s eyes misted. “You can call me whatever you wish. I would love it if you called me ‘Mama.’”
Marian sniffled. “Ye have this old woman ready to weep.”
“That goes for you too, Marian. You will not live in that lonely old cottage by yourself. There is plenty of room here within the fief and I enjoy your company.”
“Since that horrible harridan is gone, I shall be pleased to stay here.” Marian smiled and dabbed her eye. “That is the only reason why I left Declan’s home.”
Rhona and Claude strolled into the great hall. Isabella gazed at those who joined her, and her heart filled with love. Those people were now her family, and she would do whatever it took to make them happy.
“Rhona, have you settled on the day you will wed? Declan promised he would set a day for your wedding.” Isabella took her hand and guided her toward Marian.
“Did Declan not tell ye? We are going to do it the morning of the harvest festival.”
“You will need a beautiful gown for your special day. Marian, will you help Rhona make an appropriate dress for her wedding? You make the most exquisite garments.” Isabella had seen the gowns in Marian’s cottage from when she was a young woman. They were simple but elegant.
The two linked arms and removed themselves to the chairs by the hearth. Marian and Rhona were animated as they spoke about what kind of material to use and the finer details of what the dress should entail.
Isabella sat back at the table and tried to finish her pottage. Claude joined her. He was quiet. “How are you this day, Claude?”
“Well, Milady. We are to have a special Mass to bless the relics we found in the cave. Friar Faelan wants to do it soon because he says our prayers will give the relics a special place in our hearts. He means to bless them before he places them on the altar. I shall go and join him if ye do not need me.”
“I shall see you later, Claude. Be sure to return for supper.”
“Isabella, I am going to help Gran gather her and Noah’s belongings and we will bring them here,” Rhona said. She motioned to Marian to walk ahead of her. “We shall return before supper.”
Isabella nodded to her and took the small trencher that held pottage in her hand. She ate as she assessed the room for anything else that needed doing.
Edith rose and rounded the table. “I am going to see cook about this night’s supper and I will have the bedding brought in. It was laundered yestereve. It should be dry by now. We shall get everyone sorted before nightfall.”