Page 7 of The Trials of Neilina MacKai (The MacKai Brides #5)

C astle MacFearann, on the Scottish Northeast Coast

Seona watched him walk away before following Lady Staunton down the line of servants.

That lady dismissed each person as she completed the introduction.

Tired as she was, Seona managed to maintain a courteous and interested demeanor as she was introduced to more than twenty servants.

Lady Staunton made certain that Seona understood these were only the upper servants.

There were another fifty or so, she said, to manage heavy chores and even more who attended to things outside the castle proper.

Eventually only one servant remained.

“This is Eibhlin, she will serve as your lady’s maid. I notice you did not bring a maid with you.” Lady Staunton frowned her disapproval.

Seona refused to be cowed. “I gather that rescuing my husband’s mother and sister is of some urgency. To bring a maid whose only purpose would be to see to my vanity would have slowed our progress considerably.”

“Hmphf, yet you brought a cook.”

“Who saw to the comfort and nourishment of all our party. In doing so she saved much time and energy that would have been wasted with hunting and dressing game for sustenance. Regardless, I am pleased to have the services of Eibhlin while I am here. Thank you for so thoughtful a gesture, Lady Staunton.”

That lady’s frown transformed into a straight thin line.

Seona wondered if the woman knew how to smile. Another question was how long Lady Staunton had lived in England? She pronounced words like the English, but she’d been born a Scot.

“You are welcome, Lady MacFearann.”

“Lady Seona, please. I have six sisters and am used to being called by my first name.”

“Of course, Lady MacFearann. Now I have much to do before the evening meal. Eibhlin will see you to your chamber.”

***

“T HIS IS THE LADY’S Chamber,” said Eibhlin, opening a door on one side of the corridor bisecting the second floor of the castle.

Seona walked into the large room. Tapestries covered the stone walls.

On one wall cinquefoil glass windows broke the stone surface every three yards or so.

To one side was a large fireplace with three chairs and an array of footstools facing it.

The bed stood opposite. The high frame was draped with deep blue velvet curtains and mounded with pillows.

She ran a hand over the pristine furs that covered the bed and discovered a soft feather ticking beneath.

Large chests lined the wall under the windows.

Her husband was a wealthy man to have glass in windows, feathers in the bed ticking, and blankets of white fox fur, to say nothing of the size of the bed and the fireplace.

The hearth was large enough to heat the entire room, but at a tremendous cost in wood or coal.

She couldn’t imagine that fuel as humble as peat might be used in such an elegant space.

“Did my lady bring clothing with her? I will put it into these chests,” said Eibhlin.

“No, we did not have time or space to carry much.”

Eibhlin smiled and eyed Seona’s figure. “If you will permit, I can find robes belonging to the earl’s mother and sister. They are of a similar shape and height as you. ’Twould take little effort to fit them to you.”

“They wouldn’t mind?”

“’Tis the custom of Castle MacFearann to see to every need. I know of one bliaut that could be made ready before the evening meal.”

“That would be very kind of you. Might you also arrange a bath for me? I’ve been traveling for more than a week and would like to wash off some of the grime.”

“All shall be as you wish, my lady. ’Twill take a short time to bring the tub and heat the water.”

“I shall rest while I wait.” She climbed onto the bed and was asleep within moments.

The rest and the bath did much to restore Seona’s energy, and she descended to the great hall eager to proceed with forming the rescue plans.

However, Rhuad sent his regrets that clan business would keep him occupied for some hours.

A light supper was served with few people present. Seona retired to her chamber to have Eibhlin tend to her hair.

“I like to rise early in the morning, Eibhlin. However, I can manage for myself, so you need not worry about attending on me until later in the day.”

“Yes, Lady Seona.” The maid left shutting the door quietly behind her, and Seona slipped beneath the furs of the great bed.

While she waited for sleep to find her, Seona spent some time contemplating what she knew of Rhuad MacFearann.

He’d turned out to be much more interesting than she’d expected.

She’d been leery of trying to help him, because of his initial reluctance to work with her.

However, once they realized that they each had something worthwhile to contribute, traveling with him became much easier.

She expected working with him would be a great pleasure.

She looked forward to planning the rescue of his mother and sister.

She had some ideas about the best ways to get to them and hoped Rhuad would agree without too much persuasion.

She had her experience defeating the English army nearly two years past to support her assertions that she should be the one to make contact with his mother and sister.

***

T HE NEXT MORNING, SEONA descended once more to the great hall.

The space was huge, like the rest of the building she’d seen thus far. Hence the small number of trestle tables and benches clustered near the salt surprised her. A mess of trenchers and tankards on the tabletops told her that those who ate below the salt had already broken their fasts.

I did not think I had woken so late .

She crossed the floor strewn with fresh rushes and herbs. As she climbed to the high table, Sir Dougal and two of the senior MacKai men at arms took their leave of her husband. She exchanged greetings with them as they left.

“Good morning, Laird MacFearann.” The man was more handsome than he had a right to be.

She’d not thought him attractive when she’d first seen him, nor even when he arrived dusty and travel stained to ask her brother’s aid.

What had changed? His eyes were still blue his hair still red, his physique still strong and manly.

Perhaps it was simply seeing him in action as laird in his own home that colored her vision of him?

She shrugged, what matter if she found him attractive or not?

They would part ways in less than a month, of that she was certain.

“You might as well address me as Rhuad, wife. Include laird, if you like, when we are with others.”

“If you wish it.” She signaled a waiting servant to bring her a meal

“Wine?” Rhuad pointed to an ewer.

“I prefer ale or cider to break my fast.”

He lifted a crock that sat beside the ewer and poured ale into the tankard near her hand. “You must try MacFearann ale then. Our alewife swears by the mixture of grains she uses and guards her recipe carefully.”

Seona sipped the beverage which was just a bit sweet. “This is delicious. I will be certain to give her my compliments.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

Two oatcakes flanked the trencher containing a pottage that was placed before her.

With Rhuad watching, she took a mouthful.

“Does the meal meet with your approval?”

“I can tell this was not made by my cook. Nonetheless it is quite savory.”

“Excellent.” He rose. “I am sorry I cannot remain to entertain you. I must see to the preparations for the rescue.”

She took his hand. “Sit, please. Before any preparations are made, we must form our plans.”

She would not tolerate being excluded from the planning or the rescue itself.

“We did not wish to bother you with such things. Our plans are already formed, and Dougal has gone to instruct the men.”

“Then you must call Dougal back. I speak for my brother on all matters involving MacKai men, horses, and arms. You would not plan without consulting him. Thus, you will consult me. If you wish to include Dougal and any others, I will not oppose that.”

He did sit. However, his expression was not happy.

“To recall Dougal and the men at this time would be inefficient. What specifically do you wish to discuss?”

She studied him. He slouched at ease, yet his fingers drummed on the tabletop, and a tic formed in one cheek. From the corner of one eye, she thought she saw a servant approach. She waved the person off, and they moved out of sight.

Best not to have anyone overhear this conversation .

“We should speak of our entire rescue plan, from preparations to escape and return to the castle.”

His gaze narrowed, and his hand on the table flattened. “I want to be clear on one point, wife. You will not risk yourself by participating in this rescue.”

She gave him an equally hard gaze. “I act with the full authority of the MacKai Seneschal, which allows me complete participation in any effort that involves MacKai men, horses and arms. Or would you prefer that I gather my brother’s men and leave for Dungarob Keep?”

“Your brother promised aid,” Rhuad protested.

“Aye, with me speaking for him. He would withdraw any promised aid if you attempted to exclude him from your plans and action. That is what you are doing. Hence, I have no qualm with ending any agreement on that basis.”

He formed a fist with the hand on the table. Then his shoulders lifted, and he sighed.

She had him, and he knew it.

“Let us talk then. We can inform Dougal and the men of any changes once we are in agreement.”

“Good. Changing what you and he have agreed on makes little sense, if the plan is solid. Start please by telling me what the two of you discussed.”

“The plan is to have a small group of five to seven proceed with a frontal attack at low tide. They will draw the guarding force from the walled keep. Once the guard is exposed, the rest of our men will approach by boat and attack the flanks of our opponents.”

“If I recall correctly, you said that guard numbers fifty men. That is twice our own number. Yet you think it is wise to divide our force?”