Moving as directed, Claire grabbed an end of the linens. “Why would it be bad for the bride to be here? Wouldn’t she be given a nice place for when she first arrives?”
“Of course she would be offered a comfortable, fine chamber. The fact that this is to be her chamber for the rest of her life ‘tis the part I take issue with. Hand me the pillow, child.”
While doing as told, Claire asked, “What do you mean the rest of her life? Don’t married people here share a room? I mean, Hagan and Aliana do?”
I’ve known from the beginning that whoever she is, she would share his chamber. Ian spoke of such things.
With a sigh, Neala continued, “The laird gave the order himself. This chamber is to be prepared for his wife. When I questioned Ian about this, he said that there is no illusion this marriage is to be a joyous one. He assumes this arrangement will be as most are, empty.”
Claire felt the burden of this weigh down her steps. Ian had spoken so eloquently of all the things he wanted for his life, yet now expected none of them to happen. Closing her eyes, she wasn’t sure what was worse, him living like that or having to watch him do it. “I don’t know what to say.”
Neala was finishing making the bed and gauging her reaction. “Ian did not speak of this to you?”
Surprised by the question, Claire retorted, “Why would he?”
“You two spend your evenings talking, and I thought maybe you had more answers than I do,” Neala responded.
Looking around the room while avoiding Neala’s gaze, she said, “We’ve talked about a lot of things, the subject of his marriage, well . . . we . . . it’s never come up.”
“Forgive me, ‘tis foolish of me to think it would have.” Neala gazed around, seeing everything in the place she would have it. “This chamber is fine. There are more beds to change if you still wish to help.”
The two moved quickly, readying another five rooms before they reached the last. “Come, child, help me straighten Ian’s chamber, and then we are finished with the beds.”
Walking into this now familiar place, Claire thought it somehow seemed a bit empty without Ian. Moving without thought to the table by the fire, she saw the cups from last night were still there and the unfinished chess game sat waiting.
“You did nay finish last night?” Neala followed Claire’s motion to the table.
The voice of the other woman pulled her back to the moment. “No, we didn’t. I think we were talking more than actually playing.” They had sat and talked for hours, as usual. She remembered how the conversation had been easy and comfortable with plenty of laughter.
“‘Tis a fine way to pass the night.” It was Neala’s only remark as she straightened the chamber.
Turning to see Neala and smiling at the choice of words, Claire said, “That’s exactly what Ian says.”
They each stood on a side of the bed and began working together to change the linens. Never had she ever focused so hard on such simple work. Simply the smell of him in the room and even on the sheets drove her senses crazy. The sound of horses from the window provided a welcome diversion. She could see Ian, Hagan, and a few others mounted and leaving through the gates. “Where do you think they are going?”
“The sun is shining. They may be off to hunt, to check on a matter, or mayhap to enjoy a day in the saddle.” Placing the furs back on the bed, Neala requested, “Hand me the pillows, child.”
Doing as she was told, Claire asked quietly, “Neala, can I ask you a question?”
“I told you when we met I am here for you. Always ask what you would.”
“How soon after the bride arrives will the wedding take place?” Not having the nerve to face Neala with the question, Claire kept her eyes on the pillows as they were moved into place.
Answering in a matter-of-fact tone, Neala said, “I dinna ken exactly. There are most likely negotiations to finish. When things are agreed upon, it will happen quickly.”
Trying hard not to show anything other than curiosity, Claire asked, “How long does it take for the priest to arrive?”
Neala tilted her head, taken aback by her question. “No one has explained this to you? In all the tales you have heard, I am surprised this one was left out. Sit in the chair, and I will tell you all.”
Moving to her usual seat and finding the comfortable spot right away, Claire sat, waiting for yet another tale.
Facing her, Neala began, “You will never find a priest on these lands. Dinna mistake me, the clan has a fine love of the church and its words, but not its men. The first laird of the Draig, the very one who conquered these lands, made verra clear to his children to keep this rule. ‘Tis said that a man pretending to be a priest kidnapped and nearly killed his wife. Since that time things have been done according to the ways of the clan. So there will be no priest for the ceremony. Ian and his bride will make their vows before the clan, and the contracts are signed. In the morning, a sheet is hung in the hall. The Draig marriages have always been this way. You will find most clans have their own ways.”
Stunned was her only thought. Just a few public words and a contract? No, don’t go there, not now. Trying to clear her thoughts, Claire asked, “So everyone here marries like this?”
“Aye child, ‘tis the way of things. The village has never complained about these ways, though in the village a contract is not necessary. That is reserved for the laird alone. The men and women who serve this land exchange their words, and the sheet is hung outside the door the next morn.” Neala added, “Dinna doubt me when I say that most of the time ‘tis merely a bit of wine that marks the sheet.”
If Claire could have crawled away at that moment, she would have. She felt the heat of her blush cover her face and burn her ears. “Thank you for the tale, Neala. As always, it was a fine one.”
Neala answered with a smile. “Now you ken more of the ways here. Let us hope the bride who comes is as understanding. I have been told that she has spent the last ten years living in a convent.”
Claire asked, “Ten years in a convent? Why?”
With a sigh, Neala continued, “Again, it can be the way of things. For some clans ‘tis how they raise their lasses. The goal is to keep them biddable and chaste so they can be wed for the gain of the clan.”
Gain of the clan?
This phrase resonated through Claire’s mind. It was very clear what the Draig clan would gain with this union.
What did the other laird gain?
Neala’s rising broke her thoughts. “We have been idle long enough. Take hold of the linens while I grab these cups. These things all belong elsewhere. Let us see to it.”
Bending to grab the sheets from the floor and moving to follow Neala to the laundry area downstairs, Claire indulged in a deep inhale of Ian’s scent that permeated the sheets in her hands.
Chapter 13
The evening meal was the first quiet one Claire had since arriving. The men had not returned, and the hall felt their absence. Unfortunately, those who did remain made themselves known. She smiled as Aliana did her best to include her in conversation, knowing full well the intent. The several men at the table were nice, polite, good-looking, and even funny, but they were not Ian. The first sincere grin to cross her face was when Cerwyn started getting crabby. Grateful to leave with Aliana and the child, the upstairs seemed a welcome retreat.
Both were relieved when Cerwyn actually fell asleep. They sat in Aliana’s chamber before the fire where once more Claire had the burden of explaining the finances. Finishing her cup of wine, she waited for Aliana to respond.
“Well, then it is done. My brother will have to go through with the marriage. I had such hopes for him, hopes that he would someday find the same things I have with Hagan.” Aliana’s dismay was more than evident in her tone.
Claire thought to ask the question that h
ad been in the forefront of her mind but dared not to ask Ian. “What happens if the taxes are not paid?”
For the first time, there was hesitation before Aliana spoke. She answered in a hushed voice, “I dinna ken how long the Crown will tolerate late payments. Eventually forces will come to claim the lands and a new laird will be set in place.”
Claire felt her jaw drop. “I knew it was serious, but not to that extent.” Wanting to know what happened to the family and the people if such a thing should occur but somehow knowing it would be tragic, she let the question slip away.
“‘Tis sad the fate that awaits Ian. No one should marry like this. I ken it is the way of some, but not here among our people.” Aliana’s disgust was more than evident.
Hoping for a diversion from the morose, Claire asked, “So it was not like that for you and Hagan, not arranged at all?”
“You dinna mean to say this tale has not been told to you. Nay, there was nothing planned about us even meeting. Hagan came here with his eldest brother. While my marriage would not be arranged, introductions were common and all too regular. Surely you must ken the heir to the Douglas clan was out seeking a wife several years ago.”
Suddenly caught in the lie of her existence, Claire answered quickly, “I knew that, but not about you and Hagan.”
“How foolish of me. You would only ken Hagan did not return home and that he had wed. I am aware your clan does not speak freely in front of its women. So Hagan came with his eldest brother as he sought a wife. I never even noticed the elder, I only saw Hagan. You may not believe this, but at the moment we met, it was done. I wanted only him. Do you believe this, Claire?”
Trying not to think about her own reaction to Ian, Claire sincerely answered, “I believe you. As strange as it sounds, I believe you.”
“There was a small problem, however, as Hagan did everything in his power to stay away from me. During the day, he trained with the men, rode, and hunted with Ian, and at night, he sat as far from me at the meal as possible. Yet even then I wanted him. This is not to say he ignored me, just the opposite. Hagan was constantly watching me.”
“Why didn’t he talk to you?”
“There were times when no choice was given. At those moments, he was kind, considerate, and polite, but his eyes were different. He looked at me like I wanted him to, like he saw only me.” Pausing for a drink, Aliana remarked, “You may be aware your cousin is a stubborn man. Hagan was raised to believe that as the youngest son of seven he would wed a woman of much lower rank, that the only daughter of a laird was far beyond reach.”
“What changed his mind?” Claire asked, wondering what could change Hagan, a man always set in his course of action.
“Well, the eldest son left, and Hagan stayed. It was said that Ian convinced him to stay. They were quick friends, and my parents found his company was a good influence on Ian. Even then Hagan encouraged my brother to learn the duties to which he would someday be responsible. To this day, I still believe Hagan stayed for me. Too bad that stubborn arse will never admit it.”
Joining the laughter, Claire asked, “So when did it change?”
“It took most of that summer to discover that he was put off by my rank, though no one here made much of it. Hagan has a way of seeing things, of seeing the potential in a situation. Hagan’s fear was that without Ian wed and having an heir this duty would fall to me. It would not be the first time lands had passed through the children of the lady of the clan. The responsibility weighed on him. He was never trained for such things and did not want to be. A simple life was all he craved.”
This description did not mesh with the man Claire had come to know. Hagan seemed so sure of every decision he made. “Obviously, you got past that. How did you do it?”
With a grin, Aliana continued, “After I discovered this, every meal I sat by his side and made him speak with me. I tried everything, even altering my gowns to show my figure in an attempt at letting lust rule him. Dinna look so surprised, cousin, those gowns now flatter your curves. Anyway, even that did nothing, so I went for something more simple. I made sure Hagan was deep in his cups.”
“You got him drunk?”
“It was obvious there was something between us. Our conversations were always polite, but his eyes never were. Later that summer, every chance he had, Hagan touched me, small touches that no one would ever think wrong or inappropriate. I was tired of waiting, and once my mind is set, I act. I made sure he had a bit too much to drink, filling his cup myself throughout the evening. When Hagan finally found his way to his chamber, I followed. Giving him time to get into bed, I stole into his chamber. After losing my gown, I crawled into bed with him. For only a moment did he hesitate, then he did not.” There was no stopping the smile taking over Aliana’s face “‘Twas a fine night, Claire.”
“How did this solve anything? I mean, he was drunk. Did he know it was you?”
Aliana’s face showed the victory she felt. “Aye, he kenned full well it was me. My name was on his lips the moment I climbed into his bed. In the morning, we were found together. That part was a wee bit embarrassing but worth every awkward moment. Our vows were said in the hall that morn. I dinna believe there has ever been regret for either of us. Hagan does a fine job helping with the men and the duties here. ‘Tis a skill he always had inside. Plus, we are happy. There is love and a solid companionship between us. Someday I wish the same for you.”
Claire was envious. “Wow, that is some story. I’m glad that you told me, or I don’t think I would have believed it.”
With a chuckle mixed with a yawn, Aliana said, “Dinna let anyone tell you otherwise. Every word is true.” Stopping to yawn again, Aliana apologetically asked, “Would you mind if we said good night? When I tire, it happens quickly.”
Claire stood. “Of course, go to sleep. I already asked Margaret in the nursery to wake me and not you if Cerwyn needs someone.”
“Cousin, you spoil me with your kindness. I am so glad you are here and that we are already such friends.” Aliana embraced her.
“So am I.” Letting go of the embrace last, Claire said, “Sleep, I will see you in the morning.”
The ride had been what he needed. Time on his horse and the wind in his face had cleared his mind. Part of his fate was set. There was no arguing and no going back. There was going to be more in his life, and Ian had always known this. He had been raised to want more, and more he would have. There was always a way. This was a way he had never thought to take. The path he now contemplated he had mocked in others. Mayhap he had been too quick to judge and too quick to assume it was wrong. Ian had found a way, and now he just needed to convince her.
Claire slept, curled in a chair before the fire in the nursery, with wee Cerwyn tucked against her, one of the child’s hands resting on her shoulder and his other buried in her hair. She had been roused from sleep to be here. Dressed in her robe, her legs were bare from shifting in the chair. His hand reached out to touch her skin, only to stop. He still bore the dirt from his ride. The last time he touched her he had been dirty from the saddle. There was no way he would see Claire’s clear skin soiled by his hand again. His offer would wait. Rising with the intent to seek the bathing chamber, he knew his offer would be there for the new day to come. Looking at her face, so calm and peaceful in sleep, any and all doubt fled. There was a way.
Chapter 14
Claire’s sleep had been haunted by dreams, again. Dancing with him, so slowly, their bodies close and moving as one. Ian had charmed her mother and David over dinner. He had laughed as Brooke asked if he wore anything under that plaid. Michael had been there, too, asking what she had forgotten. The thought had not left her mind even though it was early afternoon.
What did I forget?
She tried to lose herself in the work of the day. The messenger had arrived in the morning with word that the
bride would be there the next day. The keep was in complete chaos. Neala was ordering everyone around—what to clean and how to clean it. Her normal good temperament was absent with the chores to be done. Aliana was having a bad day, her morning sickness keeping her in bed. Claire was grateful for the extra work, having been given a group of women to keep on task and deciding which stores to be used in the kitchens for the meals the larger group would need. She was grateful for the inventories at hand, and working with Finella proved perfect for her mood. There were no stories and no idle talk, just business.
The sun had long set before all was accomplished. Now, sitting outside by the cliffs listening to the waves crash on the rocks below, while the moon rose overhead, Claire had no choice but to let her mind wander. Unfortunately, no thought was safe, and none were pleasant. Thankful for the pitcher of whiskey that kept her company, Claire took another drink and wondered how long before the alcohol dulled everything.
Ian had spent the day far too busy. In truth, he was glad to oversee the work. For the first time, it mattered to him that the men had completed planting the crops and that his people were content. What could have been more important than all of this? Now, it concerned him that all was in place. He needed to be sure that the future held promise for her, that all of Claire’s needs would be met.
All day his eyes had hoped to catch her, to find time to speak his words. Not once had their paths crossed. Claire was not by his side at the evening meal, and her presence was keenly missed. In the dark of night, he found her sitting outside alone as the breeze blew her hair. He loved her hair unbound. This was the perfect place to speak with no one else to interfere. Ian could feel his body stride with purpose. Hope was alive in his chest, and with words waiting to be spoken, he approached.
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