"Not at all." He shook his head.
"Not a wee bit?"
"Should ye have stomped them, ye think?" Gavin grinned, revealing a row of white teeth.
She wondered if he used sage powder and minted herbs on his teeth. It was a simple trick her mother had taught her.
"I suppose not. Thank ye for saving me—again," Serena said. "I must get back to my duties." She moved down the steps.
"Ye work here?" He followed close behind.
"Aye." Serena kept her gaze ahead of her to ensure proper footing. No doubt, Gavin thought her unable of much without the need of being rescued. To him, she must be the most blundering lass in all of Scotland.
"What do ye do?"
"I keep the laird's castle running smoothly."
"Have ye been in the position long?" he asked.
"Nay. Only six months. I never worked for the former laird, Iain MacBraigh's late uncle."
"I see." Gavin kept pace with her. "Did ye know the late MacBraigh? How did he die?"
"I'd only seen him a few times. He kept to himself." They reached the bottom steps, which emptied into a dark hallway. "As to how he died, I've heard two conflicting stories. One is that he died peacefully in his sleep. The other is that some one pushed him down the stairs. I've never asked the laird. 'Twould be above my station."
Torch light lit the walls. The floor was made of uneven brick. Serena hated it as she found herself tripping quite often. She hoped she didn't sprawl in front of him. Whenever Gavin was around, it seemed quite possible that she would make a spectacle of herself.
"I meant to ask ye before, but how is yer head? Have the headaches ceased?"
"I'm fine." The innocent question should not have irritated Serena, but it reminded her of her secret fits. "Forgive me, but why were ye on that staircase in the first place? I was led to believe ye'd be working on the north wing, and mostly on the outer defenses."
"We are. My brother will be directing that construction. I'll be handling minor repairs to the rest of the castle. Iain asked me to view the kitchen while he and Leith take notes on the courtyard."
"But I thought ye were the one in charge?"
"Essentially, I am, but this whole endeavor is to give my younger brother experience and skills in a trade. As the eldest, I'll inherit my father's castle and lands, and will likely be the next chief of the MacKenzie Clan. Leith needs to be able to provide for his family."
Gavin MacKenzie was full of all kinds of surprises. She would never be a suitable match for Gavin. She had no dowery, proper education, or a respectable, well-known family with desirable connections. Oh dear, where had that thought come from?
"Ye're verra quiet." He leaned close. She backed away. "What's wrong? Did I say something offensive?"
"Nay! Of course not. I was just thinking how good of ye to help yer brother like that."
"There ye are!" Iain MacBraigh and Leith hurried toward them. "Philip told me ye'd arrived. I figured I might find ye down here. I didn't know when to expect ye back. I thought ye'd send another messenger." The tone of the laird's voice changed, and Serena braced herself for the chastisement she feared would come.
Gavin knew the moment fear skipped across Serena's face. Her innocent, green eyes widened and her mouth formed into a perfect circle, but no words came forth as she glanced between Iain and Leith and back at Gavin.
"Well, no matter," Iain grinned. "Ye're back now, and I admit, I'm relieved. Mayhap, ye can soon restore order."
Serena's tense expression eased and a deep breath gushed from her full pink lips. A smile surfaced, brightening her face, and warming Gavin's heart. He didn't know why, but this woman did strange things to his insides. She could make his heart beat as if he had fought off a swarm of swordsmen. There was a mystery about her and it made him curious.
"I'm much better. I assure ye." Serena twirled thick black strands of hair lying over her shoulder.
Gavin hadn't noticed the small action before. Was twisting her hair something she only did when nervous, or was there a real attraction toward Iain MacBraigh? Disappointment sliced through his gut, splitting Gavin's mind in conflicting directions.
"Glad to hear it. Yer welfare is under my authority. I've offered all the villagers sanctuary on my land—and that includes ye." Iain winked in a light-hearted tease. "I would do no less for any of the villagers."
The way Iain soothed her sensitive feelings gained Gavin's respect. Serena needed someone to look out for her. Why then, did it bother Gavin that Iain seemed so perfect for the role?
He swallowed. The dryness in his throat a sudden discomfort. Gavin covered his mouth and coughed.
Iain glanced over at him then back at Leith. He nodded, stepped from Serena, and lifted his hand toward the kitchen. "Don't overdo it on yer first day back."
"Aye, my laird." Serena dropped her gaze, dipped her head, and bent into a bow. She glided down the torch-lit hall, leaving an awkward emptiness in her wake.
Gavin cleared his throat, gaining Iain's attention. "The brick floor along this hallway is verra uneven and eroding from cold moisture. We could dig out a more level surface and replace it with new brick."
Iain walked around, testing the floor surface. He nodded. "Aye, it wouldn't make sense to do all the other repairs and leave this area in such a state." He took a deep breath. "Now gentleman, let us go discuss our business." He turned the corner and climbed the stairs Gavin and Serena had descended moments earlier.
Gavin turned to Leith. "It'll be good experience for ye to negotiate the restoration contract. I'll handle the rest regarding the protection of the castle and grounds." Gavin slapped his brother on the back in good-natured support.
"It's about time we get to business," Leith said, moving past him to follow Iain up the stairs.
"Ye're young and impatient," Gavin said.
"Ye sound too much like Da." Leith's voice echoed above him.
Gavin paused where Serena had stood on his feet. No doubt, the memory would bring a fond smile to him for days to come.
Out of curiosity, he leaned over to peer out the window to see what had beguiled Serena. "Mmm. She has an admirable appreciation for God's creation," he whispered. The sun cast shimmering crystals upon the ocean as it danced in calm swells where it met the sky in the distance.
"Gavin, are ye comin'?" Leith called.
"Aye!" Gavin took comfort that the winding staircase afforded him some privacy. The other men hadn't seen him gazing upon the morning sunshine like a romantic fool. He tore himself away from the scene and hurried up the steps, his boots pounding against the hard stone like a hammer.
"Ye sound like a herd stampeding the castle," Leith said, a grin upon his face as Gavin reached the landing. "What were ye doing down there?"
"Paying attention." Gavin met Iain's hazel eyes. "Sorry to keep ye waiting."
"I like a man who takes his time to get things right," Iain said. He pointed down a hall filled with paneled walls containing painted portraits of long ago Scots and candelabra between the gilded frames. "My study is this way."
Gavin and Leith walked into the room he motioned to while Iain closed the door behind them. On the far side, a double door opened to a library with several rows of bookshelves. A red tapestry with a gold crest in the center hung above a simple oak desk. A fireplace with a granite mantle faced the desk. Gavin liked the unique layout of the study. It must have been brilliant at one time.
"Would ye like a drink?" Iain asked from behind Gavin, as he opened a table cabinet filled with wine bottles and pewter goblets.
"Nay, but thank ye," Gavin said.
Leith shook his head, also declining the offer.
Iain poured himself a goblet of wine and carried it over to a side table in the corner. He pulled out a few parchments with drawings. "I had these drawn up. Moisture from the sea has corroded much of the outer wall, especially along here." He pointed to the first drawing of the entire castle. "The repair work will be dangerous. Ye need to be prepared. Ye cou
ld lose a couple of men to the rocky cliffs."
"We don't intend to lose any men, but we'll take every necessary caution," Leith said.
Gavin allowed his brother to take on the leadership role, while he remained quiet. As he listened, Gavin was quite proud of how well Leith handled himself. He asked excellent questions, gave practical guesses on supplies and the time frame to finish each task. Iain seemed comfortable discussing business with Leith, which also pleased Gavin.
Once things were final, Iain wrote up an agreement. Both Leith and Gavin read it before signing. The laird strolled over to his desk. He opened a drawer, pulled out a pouch, and tossed it to Leith. "Here is the advance we discussed and there is extra to cover the supplies."
While Leith counted the money, Gavin ambled over to the laird. "I'd like to ask ye something about the village, but I don't wish ye to take it the wrong way."
"Ahh, the Village of Outcasts, is it?"
"Aye. That's what I've been told." Gavin grinned. "I've met some interesting individuals. I'm not quite sure what to think. Is Serena the only villager who works at the castle for ye?"
"Philip, the gate keeper came from the village. Serena is the only one who travels back and forth. I offered her and her mother a chamber here in the castle, but they declined."
"She's heard the rumor that yer uncle was pushed down the stairs. Mayhap she's afraid to stay here."
"I wouldn't doubt it. They're verra superstitious. My uncle's accident happened while I was still in England. As soon as he wrote me, I came home." Iain ran a hand through his auburn hair. "When my uncle was dying, I promised him I'd take care of the village as he had always done. I'd forgotten how strange some of them were since I'd been away for so long."
"They're a wee bit different to be sure, but they seem harmless enough," Gavin said.
"Let's hope so." A worried frown marred Iain's smooth features. "Ye sound like Serena. The lass is forever defending the whole lot of them. She's different and doesn't belong among them. If it wasn't for the sane conversations I'm able to have with her, I think I'd have gone mad in this place these past six months."
"I was wondering about her. She doesn't seem to have any of the same issues plaguing the rest of the villagers. Why is she in the village? Where did she and her mither come from?"
A pensive look crossed Iain's face as he stared down at his desk. "I've been wondering the same thing myself. The lass is reserved and doesn't trust verra easy. I've questioned the other villagers about her, and none of them seem to know her history." Iain met Gavin's gaze. "If they do know, they're saying naught."
"They're loyal. Ye've got to admire their spirit," Gavin said.
"As long as it also extends to me." Iain pointed his thumb to his chest. "Now, let's discuss the investigation of my uncle's murder and how ye plan to provide protection without the villagers knowing it. I don't want them to worry."
4
Serena rushed into the kitchen and pressed cool palms to her hot cheeks. While the laird had made her nervous about her position, Gavin's lingering presence had made her worse, even in the company of others. She forced slow breaths to calm her erratic heartbeat.
Standing on Gavin's feet...being so close to him on the stairs . . . everything about the whole incident heightened her awareness of the man in a new way. After today, she would forever think of him when she smelled the mixed scents of pine and heather, especially since she lived in an area where they were abundant.
"Serena?" Doreen peered at her in concern from where she chopped carrots at a center table. Heat blazed from the burning fireplace, and Doreen paused to wipe a few brown strands of hair from her eyes. The curls had escaped her white cap. "Ye look a fright. Did somethin' happen?"
"Nay." Serena shook her head and straightened her shoulders. "Merely thinking is all."
"Ye ran in here like ye were runnin' from the devil hi'self." Doreen blinked her brown eyes, watching Serena's reaction. "I couldn't help wonderin' if ye'd seen the handsome men visiting the laird." A slow smile curved her mouth. A line of sweat formed across her upper lip and upon her forehead.
"Aye." Serena averted her gaze and strode over to the pantry, taking mental note of the items needing replacement. "They assisted Mither and me home when I fell and struck my head the other day."
"Did one of them pick ye up and carry ye in 'is arms?" Doreen's face lit like a torch in a dark cave. "I think that would be most romantic, don't ye?"
"Mayhap, but I was unconscious." Serena raised an eyebrow and wondered if her cheeks looked as warm as they felt.
"Which one carried ye? One of the two brothers or one of the others?" Doreen laid down her knife and abandoned the carrots, turning toward Serena. "Tell me the rest. There's more isn't it?"
"Did ye hear aught of what I said?" Serena asked. "I was out. Missed the whole thing."
"Ye had to wake up, didn't ye? Don't pretend one of them didn't catch yer eye. I know better. I saw the two brothers a wee bit ago. They're quite handsome, they are."
"Lass, ye need to get those carrots in the pot before the stew cooks without 'em," Malvina hussled by, carrying a black iron pot to the huge fireplace where she hung it on a peg. She spared Serena a quick glance. "I see ye're back to distract the help 'round here." Malvina thrust her thick hands upon her plump hips and glared at Serena.
Her lips twitched as if she wouldn't be able to hold the angry pose much longer. Serena knew she wasn't really cross. Malvina enjoyed teasing Serena and Doreen whenever she got the chance. Unmarried and well into middle-age, Malvina had no family of her own, only distant relatives who lived elsewhere. She made cooking for the castle residents and visitors her life's ambition and took pride when her meals pleased others.
"Not at all." Serena fixed a determined expression and pointed at Malvina. "I'm here to help. What happened to the laird's meal this morn when he broke his fast?" Serena tilted her head and regarded the flustered look crossing her friend's face. "He was most displeased."
Malvina's round cheeks darkened and her breathing increased to a rapid pace. Her brown eyes transformed to black coal as she folded her arms over her chest. "And what might he be complaining 'bout? I provided everythin' to 'is likin' as usual."
Serena couldn't hold her mirth a moment longer. She burst into laughter and leaned her elbows on the counter. Doreen gasped as if she too had believed Serena. "I'm jesting. Ye have a temper worse than Beacon's."
"Aye, that ye do." Doreen nodded.
Malvina released a huge sigh, relaxing her shoulders. "Lass, ye're too cruel to play with an auld woman's feelings like that."
"Ye're not auld." Serena opened a cupboard and counted small baskets of beans. They had used two baskets while she was out. She leaned on her tiptoes to peer over the next shelf. One basket of peas was empty.
"Serena has an eye for one of the laird's visitors." Doreen scooped a handful of chopped carrots and tossed them in the pot over the fire. She glanced over her shoulder at Serena, a slanted grin marking her mischievous ploy.
Closing the cupboard, Serena whirled, crossing her arms over her chest. She had hoped to distract Doreen, but apparently she hadn't succeeded and now Malvina would join Doreen in taunting her.
"If ye must know, I stumbled upon Gavin MacKenzie on the stairs and in my blundering effort to escape him, trampled his feet. I canna imagine what the mon must think of me." Serena touched her hand to her forehead. The simple memory made her cringe.
Highland Sanctuary Page 6
