At the clap of her hands, Caroline jumped and grabbed a washcloth and soap. She went as deep as she could go in the tub. Mortified, she stared into the water to avoid any eye contact with the women in the room, and let the steam infused rose scent tickle her senses. She crossed one of her arms over her chest when she realized the water barely covered the tops of her breasts. Would she react with the same discomfort if it were Ian administering her bath? While her thought took hold, she couldn’t help but smile. No…she wouldn’t mind one little bit.
“Ye smile like O’Clootie himself on All Hallow’s Eve, what has ye looking so pleased?”
There was no way she was answering the woman’s question. Without replying, Caroline bent her knees and plunged below the water until it covered the top of her head. All the while, she could hear the other woman’s laughter. God, she had it bad for this man and there was no way to hide her growing desire. If a complete stranger could see through her, how long before Ian realized it.
With her bath complete, Caroline slipped into the long white nightrail that Mo Daol brought back.
The older woman shook her head at the excess material at her feet. “The gown I brought ye, is not much shorter than the sark ye are wearing now. Greer or I will need to hem it before ye can wear it tonight.” Mo Daol brushed past her and grabbed the green gown from the wooden chair by the hearth. “Do not worry, lass we’ll have it done before the meal is served tonight.” She patted her shoulder and headed out. A delicate knock came, as Mo Daol reached the door. Another voice entered the room. “M’lady. I have brought the salve ye requested.”
“Ye have arrived in time, Delilah. The lass has been bathed and dressed, and her wounds are clean but are still a bit red.” Mo Daol escorted the red haired woman in her direction. “I have a bit of altering to finish, before the evening meal.” The older woman swept out of the room like a windstorm.
“You’re the healer.”
“Aye, m’lady. I have brought a salve to help with the pain and added a bit of onion to fend off infection.”
“Please, call me Caroline. I’m totally not use to the m’lady jumbo.” When the healer gave her a perplexed look, she changed the subject. “I’m sorry. I seem to keep saying all the wrong words, and I’m afraid to jeopardize things for, Ian…or the laird, whatever it is you call him here.”
The soft chuckle from the healer was unexpected, but instantly put her at ease. “There is no need to fear, Caroline.” She whispered.
Delilah placed the jar on a nearby table and lifted the lid. A pungent odor released into the air and caused Caroline to grimace. “It smells awful. Did you say you put onions in there?”
“Aye, when mashed, the oil from the bulb is useful to stave off infection.” Delilah dipped two fingers into the jar. “Open your hands.”
She did what Delilah asked and took in each detail with interest, as the healer created a thin layer on the palm of her hands. “That’s it. I thought it would burn, but it actually…is very soothing. Even if does reek a little. Thank you.”
“Ye are quite welcome, m’lad…I mean Caroline.” The corner of her mouth lifted when she made the correction.
While Delilah tended her cuts and scrapes, the two young maids emptied the wooden tub and rolled it into the corridor at Greer’s direction. They now stood alone in the room.
“Earlier…when you said I had nothing to fear, what did you mean?”
“Only that I know where ye came from, and your secret is safe with me.”
“Mo Daol said…she has experienced this, what’s happened to me…has happened before?” Delilah nodded. “And Calum…he knows, as well?”
“Calum is a skeptic.” She shrugged, as she replaced the lid on the tiny jar of salve. “He is hard-pressed to prove otherwise, especially me.”
She stilled at the other woman’s words. “You? Why?” Their heads leaned together.
Before Delilah could respond, there was a knock. Greer entered with a small tray filled with a goblet, bread, and cheese.
“Yer still here, Delilah? The laird was looking for ye, but I believe he has left to handle a matter.” She placed the tray on the table. “Seamus is down in the hall. Mayhap he knows what the laird needed.”
“If ye’ll excuse me, Caroline.” Delilah turned toward the door.
“Maybe I’ll see you at dinner tonight?” Caroline waited her reply.
“Perhaps.” Delilah smiled. Then she retreated out the door.
A single candle burned on the nightstand, as the embers in the waning fire flickered like a beacon across the room. Not long after Caroline’s hair finished drying by the fire, she had taken her fill of the light snack, Greer provided. She planned to rest her eyes for a moment, but dozed off. How long had she slept?
She lifted her arms over her head and stretched. That is when she noticed her hands. The salve was gone, and what once had been red, angry scratches, had faded into pink marks on her palms. It was no longer tender to clench her hands.
“Wow! Western medicine has nothing on Delilah.”
She scooted off the edge of the large four-poster bed, and her feet hit the icy wooden planks. The single piece of furniture nearly swallowed the tiny room. On the footboard and on the headboard were hand-carved, diamond shapes etched into the wood of various sizes, and matched the design around the thick wooden valance. Velvety, wine-colored curtains, gathered beneath the three panels, and remained pulled back at each corner, as she napped. The décor was right off the pages off a castle tour book.
She had just risen when a single knock came and Greer entered with a younger maid in tow. “Did ye sleep well? I returned with the gown, but ye were sound asleep. Tis of no matter, I will help ye into your gown now.” Greer looked over her shoulder as she crossed the room. “Constance will tend to your hair, m’lady.”
“Please…call me Caroline and yes, I did sleep well.” Her stomach churned and it wasn’t from lack of food. It was a reminder of where she was and how she arrived, but mostly it was the thought of the brawny highlander that would escort her to dinner.
Her heart raced as she filled the silence with her rambling. “I can’t remember when I have felt this rested. And look…” She turned her hands toward the older woman. “My hands are almost healed.” The younger maid smiled, but Greer nodded and went to work arranging layer after layer of clothing upon her bed.
I can’t wait to tell Delilah how fast her salve worked. Do you think she’ll show at dinner?”
“Aye. She will no doubt be present at the evening meal. The laird has vowed to protect her, as well.”
She raised her brow. “Protect her? From who?”
“Tis a long story, but not as long as it will take me to dress ye proper. If ye would cease your fidgeting and your questions, it will go a bit quicker.”
Caroline wrapped an arm around her waist and apologized, “I’m sorry.”
When the final piece of her ensemble was in place, she could barely move…let alone breathe. They replaced her night-rail with a long, sleeveless slip. Over that, she wore two different skirts, and a whalebone corset. On the final pull, she had somehow grown two bra sizes and may have a cracked rib.
“Do I have to wear all this?” She fidgeted and pulled at the constricting corset.
Constance, the younger maid, snickered at Caroline’s ignorance. One look from the older woman, and the young girl pressed her lips together and went back to heating the curling rod by the hearth.
Greer frowned her way. Well, that’s a big ole’ Aye! “There are only two kinds of women that would forgo their stays, lass. An old woman…, which ye clearly are not, and the ill-begotten kind. So what say ye? Are ye a true lady or of the ill-begotten lot?”
The woman had a way of making her feel no more than a child, not that she was much more than that at almost twenty-years-old. “The stays are great, Greer. I’ll wear the stays. So what comes next…more skirts?”
The woman pinned her with a hard look. Her tone was gruff, but she forced
back a smile. “Nay. Just the gown ye insolent lass.”
A half an hour later after she was in her gown, Constance placed her hair in a braid that hung over her left shoulder. In the small mirror, she gazed at the small bits of well-placed heather. Its fragrance was subtle and reminded her of a warm spring day, except it was October and winter was not far behind. “This heather is fresh. It smells clean and new.”
“Aye. Perhaps, the laird will take ye for a ride one day soon. The fields near Lochbuie are fair covered with them, as they are every time this year. But it will not last much longer. Winter will come soon. Ye mark my word on it. These ole’ bones have never been wrong.”
She jumped at the solid knock that rattled her door, and the mirror she held slipped from her hand. A breath of relief came forth when it landed in her lap and didn’t shatter onto the floor. The last thing she needed was another seven years of bad luck or in her case fifteen.
“Tis time, Caroline. That be the laird to escort ye to the great hall for the meal.”
At the maid’s words, a wave of nausea swept through her, and she placed her head upon the table. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
In her no-nonsense way, Greer pulled her out of the wooden chair despite her confession.
“Nay. Ye will not. Pull yourself together. Ye look beautiful, lass. The day has been wrought with one problem or another for the laird, and I believe ye are the vision he needs to set his mind at ease.”
If Ian needed her, then she would not disappoint him. After all, when she found herself surrounded by those filthy men, he had come. Not once did he show fear. Now it was her turn to be strong for him while he righted all that was wrong at Moy. She could do no less for the man that consumed her every thought and was starting to fill her once empty soul.
“I’m ready, Greer. You can let him in.”
“Aye, m’lady. As ye wish.” Greer gave her a smile of approval. A confidence she never felt before formed within her soul, and it strengthened her even more. A bond was forging between her and the gruff woman. Not only did she want to aid Ian, but somehow she wanted to make Greer proud, as well.
Chapter Nineteen
All the hours Caroline spent preparing for Ian’s anticipated arrival had been for naught. When Greer opened the door, it was poor Seamus on the other side.
Yanking at the collar of his tunic and explaining Ian’s absence. “The laird was needed to settle a dispute between two crofters and a sheep. He asked that I escort ye to the great hall this eve.”
Caroline pasted on a smile and slipped an arm into the crook of the man’s elbow.
“Thank you…Seamus is it?”
The man nodded. “Aye, m’lady.”
With the meal complete and the tables cleared, she sat at the dais with Mo Daol. Each time the heavy iron-banded door grated her head came up, anxious to see the fine features of Ian’s face appear from around the corner.
Ian’s brother and grandmother played host in his absence. Throughout the meal, Calum became animated. She was very sure he was drunk or at least feeling good. It was no wonder, with how often the well-endowed serving woman named Glenna kept his mug filled. At one point, the woman all but shoved her breasts in his face, though he seemed to enjoy the attention. Men! No matter what century you’re in…they’re all about the same thing. Pfft!
Delilah arrived as the last of the tables were cleared. She sat toward the rear of the room, but waved an acknowledgement as she sat. In a matter of seconds, Calum’s boisterous mood soured. He tossed back the contents of his mug, without taking his eyes off Delilah. He clenched his teeth and slammed the empty mug onto the table.
“If ye will excuse me, my appetite has gone.” The weight of his glare never left the healer as he spoke.
Caroline nodded and Calum turned toward Mo Daol. “I shall return. There is a matter I must see to.”
Mo Daol’s lips pursed, but she waved him off without a word. Calum stocked to the door and shot an annoyed glance in Delilah’s direction. He was halfway out the door when he stopped to speak to one of the men.
“Are they together?” Caroline turned toward Mo Daol.
Her forehead creased. “Together? I do not get your meaning, lass.”
“Umm…I mean like a couple.”
“Och! Delilah and Calum. They be as different as nettles and feathers.” She leaned closer to Caroline and whispered, “Calum being the nettles, of course.”
She couldn’t help but giggle at Mo Daol’s comparison.
“Do not mind him, Caroline. Though I love him dearly, the man can be an eejit! He has seen things this day with his own verra eyes, yet he is too stubborn to admit the truth of it.”
Her mouth parted, but she remained silent.
Mo Daol prompted her. “Come, lass do not look so glum. There will be music this eve and dancing to celebrate Ian’s return.”
Caroline nodded and sipped from the goblet to swallow back the building lump in her throat. Despite the lengths, everyone went to ensure to her comfort, there was only one person who filled her thoughts at the moment. Where was Ian? Her mouth pressed into a forced smile. It wasn’t Mo Daol’s fault her first night in the 17th century wasn’t turning out as she envisioned.
From beneath the white tablecloth, a cold, wet nose peered out. Caroline gave a low chuckle, as she lifted the cloth and spied the shaggy-haired dog that greeted her at the stones.
“Hello, Arrow.” She whispered, as she scratched behind the gray beast’s ears. He nuzzled his head further into her lap. “I’m sorry, boy. I should have saved you some scraps. Tomorrow night, maybe?”
Calum called out. “Arrow! To me!”
The dog gave her a hand a final nudge and then trotted off with his master.
Caroline continued to gaze into her lap as she studied the dark green jewel-colored gown with its silver trimmed cuffs that she wore. The blurred image that stared back at her earlier from the silver-plated mirror was unrecognizable. All the primping and prodding she endured at Greer’s hands had been well worth it. Would Ian have thought the same?
Caroline was jolted awake by the sound of clashing metal outside her window. With her pulse racing, she shot from the bed and ran to the source. When she threw back the sash, her heart seized at the scene unfolding below.
She let out a blood-curdling scream at the sight of two dozen, half-naked men who wielded their blades through the air…and at each other. “We’re under an attack!” Greer grabbed the back of her night-rail, as her hand slipped at the window’s edge and stopped Caroline from falling to her death and cursed. “What in God’s name are ye doing? Have ye gone daft?”
To her mortification, each warrior below halted and stared straight up, slack-jawed and in her direction. Except Tam. His laughter echoed throughout the barmkin below, at her misunderstanding.
Calum shook his head, and she saw the creases along his forehead become more prominent with each second she hung from the window. They were starting to look less like irritation etched on his face, and more like fear. “Greer! Get that foolish lass back inside, before she breaks her bloody neck!” A few men snickered, but it swiftly diminished when Calum ordered, “All of ye back to work! Now!”
It was the first time, since Caroline arrived at Moy, that she thanked God Ian wasn’t present. However, she was sure Calum would retell Ian of the scene. She groaned within at her last thought. Somehow, she needed to make this right, and lessen the impact of her stupidity down a level…to a simple misunderstanding.
Before Greer could pull her, the remainder of the way in Caroline waved and yelled. “Sorry guys! My bad! I thought it was real! Carry on…or whatever you say!” Pleased by her efforts, she started her first full day in 17th century Scotland.
Caroline awoke in her new home for the third day. In the last few days, she had only one glimpse of Ian making his way to the stables. Seamus MacLeod, the captain at Moy, continued to fill the role of escort for the next two meals. Mo Daol, always gracious with her words and encourag
ement toward Caroline, she assured her that Ian’s absence was unavoidable, but that was not what hurt. It was that he found the time to keep everyone else apprised of his schedule, but could not even find a moment to explain it to her himself. Was it possible, now that she was here, did he regret all the secrecy around her presence? Maybe he wasn’t as enamored by her as she first thought. Either scenario didn’t sit well with her, and caused her doubts to fester.
Caroline decided what she needed was a mental health day. Even though the sounds of Greer shuffling about her room were enough to wake the dead, she stayed in bed. Once she had a good sulk, she’d get up and see what else this time period had in store for her.
At the sound of shattering glass she jumped, her heart pounded as she scoped the room. Through blurred eyes, she saw the remnants of the porcelain basin that once sat upon the table at the far end of her chamber upon the floor.
“Satan’s bollocks!” An unfamiliar maid with dull, black hair tucked into the white cap was on the floor and gathered broken shards of porcelain.
The ropes of the bed creaked, as she slipped out caused the woman to turn in her direction.
“My apologies, m’lady. I did not mean to awaken ye.”
“It’s fine. I was already awake. I was just lying there…” The depth of the maid’s blue eyes distracted her. They looked familiar, but she couldn’t place why. She had not laid eyes on her before today. She was sure of it. “I was waiting for Greer to kick me out of bed. Speaking of Greer, where is she?”
The maid removed the ewer of water from the table and placed it near the coals that smoldered in the hearth to warm it. From a brass bucket, the maid lifted a block of peat and threw it onto the embers. With the help of a poker, the woman stirred the flames to life.
Kissed by the Laird (First Ladies of the Fae Book 1) Page 18
