Kissed by the Laird (First Ladies of the Fae Book 1)

by Sydney Sloane

  “Do not fash yourself, m’lady.” The maid bent over to pick up a wayward piece of porcelain and mumbled. “The old hag…” The maid was quick to correct herself, “I mean Greer. She asked me to aid ye this morning.” The maid placed the garments Greer laid out the prior night over the end of her bed.

  Did she just refer to Greer as an old hag? Caroline knew the older maid was a bit rough around the edges, but the older woman was growing on her. Beneath those brusque words was a heart of gold. Still unsure of what her position was within the dynamics of this new life, Caroline let it go.

  Dressing in the morning in this century was far easier than in the evening…and less painful. During the day, the only undergarment Caroline wore was a linen chemise, which she slept in. Over that, she wore a woolen skirt and a kirtle to match. Her daytime attire was simple and tolerable. The constricting whalebone stays were replaced by a practical bodice that laced up the front. Greer still managed to cut off her air, but it still allowed her the freedom to move around. Now if she could get used to this century’s lack of panties. Even if she could sew a makeshift pair, the idea of wool against sensitive areas caused her to fidget where she stood. She’d adjust.

  Right now, she didn’t feel like doing anything. While the dull-haired maid went about her task and tidied the chamber, Caroline climbed into the wide stone frame of the window and stared at the thick copse of trees that lay beyond Moy. At Calum’s orders, the smithy fit and installed the window with iron bars, so there was no chance of her falling out. If Ian’s clansmen had not welcomed with such warm acceptance, she would have felt a prisoner.

  There was no glass in the windows, and the maid had thrown back the wooden sash. A brisk salty breeze flowed in from the loch. She closed her eyes, as the cries of the gulls above conjured up images of home. Harper’s Cove. An emptiness lodged deep inside her, and it grew each day with Ian’s absence. Yet, something deep within her soul told her this is where her fate, her happiness lied. It’s where her heart belonged.

  The sounds of metal against metal stirred her from her thoughts. Caroline opened her eyes and watched as Ian’s men filled the list below. With her legs tucked against her chest, she rested her chin upon her knees, as the men sparred with their heavy swords. Caroline gasped each time one of the men’s swords connected. Each blow was stronger than the last, and she wondered how many men were lost during practice by accident. Older warriors, despite the strands of gray threaded through their lengthy hair and beards, had bodies sculpted from stone. It wasn’t surprising. She felt the weight of Ian’s sword the night he appeared. The weapon had to weigh over ten pounds, but it was the length that made it awkward to lift. With Ian’s men this honed, it baffled her that the MacLaine’s had any enemies at all. As impressive as the scene below was, her attention waned. She really had truly watched, in hopes of getting a small glimpse of Ian.

  “The water in the pitcher is warm enough for ye to start yer ablutions. I will go and fetch ye another basin.”

  “Oh, you don’t have to go to all that trouble…I’m sorry, what did you say your name was?” She slid from the stone sill.

  “Tis no trouble at all, m’lady.”

  The maid opened the door, and Arrow bounded into her chamber and headed straight for Caroline’s bed. Once he was upon the counterpane, he began lap at her hands and feet. “Well, at least you missed me. Maybe I need a dog, not a man.” She scratched the big dog behind his ears, as she laughed.

  When Caroline looked up, the maid was gone.

  After breakfast, they retired to the solar. It was an antechamber off Mo Daol’s bedchamber. The late morning sun shone through the solar windows and filled the room with its bright rays. It was no doubt the reason they gathered in this room to do their needlework. The first time she stepped in this room, she noticed it was warmer, and no draft cut through. When the younger maid, Constance pulled back the draperies she knew why. Each of the openings was encased in real glass.

  Every morning they began their day with a bit of needlepoint. It was one of the brighter points of her 17th century routine. Thanks to her grandmother, she knew how to embroider and sew very well. Caroline had perfected the intricate French knot by the time she was eleven years old, and the rest of the stitches had come to her quite easily.

  What she needed was a walk to digest all the rich foods she consumed at breakfast. Caroline planned to eat only a bit of porridge. However, Greer remained steadfast on the quest to fatten her up. One bite of the poached salmon and she was in heaven. The next minute she couldn’t stop herself from sampling a little of each dish. The strange maid in her chamber earlier was all but forgotten.

  As was their routine for the last three days, Caroline followed Mo Daol up the stone staircase to the solar. For once, Caroline was thankful for the lack of light within the narrow stairwell so Ian’s grandmother wouldn’t see her waddle up the steps like an overstuffed penguin.

  “Your stitches are near perfect, Caroline.” Mo Daol bent toward her and whispered. “Did ye sew in…?” She checked to make sure the young maid, Constance was not eavesdropping before she finished her sentence. “Your time?”

  “Yes. My grandmother taught me how to make crafts, sewing, and how to read. We did a lot of reading.”

  “Yer learned?” Shock registered on her face.

  Caroline giggled at her astonishment. “Yes. I worked in a library.”

  “A library.” Mo Daol pressed her hand to the side of her face. “Oh, my. My Hector, Ian’s grandsire told me of a Drummond down in Perthshire that has opened a library. The Marquis of Montrose’s cousin I believe.” She patted Caroline’s knee. “Can ye believe anyone can just go borrow a book?”

  Constance came over and bobbed a curtsey. “I am through in here, m’lady. Shall I move onto yer bed chamber?”

  “Aye. Thank ye, Constance. That will be fine.”

  Constance nodded before retreating through the adjoining door.

  The door was barely latched shut when Mo Daol responded. “Oh, how splendid! I had a tutor as a young girl, as well. Ian’s study has a number of books. Hector, my husband, loved books and always brought a new tome home from his trips. Perhaps ye can select one and ye can read for us when we have a bit of refreshments this afternoon…if ye like.”

  “I liked that very much, Mo Daol.”

  They sewed in silence for the next quarter of an hour before she spoke.

  Mo Daol lifted her eyes from the wooden embroidery frame she held and finished pulling the needle through the fabric.

  “Ye have something on your mind, Caroline?

  She gave the woman a shy smile, as heat suffused her cheeks. “Ian?”

  “Give him some time. Three weeks have crept up on him, and the issue with the earl has not even been settled, as of yet.”

  “I understand and I’m sorry. You have all made feel very welcomed, and I have no right to feel this way.

  “No need to apologize, lass. Remember, I have been where ye are…it is not easy to adjust. I may not have all the fantastical things of your time to lose out on, but people…they are all the same when it comes to trusting outsiders.” She patted Caroline’s hand and went back to her embroidery frame.

  “Mo Daol?”

  “Aye?”

  “Ian’s mother. She no longer lives at Moy.” Caroline paused for a moment. “What I mean is, Delilah told me that you and your husband finished raising Ian and Calum.”

  “Tis a bit complicated. My husband and I had the one son, John. It was he that should have become laird of the MacLaine clan. The woman paused. “Then my John, Ian’s da, was killed in a skirmish during a cattle raid. All three of his boys were forced to grow up quickly.” Mo Daol looked past the glass of the solar windows. A nostalgic look played over her face. “Dear Judith. She was heartbroken when we lost John. Did no’ speak for weeks after we buried my son. All thought it best to send her back to her family for a spell. Judith never returned.” Mo Daol’s gaze came back to Caroline. “Most marry for allie
s…and John and Judith’s marriage was no different. However, the two were meant to be together. Their marriage was special, as was their love and respect for one another. I have not felt such desire between two people until…” A faint smile turned at the corner of the older woman’s mouth. “Since I saw ye with Ian the first day at the standing stones.” Caroline blushed at the Mo Daol’s last statement. “Do ye deny it? I would say ye are as besotted with Ian, as much as he is with ye.”

  Without responding to Mo Daol’s question, Caroline quickly diverted the conversation. “I didn’t realize Ian had been so young when he lost his father.” This information shed a whole new light on his need to protect her. It also strengthened the connection she felt to Ian. Despite the years between his time and her own, they had endured the same pain and loss of a parent. However, she was left with virtually no family. Caroline had endured every obstacle life threw in her path. Even if she developed a few odd behaviors, she had survived. Unlike her, he knew what it was like to have a family to support him through those difficult times.

  “Aye, he was a lad of twelve summers. Bran, the second oldest, was seventeen when he became Laird of Dunnideer. Under their uncle’s tutelage, Calum and Bran remained and trained to lead the Leslie Clan. Ian…” A mischievous smile played around the older woman’s lips. “He started to get lost in the shuffle of things. Judith decided to send him back to Moy to train. From the verra beginning you could see and feel the strong connection, Ian has to Mull. Besides, he was next in line to the lairdship. Ian was plenty old enough to begin his training. Ian was a mischievous lad. He did not seek trouble…it usually found him quite easily.”

  The somber atmosphere lifted with her last words. She laughed at the exasperated look on Mo Daol’s face. “Somehow that doesn’t surprise me.”

  “Aye. One day, Ian thought tae do a bit of target practice with his bow within the keep, and had a mishap with one of his mother’s vases and pinned cook to a doorframe in the process.”

  Mo Daol had the ability to tell a tale, and she could envision a carefree younger version of Ian, and the mischief that still twinkled in his eyes as a man.

  “Now, I have answered your question proper? It does not take much to get this ol’ mind off track.” She patted Caroline’s hand.

  “Aye.” Caroline responded.

  Mo Daol chuckled at her choice of words. “Aye. We will make a Highland lass out of ye yet.”

  Caroline’s face warmed at Mo Daol’s words.

  A knock at the door halted the women’s conversation.

  “Come in.” Mo Daol bid them entry.

  The sight of Delilah’s red hair appearing around the edge of the door brought a smile to her face.

  “Delilah, lass! Come in, come in! We were working on our needlepoint and talking.” The older woman looked down at the cloth in her lap and said, “Perhaps, more talking than stitching.” All three women laughed.

  “I was wondering if Caroline would care to take a walk with me while I fetch some plants in the forest. My stores are running a bit low, and I want to take advantage the warmer weather today.”

  “I think that is a delightful idea!” She looked toward Caroline. “Of course, it is completely up to ye.”

  Caroline patted her tummy and said. “I would love too! Besides, the way Greer has been feeding me these past three days, I’m liable to be as big as a horse soon.” She stood and placed her sewing articles in the basket next to her chair. “Will ye come with us, Mo Daol?”

  The older woman waved a hand. “Nay! I would only slow ye down.”

  Of all the elderly people Caroline knew, Mo Daol was the last person who would slow anyone down. How anyone could think Ian’s grandmother crazy, was ridiculous. The woman’s mind was quick, as was her wit and sharp words. From the look upon Delilah’s face Caroline knew they were thinking along the same lines. They looked at one another and burst out in laughter. By the time, they stopped tears ran down their cheeks and the muscles in their stomachs ached.

  Delilah spoke. “Ahhh, Mo Daol! Ye could no’ be further from the truth.”

  “Be gone with the both of ye and be sure to take Tam with ye.” She gave them both a smile. “And do not forget your cloaks. It may be warm, but there is still a chill coming off the loch.” The longer she was in Caroline’s presence, the more Mo Daol knew her and Ian were perfect for each other. She could see the loneliness in the girl’s eyes increase with each day that passed. “Ach, and why would it not, Hettie? Tis clear to one in all she is falling in love with the lad, if not already!”

  Enough was enough. The minute Ian came home from his latest travels to Hamish MacLeod’s holdings in the north of Mull, she would have a talk with him. He had been less than willing to admit the Tir Nam Famhair’s power in the past, but that was behind them now. Why did he wait to make his feelings known?

  It was not in her nature to sit back and let things play out, especially when it came to love. What Ian needed was a bit of a nudge and by tonight he’d get the nudge of a lifetime. Mo Daol would make sure of it.

  Chapter Twenty

  Dressed in a fresh tartan and tunic, Ian descended the steps two at a time. The sounds of pipes and drums flowed upward from the great hall below. His mouth pinched into a tight line, as he ran a hand through his dampened hair. He missed the evening meal, but it was not the absence of food causing his ire, but his inability to keep his promise to Caroline.

  By the time, Ian found a resolution to the last dispute that involved two clansmen and a lame horse, the sun had slipped low behind the copse of trees. He decided to forgo a hot bath in his chambers, for a dip in the icy loch. Failing on a promise was not a common occurrence for him, but that is exactly what he had done. The need to make it up to her increased with each passing minute. Though it was not the same, he sent the captain of his guard and his best friend, Seamus MacLeod in his stead, along with his own apologies.

  As he passed through the triangular opening from the apartments above, he was met by the boisterous sounds of laughter and cheers. The kitchen staff had seen the trestle tables moved to one side of the room, with the exception of the head table upon the dais. Dancers kept pace with the swift beats of the drums, as the fiddler’s bow drew out a reel. He did not have time for the festivities, not until he apologized to Caroline.

  From where he stood, he could see his grandmother deep in conversation with Greer. When he spied the surrounding chairs empty, his heart raced. Calum’s absence did not concern him. No doubt he was in a darkened alcove lifting the skirt of a willing maid, but where was Caroline? Cursing himself a fool, he cut through the crowd toward Mo Daol and Greer.

  “Where is Caroline?” His gaze continued to flit around the room, in hopes of settling his eyes upon her.

  Both women paused at his abrupt interruption, but it was Mo Daol’s sharp tone that replied to his question. “Really, Ian! Must ye be such a brute? That is no way to greet a lady, let alone your grandmother.”

  He nodded his head at both women and said. “My apologies, Mo Daol…Greer. I am afraid my duties kept me longer than expected and I was concerned for the lass’s comfort. Is Caroline well? I did not see her when I arrived. Has she retired to her chamber?”

  “Did ye not leave the girl in our care…of course, she is well. How could ye not see her when ye entered the hall?” She thrust her chin in the direction of the dancers.

  Carefully, he eyed the throng of onlookers, but no Caroline. In the midst of the dancers, he spied Calum with an unfamiliar girl upon his arm. His brother wielded a smiling lass around so fast, it caused her skirt to hug around Calum’s legs. Then as the dance dictated, she slid back into the opposite line with the other women. He was about to turn and head to Caroline’s chamber, when he stopped mid-stride. Looking toward the line of woman dancing the reel, his eyes widened at the vision standing across from his brother. Caroline. It canno’ be.

  While they finished their reel, he leaned against a wall, arms crossed in front of his chest and drilled a
hole at his brother’s back. Perhaps, he had not made it clear she was off limits to all, especially his brother. The music stopped and the couples dispersed. Some headed out into the cool air to catch their breath and others quenched their thirst on ale and mulled wine. Ian leaned against the wall, his eyes followed Caroline’s every movement. They broke away from the assembly. Close behind, his brother directed her with a hand to the small of her back. There was no way she could have seen him earlier, but as she broke away from the group, their eyes met. With clenched fist, he took a step closer and shot a warning look toward Calum. As though he understood, his brother removed his hand and placed it back by his own side. Caroline excitedly flung her arms around his neck in a tight embrace and he was quick to adjust his footing. “Did you see me, Ian? That was so much fun. I’ve always loved to dance, not that I have had many opportunities to try it out. I went to a wedding once…years ago, but this was fabulous.”

  A flush caressed Caroline’s face and she fairly glowed. She was the loveliest creature Ian had ever seen. The deep rich color of the gown and its silver trim enhanced her dark tresses, while the scent of heather that twined through her plaits teased his senses. Never in his life had he seen such an exquisite vision. He would never tire of this sight. “Aye, I saw ye, lass.” In my brother’s arms.

  A knowing smirk spread across his brother’s face before he spoke. “Och, Ian. I was just entertaining the, lass while ye straightened out the mess ye left us. I assume all went well?”

  His jaw twitched. “Aye, all is fine…for now. The deed is secure in a verra safe place, and will not be removed until I have resolved my quandary with, Argyll. The deed in hand is worth its weight in gold, is it not?

  Calum nodded. “Argyll does not like to lose, but I do not see how he can succeed against a deed and a wax seal.”

  “I do not foresee any issues, but then again it is a Campbell we are up against.” Ian lifted a brow.