After what seemed like hours, she was finally dressed. The long dress felt strange, but the fabric was soft, and the gown fit well. The laces up the front made it somewhat easy to get dressed. “Where did you get the dresses?” Claire asked. Most fit, and there were only few alterations needed. One was done for today. The rest would keep her occupied later in the day. Apparently sitting around and doing some sewing was a big afternoon activity.
“They belong to Ian’s sister, Aliana. Dinna fret, they are a wee bit too small since she had the bairn. I believe it may be some time before there is a need for them. ‘Tis a fine thing that they will see some use.” Neala took a moment to admire her work. The blue had been a good choice; it brought out the reddish tones in Claire’s hair, or so Neala said. Taking Claire by the hand, she said, “Come now, child. Let us go down to the hall and break our fast.”
The staircase they descended opened into the great hall. A massive room filled with rows of tables and bench seats greeted them. It had a huge fireplace along the back wall and several corridors leading to other places in the keep. There were roughly twenty men seated in small groups eating while women came with trays of food and left with the dirty remains. The sounds of conversation and laughter filled the air.
A loud woman came through the corridor that Claire assumed was the way to the kitchen, breaking the peace. She shouted, “Hagan, where are you? You can nay avoid me all day. I will find you!” The woman stormed into the hall and stalked toward them with a small child in her arms. The woman’s dark hair and green eyes clearly resembled Ian’s looks. This must be his sister.
“Neala, have you seen him? You must be Claire.” Without waiting for an answer from either, the woman turned and resumed her shouting. “Hagan, where are you?”
“I am all but next to you, wife.” The loud woman turned to see Hagan enter from another corridor. “Why are you screaming to wake the dead?”
“Why am I screaming? I will tell you why.” Turning away from Hagan, she thrust the child into Claire’s arms. “Here, hold him.” She faced her husband and reached up to push his chest as she spoke. “I am screaming to find you. You can nay think to avoid me after what you have done. Once again you were gone this morning as it came upon me. ‘Tis the third day in a row. Do you ken what that means? Do you!”
The smile that lit Hagan’s face was the last thing Claire anticipated. He answered, “Aye, wife, I ken what that means.” With a grab at the hands that pushed at him, Hagan pulled Aliana into his arms.
“I told you she would not miss the gowns, Claire. Aliana is with child,” Neala whispered.
The angry woman turned into a sobbing one, as she listened to Hagan comforting his wife and speaking of his joy and want for the child to be. This man who had been so serious the night before was working magic. Before long they were both smiling. Those were the faces that now turned to Claire.
“Forgive me for my introduction, cousin. I am pleased you are here and welcome you. I am Aliana, and you have met young Cerwyn.” She moved to kiss Claire on the cheek and take back the child. “I should have come to greet you upon your arrival, but my arse of a husband did not speak of you until after you had gone to your rest.”
Claire could not help grinning as she answered, “I think it was late, and you weren’t exactly expecting me. Oh, and congratulations.”
Aliana replied, “That is another reason Hagan is an arse, for not telling me you were expected. A chamber should have been waiting for you. As for that, you can congratulate me after the sickness has passed several moons from now.”
“Who has sickness?” Ian’s voice carried through the hall as he entered, his gaze landing immediately on Claire.
She held her breath as Ian’s gaze wandered from her booted feet to the curve of her hip. She felt heat spread on her cheeks as his eyes stopped on the slight cleavage the dress revealed before reaching her face. The hunger was clear in his stare, the same as it had been at the inn. For just a second, she saw Ian poised above her as he had been two nights ago. A small shudder racked her body as the memory crept in unbidden.
Hagan diverted Ian’s path to Claire. “My wife is with child. You are to be an uncle again. With your soon-to-be-marriage, we will fill this keep with bairns.” Ian stiffened briefly before the embrace was returned.
“‘Tis fine news to begin the day with. Are you unwell already, Aliana?” Ian turned to ask his sister as he pulled her in for a hug.
“Am I unwell? Did you hear the part where I am with child? I will nay be fine again for some time. Thank the heavens you have brought Claire with you. I will need her help with Cerwyn. The child is only two years old and requires constant attention. Plus, there is much to do to prepare for your bride.” Aliana paused long enough to glare at her brother. “Do you still plan to go through with this nonsense?”
Ian returned her glare and took hold of the child. “Dinna start this again. The matter is settled. Dinna question me in my hall.”
“‘Tis my hall, too, and I will question you when you are being absurd.” Turning to Claire, Aliana asked, “Have you heard of this marriage? Such nonsense. These arrangements are not for our clan. They never have been.” Not waiting for a reply, Aliana continued, “But where are my manners? Come and sit. We will get to know one another while we break our fast.” Aliana sat by Claire’s side, “Well, you break your fast. I am not quite ready to eat yet.”
Neala’s voice sounded from behind them, “Here, sweeting, drink this, you ken that it helps. You should have told me straight away. There was no need for you to suffer.” Looking at Claire, Neala explained, “‘Tis an herbal that should soothe and keep the sickness from becoming too severe. Now, Aliana, when do we look for the child?”
“The drink does help, I had forgotten. Thank you, Neala. I believe mid-winter. If nay for the sickness, I doubt I would ken about the bairn.” Aliana answered after draining the cup.
Claire had been so caught up in the conversation the two women were having that she was a bit surprised to feel Ian sit beside her. Her heart skipped several beats as she looked at him dressed in a plaid and a clean shirt and had his hair pulled back. Since meeting Ian, she had not seen him like this. He was handsome while soaking wet and a bit dirty. Now he is amazing.
“This morn I can provide you with a fine meal, Claire.” Ian moved to fill a bowl with what looked like oatmeal, dried fruit, and cream and placed it in front of her.
Before she could voice her thanks, the toddler sitting in Aliana’s lap jumped to hers. “Eat. Eat. Eat.” Cerwyn placed the wooden spoon in Claire’s hand and opened his mouth. Laughing at the child’s enthusiasm, she started feeding him.
“Nay, Cerwyn, ‘tis a meal for Claire. Come to Mama, and I will get you your own dish.” Aliana’s attempt to take the child failed. He simply snuggled into Claire and answered, “Nay, nay, nay! Want Air, want Airey, want Laire.” Her name changed several more times with none of them being close to the real thing. She cringed as the child screamed “Larry,” and he laughed until his body shook. Somehow she was certain a horrible nickname had just been bestowed.
“He is no trouble, really.” Looking at the green-eyed child in her lap, she said, “You can stay, but you have to share. And please say Claire, not Larry.”
Laughter from the little one answered her, “Larry.” Ian’s laughter caught her attention.
“The child is greedy with his food and has yet to make all of his sounds correctly. Are you certain you wish him with you? He could be moved verra easily.” As he spoke, Ian filled another bowl and placed it in front of her.
A serious Hagan interrupted them. “Ian, there is no need for you to see to feeding Claire. She is my cousin, and I will tend to her.”
“‘Tis no trouble. The lass was poorly fed while we traveled, and I simply wish to make amends.” While playfully spoken, she felt his body tense at Hagan�
��s attempt to take over.
“‘Tis nay the first one you have fed is it, cousin?” Aliana asked.
Grateful for the tension breaker, Claire answered, “No, he isn’t. I’ve always enjoyed being with children.” She spoke as she fed the child in her arms. The simple talk of children gradually became a quiet conversation between the women.
Taking a now restless Cerwyn from Claire’s lap, Aliana asked, “Why have you nay married and had bairns of your own? It seems to be something you are well suited for.” Turning to her husband, Aliana asked, “What is wrong with your clan, leaving this one unspoken for? Surely there have been offers.”
Hagan stumbled for words, and she heard Ian’s cup hit the table a bit too hard. Speaking quickly, she said, “It was my own doing. I have spent most of my time working with accounts and little else.” There was no time for more of an explanation as Aliana interrupted.
“That is something we must change. ‘Tis a fine thing you are here. The accounts certainly need attention, and if the men of your clan are blind, we will have some here who are nay so stupid. I will see to it that you are introduced properly.”
Almost choking on her food, she replied, “There is no need for that, I mean, the accounts need to be seen to, and I still need to learn my way around here.”
“Of course. I forgot that this place is new to you. Come, I will show you around and introduce you to our clan. We can take the wee one to run outside as we look around.”
That was too easy. Seeing the look on Aliana’s face, mock innocence mixed with delight, Claire knew she was in trouble. A matchmaker was the last thing she needed or wanted now.
Interrupting the conversation, Ian said, “Nay, sister. I promised Claire on our journey that I would show her the grounds and the keep. Unlike our travels, this day promises warm sunshine.”
Hagan added, “I would nay have you break you word, brother. But there are matters that need your attention. You have been gone a while. Some things will nay wait any longer.” Claire heard the underlying truth in Hagan’s statement; she and Ian were to stay apart. “Your sister is more than capable of showing my cousin her new home.” His eyes settled on his wife with a smile signaling this victory.
“Come, Claire, the sun is out, and the child is restless.” Aliana rose and grabbed her arm. “We will have a fine morning.”
Ian stood with defeat written across his features. Claire felt the sadness creep back into her chest. He was not for her.
“What about the accounts? I planned to start today.” Claire spoke to Ian but kept her eyes safely on the child.
Ian said, “You have traveled far and hard. They will be there after you have had a chance to rest and refresh yourself. Take a few days to recover.”
Turning her eyes up to face Ian, she said, “I would prefer to start today, if that is okay. It’s hardly strenuous work.” Claire waited for a reply, hoping he would let her. A little time together today would be nice, just working of course.
Ian’s small smile told her that she had gotten her way. “If you wish, I can show you after the midday meal. We can spend the afternoon getting you acquainted with your tasks. If that is acceptable to you, Hagan?”
Hagan recognized Ian’s verbal challenge. “That should be fine. Then we should begin immediately with our work.”
Aliana took her cue. “Come, I will show you the grounds of your new home.”
Claire took the plain cloak Neala offered to keep away the morning chill and then followed Aliana to the main door. She turned briefly back to Ian, saw the hurt in his brilliant green eyes, and knew the day would have been perfect if he was the one showing her the grounds. If I had said yes, this day might have been ours to enjoy. After meeting Hagan, Claire knew the decision had been correct. These people needed more than she could even think of providing. Claire also knew that Ian’s gaze followed every step she made until she was long out of sight.
Chapter 8
Claire walked the corridor to the study. She entered the room and immediately felt more cheerful. A window looked into the gardens, and shelves stood on either side of the fireplace where Ian crouched and built a fire. There was so much in the chamber worthy of notice: the seating area against the wall, the tapestries covering the stone, and the large table covered in papers. Instead, she watched Ian’s back move as he stoked the flames in the fireplace.
Rising in a single fluid motion, Ian stood before her. No words of greeting were offered, just a warm smile that lit his green gaze. Ian’s hand tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, causing his fingers to brush gently down her neck. The sound of her quick breath filled the air.
“Are you sure you wish to begin this day, Claire?” The words were soft while his eyes searched her face, a very different question written on his features.
“I think so . . . I mean, yes?” Claire’s voice was too breathy for her liking. How can one simple touch make me feel this way? She took a deep breath intending to clear her mind but was only filled with his scent.
No one should smell this good.
She cleared her throat. “Where should we begin?”
“With something to eat,” Neala answered, carrying in a tray of food. She set it on a small table nestled between two chairs off to the side of the fire. “Since neither of you bothered to come to the hall, I’ve brought you something. Claire, sit close to the fire as the breeze outside still carries a chill. There is water for you and ale for Ian.” With an acknowledgment to Ian’s look of surprise, she added, “The lass and I spent a fine early morning talking. I am well aware of what is preferred.” She quickly filled the waiting cups. “There now, eat and then be about your business. I will be close at hand if you should need me, child. Forgive me for leaving, but there is much to be done.” With a quick nod, Neala was gone.
“Tell me, Claire, did you enjoy your tour of the grounds?” Ian asked while filling the plates with food.
As they ate, she talked of all she had seen: the front courtyard, the training area, the stables, the kitchen gardens, the outer buildings, and the cliffs overlooking the sea. “It was so beautiful. I’ve never seen a view quite like the one you have of the sea. It’s simply breathtaking. The only challenge was keeping Cerwyn from running too close to the edge.” Claire laughed as she told stories of the child and the mischief he found at every turn. “Then we ended with a quick stop in the kitchen, and here I am.”
“You went into the kitchen? You are braver than most.”
“You are afraid of the kitchen?” Claire caught his amused expression. “You’re teasing me, aren’t you?”
Ian’s smile faded. “‘Tis nay the kitchen I fear, but the woman who runs it.”
“Do you mean Finella? She was almost as nice to me as Neala. She even gave me a full tour.” Claire wondered who could be afraid of a woman who barely stood five feet and probably weighed less than ninety-five pounds.
“She is a strange one. Finella will only speak in her people’s tongue even though she understands everyone just fine. Nay a soul can remember a time when Finella dinna occupy the kitchens. That one rules her space and rules it well. I have learned throughout the years to stay out of her way.” Ian entertained her with stories of being chased from the kitchens as a small lad. Her laughter filled the study as he spoke of being sent away from there even as laird.
“Then I will make sure to be on my best behavior in the kitchen. She sounds like the wrong person to make angry. Though I must say I find it all hard to picture. Finella was so sweet to me.” Then it clicked in Claire’s mind, Ian’s comment about her people’s tongue. “Finella must really like me because she spoke to me in English, like you. Which is good or I wouldn’t have understood anything.”
Ian sat a little straighter in his chair. “We are speaking Gaelic, lass. Mayhap our people call the same tongue by different names.”
; Shaking her head, Claire said, “I’ve heard of a language called Gaelic and know only that it was spoken in this area of the world a long time ago.” She realized with a start that this was a long time ago. She rose from the seat before the fire and paced the length of the cozy chamber.
For whatever reason, she could mentally accept she was stuck, at least for now, in thirteenth century in Scotland. Understanding languages was something else entirely. The only thing she knew for certain was that she spoke English and that she had probably forgotten more of her high school Spanish than she remembered.
Ian’s voice cut into her mental fog. “Tell me why this troubles you.”
“I don’t speak Gaelic, much less any other language you would recognize. We shouldn’t be able to understand each other at all,” Claire explained as she paced. Her motion came to an abrupt halt when she found Ian standing in front of her. She had been so lost in the mystery that she hadn’t even heard him stand up.
Before she could blink, Ian held her face in his warm hands. He asked, “Do you ken the meaning of my words?”
“You are asking me if I understand what you are saying,” Claire replied. She was aware that she did nothing to put any distance between them.
“Has there ever been a moment when you dinna ken the meaning?” Ian demanded while his emerald eyes bore into hers.
Thinking over the question, she knew from the moment they had met, understanding each other verbally hadn’t been a concern. Too bad for me that my body has no issues either. With his hands cupping her cheeks and one thumb tracing her lower lip, Claire felt her breathing become rapid and shallow.
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