“And I want the Munros brought to the hall,” Quinn added as he escorted Evie up the steps. When they reached the landing, he took hold of her left hand and kissed it. The intensity of his gaze made her heart beat faster. “I want that ring back on yer hand, m’lady. Never take it off again, understand?”
“Yes, my chieftain,” she promised quietly. “I understand.” Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted her maids and Mrs. Dingwall headed her way. Instead of facing them head-on, she tiptoed for a lingering kiss to ensure no doubt of her intentions remained. “After I’ve freshened up, I shall join you in the hall. Yes?”
“Aye, m’love. Dinna tarry, ye ken?”
She nodded, then charged forward, ready to face her welcoming committee of two friendly maids and a formidable housekeeper.
Chapter Fifteen
“M’lady?” Lorna’s nervouscall echoed through the passage as she and Agnes scurried along behind her, trying to keep up with her hurried stride. Mrs. Dingwall had quickly abandoned the chase, snorting out a disgruntled huff as she veered off toward the kitchens.
“I’d like to freshen up, please.” Evie gave the request, as if nothing unusual had taken place, and every bride ran away from her groom the day after their wedding. “I fear I have managed to get myself quite grubby.”
“Aye, m’lady. As ye wish.” Agnes raced around her and made it to the chamber door first. Face red and puffing for air, she pushed it open with a polite curtsy. “Would her ladyship like some water prepared for her special broth?”
Tempted as she was, this was no time to sit and enjoy the last of her tea. She needed to clean up and be quick about it, so she could have a word with Fern before she joined Quinn downstairs. Fern might have answers she needed. “No, thank you. Perhaps, later.” She unlaced the front of her kirtle as she rushed across the sitting room. It was then she noticed a tear at the base of the seam. “Oh dear, I tore it when I fell.”
“When ye fell?” Lorna squeaked. “Be ye injured, m’lady?”
“Scraped my leg a bit. Nothing serious.” As she wrestled the gown off, she hurried to her dressing table. There it was. Right where she had left it. She slid the precious wedding ring back on her finger. The weight of it, the band’s comfortable fit, was like a proper welcome home that made her smile.
“Is everything all right, m’lady?” Lorna asked, easing around her with the unmistakable hopefulness that she would soon hear some juicy secret.
“No, it is not.” What better way to find out information than to feed some news to those who might overhear everything in the keep?
“M’lady?” Agnes crept closer with a fresh shift clutched to her chest.
Evie leaned in as if sharing the deepest, darkest secret with them. “Someone tried to kill Qui… Himself again. In the woods to the south.”
Both maids drew in a sharp intake of breath and backed up a step.
“That makes three times, m’lady,” Lorna whispered. She stole a glance around the room as if they weren’t alone. “During a hunt a sennight afore he met ye was the first. Then at the waterfall. Now, today.”
“Nay, Lorna. Ye have it wrong.” With a prim scowl, Agnes held up four fingers. “The first was before the hunt. Remember Himself’s trip to Edinburgh back in the spring?”
Recollection arched both her dark brows to her hairline as Lorna bobbed her head with dizzying speed. “Aye! I had forgotten the trip to Edinburgh.”
“Four times?” Evie wanted to ensure she had the details straight. She counted off on her fingers. “Edinburgh, a hunt, the waterfall, and now today?”
“Those are all we know of,” Agnes assured.
“Thank Heavens the man has the nine lives of a cat.” Evie waved them forward. “Hurry, help me wash and dress. I must speak with Fern before I go downstairs. I’m sure she has thoughts on the matter. This bloody fool has to be stopped before he gets lucky and robs us of our chieftain.”
As if leading a charge into battle, the pair of maids descended upon her.
After a quick scrub, fresh clothes, and a passable straightening of her hair, Evie hurried down the steps to Fern’s suite of rooms. While she hated to bother Quinn’s sister when the woman needed rest, it had to be done, and she felt sure Fern would agree. She tapped on the door.
Janet answered, gracing her with a welcoming smile and opening the door wide. “The bairns are doing so well, m’lady, and Lady Fern gets stronger by the day.”
“That is truly wonderful news, Janet.” Evie tipped her head toward the partially ajar door to Fern’s room. “Is she awake? I’d like to look in on her if I may.”
“Aye, yer ladyship.” The grandmotherly maid trundled across the room and eased the door open wider. “M’lady? Lady Evaline is here to visit with ye.”
Propped among a barrage of pillows, Fern smiled and waved her forward. “Praise God Almighty, ye came back to him.” With a kindly smile and a nod at the door, she dismissed Reah and Janet. “Poor things. I’ve worn them ’til their edges are frayed. Janet there used to help watch over Quinn and myself when we were bairns in the nursery. And Reah’s so inexperienced with babes, she’s afeared she’ll do something wrong. She’s constantly fretting about Alexander being so much smaller than Evalie.”
“I promise I shan’t keep you long.” Evie made her way to the wide wooden cradle in the corner beside the bed. She bent to admire the babies, pleased with their healthy coloring and plump little cheeks. “All of you should sleep when the babies do,” she softly advised. The precious newborns lay tucked in close together, swaddled and peaceful, their tiny pink lips working as though they were still at the breast. Alexander had some catching up to do with his sister when it came to size. She made a mental note to keep a close eye on his progress. “Still latching on and eating well? Both of them?”
“Aye, both are fierce eaters. Thank goodness, I’ve a wet nurse to help. Isla’s a blessing for sure.” After a glance at the door, Fern patted the bed. “Come, sister. Sit. We need to speak of things other than bairns.”
