“Why, the lassie is soaked clean through,” the man-at-arms said, looking closely at the girl. “Would ye nae like to take her inside the castle for some broth before I take ye on?”
“No,” Lona said, settling the matter herself, “but I thank you, sir. I must get to my mistress as quickly as possible, for the news I carry is of great importance.”
The man hurried off, and Rowan said, concerned, “We could stop for a bit, Lona, if you want.”
The girl shook her head. “‘Tis already almost midday, Rowan, and ‘tis growing colder. This rain will be snow by nightfall, and it grows dark early, being December. You must return to Grayfaire lest you be discovered missing. ‘Twould make Seger suspicious, and then he’d begin poking about. If he does, he’ll find me gone, and my lady’s mare as well. Da would have a difficult time explaining that to Sir Jasper, and though he professes to be content to allow Da to remain the Captain of Greyfaire Keep, Seger covets his authority and his place. Now that poor Lady Rowena is dead and there are no more Greys at Greyfaire, who knows what will happen. Times are not good, brother, and I don’t want our father to lose his place, and our family their home. Sir Jasper has no kindness in his soul.”
He considered her words and thought her wise for a girl. He was a bit abashed at himself, for he would have never thought that his father could be in danger. His father had always seemed so all-powerful to Rowan. Yet Lona’s words made good sense, so when the clansman returned to say he might escort them to Glen Ailean, Rowan thanked him and they continued immediately upon their way.
Cheviot Court, Lord Fleming’s house at Glen Ailean, was in a proper uproar that day, for the bride had discovered a blemish upon her cheek that sent her into a fit of tears, for she was certain it would not be gone by her wedding day. It was into the midst of this confusion that FitzWalter’s children arrived. Arabella, coming down the main staircase of the house, saw them standing in the reception room, Lona sneezing once again, and fell upon them with a shriek of joy. The clansman grinned, pleased at having served the new countess, whom few had really seen yet, as she had been living here at Glen Ailean.
“Lona! Rowan! How is it you are here? What of my mother? What ofGreyfaire?Speak! Speak!”
Lona sneezed again.
“Ohh, dear,” Arabella said, “you are soaked, both of you, poor things!” She turned to the clansman.”Will you take Rowan to the kitchens that he may dry out, please? Lona, come with me!”
“Mistress…Lady Arabella,” Rowan said. “I cannot stay. Da took the horses from the keep by stealth, and I must get the gelding back before ‘tis discovered missing. Lona has brought you your own mare, which Da says is to remain.”
“You cannot leave until you are dry, Rowan,” Arabella said firmly. “Go to the kitchens and I will find other garments for you while you eat. Your horse will need a rest as well. ‘Tis a bad day to be out.”
“‘Tis good advice, lad,” said the earl, entering the reception room, for he had learned of the new arrivals. “Fergus, take the boy to the kitchens, and then stable his horse properly.”
“Aye, m’lord!” the clansman answered, and men he smiled half shyly at Lona. “I hope ye’ve nae caught the ague, mistress,” he told her, and then turning abruptly, he escorted Rowan out.
Lona felt a blush suffuse her already hot cheeks. The young clansman was certainly a handsome fellow. She might learn to like this dank, cold gray land after all.
“Arabella, go to my mother and tell her of yer servant’s arrival,” the earl said. “The lass will need a hot bath and dry clothes herself. Let me gie her a wee dram of whiskey to warm herself, and then I will take her to the kitchens to bid her brother farewell before I send her along to ye.”
Arabella flashed her husband a warm smile, pleased at his kindness toward Lona and Rowan. Then she hurried off.
The earl turned to Lona, even as he poured her a small whiskey. “The news, lass?”
“Lady Rowena is dead, my lord. In childbirth. The boy with her.” She took the proffered dram and gulped it down, gasping suddenly as it hit her stomach like a fireball and spread heat throughout her veins. “By our Lady! ‘Tis powerful drink, my lord!”
Tavis Stewart laughed. “Aye, lassie, that it is,” he agreed with her. “Finish yer story though, lest my wife return.”
Lona nodded. “My father is FitzWalter, the Captain of Greyfaire Keep, my lord. He cannot openly oppose Sir Jasper Keane for fear of endangering my mother and our family, but his loyalty is with the Greys of Greyfaire. He wanted Lady Arabella to know of her mother’s death. He says Sir Jasper will move quickly to consolidate his position.”
“Aye, he will,” the earl remarked. “I know I would if I were in his place. And ye, lass? What of ye? Yer father sent ye to Dunmor for safety’s sake, I imagine. Yer a pretty wench, and Sir Jasper, as we all know, has a roving eye.”
Lona blushed and a small giggle escaped her, but then she caught herself. “My aunt Elsbeth was Lady Rowena’s personal servant, my lord, and I was being trained to serve Lady Arabella. My father did, indeed, send me from Greyfaire for safety, but he could just as easily have married me off, for I had offers. I prefer, however, to enter my lady’s service, if she will have me.”
Tavis Stewart had spent the last three months courting his hot-tempered English bride, who was still his wife in name only after six months of marriage. Though he was just beginning to admit it to himself, he was falling in love with Arabella. He wanted her at Dunmor, and he wanted her in his bed. He knew all about FitzWalter, his wife Rosamund, Rowan, Lona and all their siblings, for Arabella had told him everything of her life. His wife had missed Lona, and pretending that he would “allow” her to remain with Arabella could just possibly win this game of courtship that they had been playing this whole long autumn.
“Aye, she’ll hae ye, lassie,” he said to Lona. “She’s missed ye greatly. I must, however, ask ye a great favor.”
“Anything, my lord!” Lona promised. Arabella was so lucky, she thought. This great lord was even more handsome than Sir Jasper!
“My sister, Ailis, is to be married on the fifth day of this month. If ye tell my wife of her mother’s death, ‘twill throw a pall over the festivities. ‘Tis not as if Arabella could slip quietly away to mourn alone. She is my wife, and I am head of my family. Such news could spoil Ailis’ wedding, and I am most doting of her, for she is my youngest sister.”
“I am willing, my lord, but my lady will pester me to death for news of Greyfaire, and if I avoid the issue, she will begin to wonder what is wrong. I cannot lie to her,” Lona said, distressed.
“Aye, she is as determined as a rat terrier,” the earl said with a chuckle, “but if ye will pretend to be ill, Lona, she will nae question ye until ye are well enough again. Can ye do it?”
“Aye, my lord, but can I fool the others in this house?”
A knock sounded upon the door, and the earl called out his permission to enter. Flora bustled into the room. A grin lit Tavis Stewart’s handsome features. “Flora will help us, lassie!” he said, and then quickly explained the predicament.
