“If I were your wife, Donald Fleming, I would have poisoned your ale long since,” Arabella replied spiritedly, “and any man foolish enough to raise a weapon of any kind to me will find it quickly broken over his head or buried in his heart!”
“Spoken like a true warrior Countess of Dunmor,” said her husband with a grin, and he gave Arabella a hard kiss.
Donald Fleming rolled his eyes with exasperation. His English sister-in-law was the most irritating and strong-willed woman he had ever known. He did not understand why his eldest brother would put up with her. His mother patted his arm comfortingly.
“Dinna fret, laddie,” she said softly. “One day ye’ll meet a lass, and no matter what she does or says, everything about her will be wonderful. ‘Tis love, Donald.”
“If love forces a man to be less than a man,” grumbled Donald, “then I’d just as soon nae find myself in such a state, Mother.”
“Gieing a woman her own way where ‘twill do nae harm is nae being less than a full man, Donald, but ye’ll find that out for yerself one day,’’ Lady Fleming told him with a knowledgeable smile.
“I don’t know who would want to wed with Donald,” Arabella told her husband in a low tone. “He’s like a great, clumsy, ill-tempered old dog.’’
“He hae good qualities too, lassie,” the earl said.
To Arabella’s surprise, one of her brother-in-law’s good qualities was soon more than apparent, for Meg and Ailis delivered their babies within a few days of each other in late September, and Donald Fleming found himself rendered helpless with love for the two infants, both of whom were boys. The big man was fascinated by the babies, and his rough features softened as he looked upon them. Arabella would even swear that there were tears in his eyes as he cradled his sister’s son at the boy’s christening, where he stood as the lad’s godfather.
Lona, too, was intrigued with the new babies, taking every moment she might steal when they were about to coo at them, and cuddle them. At first Arabella was surprised, for Lona, coming from a large family, had never before evinced such an interest in children. Then, suddenly, it occurred to her that her childhood friend might be in love. Yet Lona had confided nothing to her, and surely she would have, Arabella thought. Still…the Countess of Dunmor decided to keep a close watch upon her young servant. Indeed, she felt it her duty, for she could not allow FitzWalter’s daughter to be seduced while in her care!
Arabella’s patience was finally rewarded at Martinsmas when she saw the young clansman called Fergus helping the blushing Lona to carry a basket of apples into the hall.Fergus!Of course, she thought with a smile. He was always hanging about them when he was not at his duties. As they sat in the hall one evening listening to the piper, Arabella spoke softly to her husband.
“The young man who first brought Lona and her brother to us, Fergus? What can you tell me of him, my lord?”
The earl thought for a moment, and then as his eyes lit with remembrance he said, “Fergus MacMichael. A good lad wi’ a good future. A man-at-arms, but he’ll be a captain one day, I think.”
“Has he a wife?”
The earl considered her query a minute, and then shook his head. “Nay.” Then he looked at his own wife. “Why this curiosity, lassie?”
“I think Lona casts her eyes in his direction, and he seems to be amenable. I would be certain he does not dishonor her, or break her tender heart, my lord. Lona is not simply my servant, but my friend.”
“I’ll speak wi’ the lad, madame, and be certain he is free to court Lona,” the earl promised his wife.
On the following morning Fergus MacMichael found himself called into his lord’s presence, and Tavis Stewart wasted no time in coming to the point.
“Would ye court the lass who serves my wife, laddie?”
The young man flushed, but his gaze never wavered from that of his lord’s. “Aye, my lord, I would.”
“Yer free to?”
“Aye, my lord.”
“Then ye hae my permission, and that of my lady’s, but ye’ll nae seduce Lona, or shame her.”
“Nay, my lord, never!”
“Then we understand each other,” the earl said, dismissing his clansman.
Tavis Stewart reported the conversation to his wife that night as they cuddled with each other in their bed. “I hope he’ll make yer Lona as happy as ye’ve made me, Arabella Stewart,” he murmured softly, kissing her brow.
And the very next day Lona came blushingly to her mistress saying, “I have a suitor, ‘Bella!’’ Her eyes were bright with her happiness. “I didn’t dare to hope he would ever see me inthatway, but he has!”
“Would it be that handsome young clansman, Fergus MacMichael?” Arabella teased Lona.
“How did you know?!”
“Oh,” Arabella said offhandedly, “I’ve seen the way he looks at you these past months, Lona, and so I asked my husband to be certain that his intentions toward you were honorable. I am assured they are.” She chuckled, and then added mischievously, “But not too honorable!”
