“I don’t know. I suppose they must have eaten earlier.”
“Has it always been this way between them?” she whispered.
He shrugged, and she took that to mean he didn’t know. But then, she supposed Alex had married during Bram’s imprisonment.
“Would you mind if I went to speak with Laren?” she asked. “I’d like to meet her daughters.”
“Go, if you like. But I’m not staying here much longer. You can meet me in the grain hut.”
He lifted her hand to his mouth, pressing a kiss upon her palm. The warmth of his breath made her flesh rise up and a ripple of anxiety flowed through her as she wondered whether Bram would find her pleasing as a wife.
Nairna followed the winding stairs to the second floor where there were only two chambers. Voices came from inside the first room and she listened a moment to the sounds of girls chattering.
She pushed the door open slightly and saw two girls, one hardly more than four, and a chubby baby girl, perhaps a little over a year old. Each had hair as red as an autumn leaf, with sweet faces and bright blue eyes.
A pang of envy struck Nairna hard, seeing the beautiful children. One day, she reminded herself. She had to hold faith that God would answer her prayers.
Laren was brushing the older girl’s hair while the child whined, “Mama, that hurts!”
“Mairin, stand still and let me get the tangles out,” Laren said. No longer did the chief’s wife appear timid and overwhelmed. Instead, she seemed relaxed and in command of her children.
But as soon as she caught sight of Nairna, the brush stilled. “Was there something you needed?”
“I wanted to meet your children,” Nairna said, smiling at the girls. The youngest daughter ran over and grasped Laren’s skirts before burying her face to hide. Her wispy red hair stuck out around her ears in wild curls and Nairna had the urge to kiss the soft little cheeks.
“This is Adaira.” Laren extricated her daughter from her skirts. “Mairin is my eldest.”
The child gave a slight curtsy but looked suspicious. She strode forward and studied Nairna. “I don’t like your gown.”
“Mairin,” her mother warned. “Don’t be rude.”
Nairna pulled a stool over and sat down. “That’s all right. I don’t really like it, either, but I don’t have many gowns.”
“Me, either.” Mairin sighed. “I wish we’d gone away with the others.”
“Why didn’t you?” Though Nairna spoke to the young girl, her eyes met Laren’s.
“Our da needs us,” Mairin pronounced. “He’d cry if we left.”
Laren’s face softened at her daughter’s prediction. “It’s time that both of you were in bed. Come now, and say good night.”
She leaned down to kiss each of them, and Nairna studied the gloves that Laren still wore. Though it was cold enough, true, she couldn’t imagine why the woman kept them on unless it was to hide something.
After the children were tucked into bed, Laren sent Nairna a nod of dismissal as she turned to leave.
“Wait. I wanted to speak with you,” Nairna pleaded. If there were any answers to be had, the Lady of Glen Arrin would know them. “For just a moment.”
Reluctance colored Laren’s expression, but she finally acquiesced. “All right.” She led Nairna down the small corridor to the other chamber.
Inside, a stunning tapestry hung from the walls. The bold colors were captivating and something about the design struck Nairna as unusual. It was a common scene of Saint John the Baptist, yet the colors were vibrant. “Did you make that?” Nairna asked. It was artistry such as she’d never seen before. Worthy of hanging within a palace, if the truth be known.
Laren nodded. “What did you wish to ask me?” From her dull tone, it appeared that she was uncomfortable with having to converse.
“Why did the women leave?” Nairna asked.
“Because of the English raids,” Laren said. “Lady Grizel, Alex’s mother, led them to take refuge with Lord Locharr. There was too much fighting and she thought they would be safer there.”
“And you chose not to go with them?” Nairna prompted. Though it was only curiosity, she hadn’t expected the look of hurt that crossed Laren’s face.
