“I am in need of help,” Celeste continued. “Not only for me, but also for my younger sister.” Her gaze centered on the older girl, whom she guessed to be slightly younger than Melisandre. She explained to the women about Rowena’s intent to force them out. “I can’t let that happen,” she finished.
“Then why did you leave her behind?” Nairna asked.
“Their anger was directed toward me, not her. They did not wish to give up my widow’s portion, when Lionel de Laurent inherited my husband’s lands. I left Melisandre with my maid. I trust her to take care of my sister until I return.” She felt uneasy explaining all this to the women.
“I will speak to my husband and ask what can be done,” Laren said, setting down her quill. “Dougal may be able to accompany you back to Eiloch, to bring your sister to safety.”
Nairna sent Laren a conspiratorial smile. Abruptly, she asked Celeste, “Did you find him handsome?”
She blinked at that. “Well, yes, but—” He meant far more to me than that, she wanted to say. At the pleased look on Nairna’s face, she found herself unable to say any more.
“Nairna, don’t,” Laren warned. To Celeste, she added, “We will hold a feast this night to welcome you to Glen Arrin. It has been some time since we’ve had any visitors. And our husbands will discuss how to help you.”
“And how we can coerce Dougal into being your protector,” Nairna said. “He’s been alone for far too long.” She beckoned to Ailsa, taking the comb and guiding it through the girl’s tangled hair. Deftly, she braided the strands, tying it off with a bit of thread.
“It’s too soon for that,” Laren argued. “She buried her husband only a short while ago, Nairna.”
The woman sobered, her hand coming up to rest on her throat. “You’re right, of course. I spoke without thinking.” Her face had gone pale, and she admitted, “I would die if anything happened to Bram. Please don’t be upset with me.”
“My husband and I were friends,” Celeste said. “I’ll miss him, of course, but the marriage was arranged.” Truthfully, she had not thought of Edmon a great deal. Aside from sharing meals and a bed with him, he’d been too busy overseeing the estates. She had felt like an old cloak in many ways—there when he needed her, but Celeste didn’t delude herself into believing Edmon had ever cared about her. He’d wanted her as a possession, not someone to love. Now that he was gone, she felt a slight sense of loss, but it was not heartrending.
What troubled her more was Dougal. She felt as if she were walking upon a barely frozen lake with him, afraid of taking any misstep. It wasn’t clear how he felt about her, and she was wary of saying the wrong thing.
“Don’t be embarrassed by me,” Nairna apologized. “I tend to speak my mind and ask the questions I want to know. You needn’t answer anything that makes you uncomfortable.”
“She’ll find out the answers anyway,” Ailsa remarked, under her breath.
Nairna smiled at her niece, but her eyes gave a warning. Waving a hand, she ordered the girls out. “Go and begin the preparations. The men and women can bring foods to share, and we’ll have music as well.”
When the girls had gone, Celeste steadied her nerves. Tonight, she would confront Dougal and learn whether he was willing to help her. If he refused, she could speak to some of the other men. Although she hadn’t the least idea of whether anyone would want to assist her, she had to try. Gaining the support of Nairna and Laren would make it easier, if she could find the right way to broach the subject.
An idea struck her, one that might work. Although it meant stretching the truth, it was better than the alternative.
“I wonder if you could help me,” she began, feeling humiliated by what she must ask. “There is . . . another way I could protect my sister. If I were to find someone appropriate to marry.”
As she’d predicted, Nairna warmed to her suggestion. “There are many unmarried men among the MacKinlochs,” the woman agreed.
Laren held up a hand, intervening, “But you’re wanting a nobleman, are you not?”
“I want a man who can keep us safe,” Celeste answered, trying to hold to the truth as much as possible. “And I don’t wish to be a burden upon anyone.” She crossed her arms, feeling embarrassed by the confession, though it was true.
The two women exchanged looks. “Dougal is unmarried and he’s quite good at keeping a woman safe,” Nairna suggested. “But there are others who might suit, as well.” Without letting her answer, the woman studied Celeste. “The women like Dougal because he’s handsome and quiet. They won’t be glad of your arrival, I can tell you that.”
Celeste made no reply, though she wasn’t anticipating the interference of other women. “Could you help me find some possible candidates? And tell me what should I do to attract the right sort of man?” Her cheeks burned at the lies she was speaking, though likely they would believe she was simply embarrassed.
The truth was, she couldn’t imagine flirting the way other women did. She didn’t know how to smile in a way that drew a man to her. Even the idea of trying to seduce one was horrifying.
Nairna tilted her head to one side. “The gown you’re wearing is nice enough, but you need something to help you. She went into a small chest and brought out a golden necklace with colored green glass as a pendant. “Wear this.”
She fastened the chain around Celeste’s neck, and the pendant fell just between her breasts.
“Perfect,” Nairna pronounced. “It will draw his attention in the right direction.” When Celeste gaped at her, Nairna laughed. “Don’t look at me like that, Lady Eiloch. You were married. You know where the men will be looking.”
She reached for the pendant, feeling even more disconcerted by all this. Laren was the one who saw through her nerves and added, “Unless her marriage was not a good one.”
Nairna’s smile faded. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think of that.”
Celeste let out a slow breath. “Our marriage was much the same as any other. He desired me and our union was good enough.”
