That thought made her sad.
Chapter 7
Siena dressed in a cream-colored gown with a light blue bliaut. She wore a braided belt of the same material draped on her hips. It felt good to be dressed in something other than the drab gray she’d worn today.
“Please do something special with my hair,” Siena said.
“I take it you want to look your best tonight, milady?”
“Yes. I’m not sure why, but I feel nervous as if I’m seeing everyone for the first time.”
Agatha laughed. “How about the first time you have actually been awake?”
Siena smiled. “Well, that is true.” She wasn’t sure why it was so important for her to look her best, but she did want to make a good impression on Roderick’s family. So far, he’d been kind to her, however, she wasn’t a relative; therefore, she wasn’t sure what that meant for her future.
After getting final approval from Agatha, the two of them made their way downstairs. Once they were on the steps leading to the great hall, they stopped and looked at all the long tables that were already filled with brawny soldiers. Black Dawn’s great hall was so much larger than the one back home. She supposed Roderick did have more men to feed. There were four long, wooden tables plus the high table.
The high table stood upon a wooden platform to one side of a massive stone fireplace, which was ablaze with a roaring fire. Roderick was seated at the table with his back to a stone wall. The candles held in loops on the wall brackets bathed the room in light along with the tripod candlesticks on the tables.
Roderick glanced up and motioned for her and Agatha to join him. Carefully, they made their way among the tables, listening to the grumbles as some of the bigger men had to lean in, so she could pass by them. She noticed that the rushes were clean and smelled of fresh mint, which was very nice and much different from home. Her brother’s men had been pigs when it came to eating. She’d usually eaten in her room to avoid them.
“Where shall I sit, milord?”
“Why don’t you and Agatha sit here. He pointed to the chairs on his right.”
“But, sire,” Agatha protested. “Should I sit at the high table?”
“If I commanded it,” Roderick replied. “We are not that formal here. Ye are my guest, so please have a seat.”
Siena noticed the chair to his left was also empty. Tonight, she would meet his wife. She couldn’t remember the woman’s name, but she did remember that she had been very pretty, and lucky to have someone strong like Roderick to protect her.
“’Tis good to finally have ye dining with us,” Roderick said. “How are ye feelin’? You are not as pale as ye were this afternoon.” He couldn’t believe how beautiful Siena appeared tonight. There was still a little discoloring under one of her eyes, but other than that she had healed nicely. Where her hair had been dull before, now it was a glossy color that was as black as a raven’s wing, and when she turned his way, he noticed her eyes appeared silver as if they glowed.
“I’m much better, thank you,” she said. “I’d probably be dead if not for you.”
It took Roderick a few minutes before he remembered he’d asked her a question. The woman made his mind meander and that was never a good thing for a warrior. Warriors should not feel anything, and to let their minds wander could get them killed. He would have to work on that problem and remember his discipline. But Siena’s eyes seemed to capture him as they changed from silver to clear blue.
“Did yer patient give ye any more trouble?” he asked, breaking the spell.
“Nay.” She shook her head. “Helen was as docile as a kitten; however, I was wise enough not to turn my back on her until I was sure she didn’t want to kill me anymore.”
He nodded his approval. “’Twas probably a wise thing. My clan has hated yer brother for a long time.”
Siena saw Duncan approaching the table. She smiled. There was something about Duncan that she really liked. Perhaps, he reminded her of the kind of father she wished she’d had, and she found it comforting to have him near.
“I see we have lovely ladies with us tonight,” Duncan said. “’Tis better than seeing all these grumpy old faces all the time.” He motioned toward the tables in front of him. “’Twill make the food twice as good tonight, I’d wager,” he finished as he sat down next to Agatha.
“You have a sly tongue.” Agatha laughed, as did Roderick.
“Ye have the measure of him, Agatha,” Roderick leaned forward so he could see Duncan. “How did the lads do wi’ training?”
“They still prefer the swords and spears.” He shrugged and added, “The bows and arrows are no to their liking.”
“Siena is excellent with a bow and arrow,” Agatha boasted.
Roderick looked down at Siena. “Is that so?”
Siena felt her cheeks burn. “Aye.”
