“Ah, ye didnae smell a taint in him. Nay, I didnae either.” She took a drink of cider only to realize both men were staring at her oddly. “What?”
“What do ye mean about smelling a taint?”
Realizing these men did not understand what she meant, Bethoc blushed. “Oh, nothing.”
“Bethoc, ye are a Murray,” Callum said. “I doubt it is nothing. Yesmella taint?”
“I didnae with Thomas, but, aye, I can smell it, feel it. ’Tis why I ran to your rescue which, if ye think on it, was nay the wisest decision a lass with a child and walking alone would make.” She shrugged. “I dinnae ken what happens. I just meet a person and ’tis almost like a smell, an unclean smell most often, or a need to shudder and move away. Angus reeked and made my stomach turn.”
Callum sat back and studied her for a moment. “Methinks we best find a chance for ye to talk to a Murray or two. Many of them have such, er, gifts. Did Kerr have a taint?”
“Aye, but nay such a strong one. I wondered why because of the bairns, but he did feel guilt o’er that. I think t’was because he was just a very angry, unhappy mon. Nay actually evil though he had done evil things, just terribly disappointed in his lot in life. He smelled like soured milk.” She found it wonderful to be able to speak so freely about what Kerr had always said was witchery, and she could see the men were just curious, fascinated.
“Does everyone have a scent to you?” Callum asked.
“Aye. Uven smells like the ocean.” She smiled when he blushed. “Robbie smells like clean earth.”
“What does that mean?”
“I am nay sure though I have figured out some of them. I have always thought that earth smell, clean, rich earth, just meant this is a good, honest person, one who will stand firm.”
“Oh, aye, that is our Robbie,” said Uven. “Stands as firm as an ancient oak when he sets his mind to something.”
“Aye.” She smiled. “’Tis why, despite his size, I ne’er feared him. I ne’er questioned him watching o’er the boys. Ne’er once. I ken Laurel cannae smell him like I do, but I suspicion she does a wee bit. She was easy with him far too quickly for a woman who has suffered as she has.”
“So, Robbie could gain what he wants because he smells like dirt?” Callum grinned when Bethoc fell into a fit of the giggles.
It was late by the time they sought their bedchambers. Bethoc allowed Callum to lead her along as she planned what she would say to him. She could not allow him to simply set her up as his mistress without some rules, some mutual understanding. It was wrong to let him do it at all, but she was weak and admitted it. Even now she was not ready to give up on Callum, or walk away. Foolish though it was, she kept thinking he simply did not know or was not sure of what he wanted and just needed time.
Once inside the room, Callum made a fire and then turned to her. “Uven tells me ye are upset I put ye in here.”
“How would he ken that?” she asked as she sat on the bed.
“Saw it on your face when ye first entered the great hall.”
“Weel, aye, ’tis a bit upsetting. With this ye have told everyone here that I am your mistress.”
“Lover,” he quickly corrected, and moved closer to her.
“What is the difference?”
“Usually money. A mistress may nay ask for coin like a tavern maid but she definitely expects rewards. Jewels. Gowns. A fine horse and carriage to ride about in. A lover is just one who wishes to be with you.” He sat down beside her and took her into his arms. “If it makes ye feel better ye could sleep elsewhere and we can just slip into each other’s rooms.”
“Which everyone will ken about verra quickly.”
“Aye.”
“There are no secrets in places like these, are there?”
“Nary a one.”
Bethoc sighed. “I am just nay sure why ye brought me to Whytemont, and feared being in the room would ruin any chance of making a place for myself, if that is what ye sought, or of being accepted.”
He kissed her. “Ye do as ye please and, I promise ye, ye will suffer naught for being my lover. We are nay so caring here of who is doing what to whom. Only when it comes to the bairns do they care if ye are e’en wedded. E’en I frown on adultery and we are nay committing that, either.”
“So cease fretting, aye?”
“Aye.” He began to unlace her gown. “Ye didnae tell me what I smell like.”
