Elsie blinked. “Your…kin?”
“Aye,” he replied
Elsie looked up at Halvard, still confused. “But he called you laird? Doesn’t that mean he answers to you?”
“Aye,” he replied, though Elsie couldn’t read his expression. “But nae like ye think. He’s nay servant, he’s family. Every man and woman in this keep is family.”
That simple statement of explanation lodged somewhere deep in her chest. She was unfamiliar with that idea of communal living and support. In England, titles and propriety seemed to permeate every aspect of life. There were so many invisible lines between what was proper and how one person was divided orjoined with the next. Those rules were part of every moment of each day of her life. Even love was expected to fit within them.
But here, everything was different. Messier, sure, but also rough and––dare she say––more real.
“I see,” she said quietly, her voice smaller. “Where I come from, no one would call this life and these people family. There is a forced order, even within blooded families.”
Halvard studied her for a moment, and she felt the weight of his gaze, as his expression softened. “Order’s a fine thing. But loyalty is worth more.”
Elsie looked back at the fire, her fingers tightening on the edge of her skirt. She did not know why, but his words struck deep within her. It was as if his explanation of his people was like a stone dropped into the still water of her soul, rippling outward.
When she spoke again, her tone was serious. “Maybe that’s something England’s forgotten.”
“Maybe so,” he gave a low grunt, half agreement, and half acknowledgement.
Their eyes met briefly. There was no argument, no mockery, just an unspoken truce between them and their opposite worlds.
Then Halvard broke it with a faint smirk. “Still, I’ll keep tae yer first rule. I’ll knock before walkin’ in on ye.”
Elsie lifted her chin, flashing what she hoped was a brilliant smile. “See? Already improving.”
“Don’t push yer luck, lass,” he chuckled before walking out and leaving her alone with her thoughts.
Elsie had just finished brushing and repinning her hair when a soft knock tapped at the door. She smiled to herself thinking perhaps Halvard had truly taken to heart their discussion, but before she could answer Muirin slipped inside with a tray with a warm cup of tea and a small smile.
“I thought ye might like somethin’ before supper,” she said in that quiet soothing voice.
“Oh, thank you,” Elsie accepted the tray, trying to push down her disappointment. She was truly grateful for Muirin. “You always think of everything.”
Muirin looked momentarily uncomfortable by the compliment and shifted on her feet.
“I was downstairs checkin’ on th’ king’s envoy,” she said at last, “the Englishman, Mr. Redfern. Poor man looks grey as a winter’s mist.”
Elsie blinked. “He’s gotten worse?”
“Aye,” Muirin replied, lowering her voice as though she should not be speaking of such matters. “He’s too proud tae complain,but ye can hear it in his breath. And wi’ the wind turnin’ foul…” she gave a little cluck of her tongue. “Nay chance he’ll be leavin’ in th’ mornin’.”
Concern fluttered through Elsie’s chest. “Is he alone? Has anyone brought him broth?” She knew how quickly illness could take hold and her worry was not only for the envoy, but also for those in the castle.
“Aye, I brought him broth meself,” Muirin assured her, smiling softly. “He thanked me in that stiff English manner of his. But he shouldnae be ridin’ out in this weather. If ye ask me, he’s run himself ragged. That makes two of ye. Och, although ye look a site better than he daes. Even if th’ laird would have everyone thinkin’ ye’ve been through a war.”
Elsie flushed at the thought of Halvard speaking about her to any of his kin. “I’m fine, truly. Just tired.”
Muirin hesitated again, then leaned in just a touch. “Between th’ two of us, I dinnae think th’ laird likes th’ envoy bein’ ill.”
“Why?” Elsie asked.
Muirin shrugged, braiding a strand of her own loose hair absently. “Hard tae say. But th’ laird watches folk closer than most realize. And he’s been keepin’ and eye on Mr. Redfern ever since he got back tae th’ castle.”
Elsie wasn’t sure that to do with that knowledge. Halvard watched everything, didn’t he? Especially her.
“Alright,” Muirin added. “I best be gettin’ off. Supper’ll be ready soon and dinnae fash over th’ envoy. I’ll keep watch over him.”
