Moira shrugged ahead of her. “I ken a thing or two, but now that Old Fergus cannae get up and down the steps, I have had to step in for the most part.”
They walked down the southern corridor, which seemed seldom used, judging by the lack of lit torches. All the light came from a large square opening at the end of the corridor.
A cloud of dust rose in the air as Moira entered the healer’s quarters after struggling quite a bit with the door. Betsy and Lilliana followed behind, trying their best to tread lightly so as not to disturb more dust. The shelves were mostly empty, though there were a few musty-looking bottles standing on them.
If this place were to be used for healing, it would need a thorough cleaning. Still, Lilliana was grateful. Having something to do might heal some of her melancholy, and it was more than her father had ever offered her.
She turned to the housekeeper. “Thank you for this, Moira.”
Moira nodded. “Ye’re welcome, Me Lady. I will come fetch ye later for supper. Feel free to look around.”
Kayden was sitting at the high table with the man she recognized as Jacob to his left.
Lilliana hesitated a moment, unsure of where to go, until he looked up and gestured for her to take the seat to his right. She sat down and gave a wan smile to the table at large.
The man on his other side smiled at her. “Welcome, Me Lady. We havenae yet been introduced. Me name is Jacob McGill. I am yer dear husband’s cousin, which makes ye and I cousins as well.” He grinned at her, a teasing glint in his eyes.
Lilliana was in no mood for jokes, so she simply nodded. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Jacob,” she said softly.
Jacob’s eyes softened as he studied her keenly. “It is all a bit new and different, I ken, but ye will adapt. Give it time.”
She was surprised at his compassion and that he said those words aloud, what with Kayden sitting between them. Her father never would have tolerated such disrespect from one of his subordinates. Kayden seemed unmoved by the implication that she was unhappy.
Does he not realize that it reflects badly on him?
To her surprise, he turned to face her. “Me cousin is right. Things seem strange now because ye werenae expecting all of this. But ye will settle. Daenae fash.”
She blinked at him, even more nonplussed. “Er, thank you for saying that. Does that mean you have changed your mind about me helping the villagers?”
He gave an enigmatic smirk. “As I said, time will tell.”
She stared at him, too tired to argue. Turning to the table, she picked up her spoon and ate the broth that had been placed in front of her, along with freshly baked bread. They even had some butter and cheese to go with it.
After the food was cleared away, the tables were moved out of the way. Lilliana made to leave, but Kayden closed a hand around her wrist to stop her.
“Daenae ye want to stay and hear the bard?” he asked.
She looked down at his fingers, so large they made her hand look small. His warmth seeped into her skin, making her own feel hot and prickly.
Suppressing a shiver, she cleared her throat. “I do not know your language. I probably would not understand anything.”
“Ach, ye daenae have to understand the lyrics to enjoy the music. Stay.”
Her eyes widened a bit in surprise that he was so insistent on her company. Heart beating a little too fast, face flushed, and hands trembling slightly, she slowly sat back down.
Kayden nodded in approval, leaning back in his seat, and then spent the rest of the evening aiming his remarks at Jacob. It was a puzzle to her, but she tried not to dwell on it.
The bard had a beautiful voice. She tried to focus on that and not on the large presence by her side, the heat of him radiating around her, making the fireplace unnecessary. The scent of him, oak and smoke and sweat, and something else just underneath, suffused her senses. She did not want to be so aware of him, but she could not help herself.
She hardly knew what to think or how to feel about this man—her husband—whom she had married just that day, who had carried her to her rooms and now barely spoke to her as they sat side by side on the evening of their wedding day.
She studied him discreetly, wondering what it was about him that evoked such strong reactions from her.
Kayden leaned towards her. “Are ye well, Lilliana?” he asked.
She cast a glance at him, wondering why he would address her in such a way. There was worry beneath his tone that she did not understand.
“I am fine. Tired.”
