As Ramsay had told Signy, she should have been the new laird. He hoped he was making progress toward convincing her that she would make a splendid Lady of Thorsay. It was a grand good title for a Nordic goddess.
Chapter 21
Signy woke after a long night’s sleep feeling much better. She moved her right leg cautiously under the covers. Her ankle certainly ached, but it was nothing like the agony of the day before. The new bandage and Donovan’s horse salve had performed a minor miracle. Not that she was going to take a chance by going out again today. She was impatient but not stupid.
A wet nose poked her left ear. Signy’s eyes shot open. “Fiona! Such a good girl you are.”
Signy swung her legs carefully from the bed. She had a vague memory of Mrs. Donovan telling her the night before that they’d wash and dry her clothing and bring some garments up. The housekeeper had done her job. A nearby chair held folded items that Signy recognized. And sitting on top of her clothing was one-eyed Odin, who was eyeing her and Fiona balefully.
Signy laughed. “Odin, my old friend. Come join us on the bed.”
After another glare at Fiona, Odin launched himself from chair to bed, kicking her clothes to the floor before he landed on her right side and presented his head for petting. Signy obliged, stroking the cat with her right hand and scratching her dog’s neck with the left.
“You two must learn to get along,” she said soothingly. “You’re not Vikings fighting the English. You’re both good Thorsayian beasties and should be friends. I won’t ask you to shake paws, but you should become better acquainted. Accept each other’s differences. Sniff each other’s backsides.”
She heard warm male laughter and looked up to see that Ramsay had entered the room carrying a basket of tantalizingly scented breakfast. “Blessed are the peacemakers?” he commented. “The antagonism between cats and dogs is eons old, though some individuals of the warring breeds learn to negotiate a truce.”
“I hope these two will manage that.” She had no desire to seduce Ramsay just now. Actually, it would be more accurate to say that she had no intention of doing so. But she wished that she wasn’t wearing a long shapeless nightshirt that must have been borrowed from a man. She hoped Mrs. Donovan was the one who’d put it on her.
“You look like you’re doing much better today,” Ramsay commented. “I’ve brought breakfast for two. How about if I take Fiona for a brief walk while you wash up and get dressed? Unless you need help with that?” He gave her an exaggerated leer.
Signy’s cane was leaning against the headboard, so she picked it up and carefully got to her feet. “Fiona, go with the lecherous gentleman and come back to protect me from him later.”
Ramsay grinned and set the basket on the table that sat by the window with the best view. “Come with me, Fiona. I’m sure you’d like a breath of fresh air.”
He snapped his fingers and Fiona happily followed him out. True to his feline nature, Odin abandoned the bed and jumped on the table for a closer investigation of the food. Luckily, the basket had a lid.
The laird’s suite had a small washroom, which was a good reason for Signy to accept Ramsay’s offer to stay in these rooms for now. She washed up with the lukewarm water in the pitcher brought to the washroom by a maid. Everyone was taking such good care of her. Signy wasn’t used to being pampered, but she could get to like this.
She collected the garments that Odin had kicked onto the floor, and dressed. Since she wouldn’t be doing any riding or walking today, she put on a simple dark blue morning gown. Then she sat in one of the two chairs by the window table and poured a steaming hot cup of tea from the pot that had come in the basket of food. Bliss.
There was a knock on the door, followed by Ramsay and Fiona. Impeccable timing.
“Good news. I checked the laird’s office downstairs and found the sketchbooks you used on our journey around south Mainland. This one is mostly empty.”
Signy almost stood to collect the sketchbook, then remembered her ankle and said, “Lovely! Put it on this desk, please. Later I’ll see how well I can remember what we found at Fiona Brae.”
“I’m guessing that you have a very good memory for how things look,” he said as he set down the sketchbook, then joined her at the table.
She poured tea for him. “I do, though I’ll need to sit there and study the stones to do good detail drawings.”
“I’ve received more reports of storm damage around the islands. There’s a fair amount of crop damage but no serious injuries.” He took a deep swallow of tea. “I’ll be off to Clanwick after breakfast. Is there anything else you’d like me to get for you?”
“No, just the art supplies. I hope Greta is well stocked now. What she carries varies a lot depending on who has been buying what.” Signy slipped a piece of bacon to Odin, who had been watching her with his gimlet eye.
There were two cheese and herb omelets and warm bere bannocks. Signy found that she was ravenous and realized she hadn’t eaten since yesterday’s breakfast. She glanced at Ramsay, who seemed to enjoy breakfast food as much as she did.
She had a wistful thought of Gisela. If her sister hadn’t died, she would be the one sharing meals with Ramsay. But the more time Signy spent with him, the more natural it felt. Gisela was the much-loved past. She’d always had a warm and generous heart, and Signy was sure that wherever her sister was, she didn’t begrudge them this growing attraction.
If they had a daughter, they could name her Gisela. It was a thought too far in the future to be comfortable, so Signy applied herself to buttering a bannock. She would take her time with Ramsay day by day and enjoy it.
* * *
It was a fine morning to ride to Clanwick, and Thor seemed to be enjoying himself as much as Ramsay. He was a good-natured horse. Once Ramsay reached the town, he left Thor at the livery stable the family always used, then made his way to Olson’s Bookshop.
He was greeted with pleasure by the owner, Gunnar Olson, who remembered how many books Ramsay had bought as a boy. Ramsay established a new account with the shop, then asked to see Greta, Gunnar’s daughter, who was in charge of stationery and art supplies. A brisk and pleasant blonde, Greta said regretfully that she didn’t have much on hand other than drawing paper, pencils, pens, and ink. More specialized items were available only by order. Additional materials were expected in the next shipment, but she wasn’t sure when they would arrive.
Ramsay cleared the shop out of what they had and left the supplies at the livery stable. Now it was time for the difficult part of the day: Cousin Roald. Ramsay had stopped by his cousin’s office when he arrived in town and set up an appointment for midday.
