Victor cleared his throat. “Perhaps I shouldhave a look at your ill clansmen,” he offered. “I may be ofassistance.”
“Me too,” Veronica piped in, causing Lachlanto frown. “We’ll both come.”
Euan’s face reddened. “Why in blazes would Ihave my enemy’s wife—and whoever in the saints the mon is!—comelook at my people?”
“He is my brother,” Veronica said,straightening her spine. “And perhaps the most brilliant man alivewhen it comes to matters such as the one you are dealing with.”
The old laird spat on the ground from atophis steed. “And how canna ken you will not bring more of the aguewith you?”
“You cannot,” Veronica repliedmatter-of-factly. Her stance was regal. “But my brother is yourbest shot at getting the fever under control. The choice isyours.”
“My wife goes nowhere without me and mywarriors,” Lachlan cut in. “If you have a wish for her brother totend to your ill then you must issue your invitation to all.” Hehad no idea what was going on, but his wife was going nowhere. Shewas accustomed to doing things her own way, aye, but in this? Hedinna have a care for it, yet neither would he give her his nay infront of Euan. He respected her too much to do that. Victor couldgo to the Campbells; Veronica would remain within the stronghold’swalls.
“Fine,” the old man grumbled. “I herebyissue an invitation to you and your men, Lachlan. As well as toyour lady wife.”
“We ride on the morrow,” Lachlan boomed out.“Now leave.”
*****
Veronica’s impatience must have been obviousfor both Moira and Catriona remarked on it during the fitting. Shecouldn’t exactly tell them she just wanted the wardrobe ordeal overand done with so she could go argue more with Lachlan. Instead shesmiled and reassured them she was just anxious to give Catriona herclothing back.
“Dinna worry o’er that, sister,” Catrionasaid sweetly. “I’ve gowns and shoes aplenty.”
Lachlan and Victor were upstairs schemingwith Finn and Ramsay. Veronica wanted to be up there with them. Shedidn’t care what her husband said—she was going to be a part ofthat entourage tomorrow no matter what. She knew all the signs ofthe plague—Lachlan and his men did not. From fever to death toreanimation, she’d witnessed it all.
Apparently her restlessness was a little tooevident for Hero padded over from his place in front of the hearthand nuzzled her hand until she pet him. She continued to stroke hercanine savior as she made small talk with Moira and Catriona. AfterHero received all the attention he wanted, he licked Veronica’shand and walked back to his favorite spot.
Finally, after what felt like threelifetimes, the seamstresses and cobbler made their way into thegreat hall. There was a fitting room just beyond the fireplacewhere she knew she’d have to disappear into several times duringthis ordeal. Glum and stressed out, she painted on a smile and gotdown to business. The quicker the fitting carried on, the faster itwould end. Or so she hoped.
An hour later, the gowns and shoes allfitting her with precision, Veronica smiled a real smile. All ofthis would be over any time now and she could carry on in herargument with the infuriatingly overbearing Lachlan.
“The nooning meal is ready, milady,” Maisieannounced to Veronica as she waddled over to her. “Will your guestsbe eating with you?”
Veronica glanced over to the seamstressesand cobbler. Damn it, but they looked honored by the idea of eatinglunch here. She inwardly sighed and outwardly beamed. “Yes, ofcourse,” she replied with as much fake enthusiasm as she couldmuster. “Do inform my husband that it’s time to eat.” She felt asmall bit of satisfaction from waylaying whatever conversationLachlan was having with Victor and his men. “I wouldn’t want forhim to go hungry.”
Veronica felt like sighing. Hopefully themidday meal wouldn’t carry on and on as it sometimes did. Shewanted to speak with Lachlan. Her irritating husband would begetting an earful no matter how long lunch went on. She was goingwith him to the Campbells—period. She’d make her own way if she hadto. In a situation where the stakes could be very high, she refusedto back down. If she’d brought the plague with her, she needed toknow it and stamp it out.
“I’ll send Ailsa up the stairs to informhim, milady,” Maisie said. “Is there aught else you require?”
“No.” Veronica forced a smile to her lips.“That will be all, thank you.”
Chapter Seventeen
Lachlan was bemused by his wife’s attemptsto ignore him throughout the nooning meal. Occasionally she threwsour glances his way, but for the most part she dinna look at him,much less converse with him. In truth, Catriona was carrying themajor bulk of the head table’s conversation. His sister excitedlychattered on aboot her upcoming nuptials, her new shoes, and howshe’d had them dyed a pale blue to match the dress she would wearto the ceremony. Victor hung on Catriona’s everra word, lookingverra much the besotted mon.
“You’ve but a sennight left afore you arethe Lady Banks, sister,” Lachlan said, purposely stretching andusing the action to put an arm behind his wife’s back. Veronicaglared at him, only further amusing him. “I hope you and Victorfind as much happiness as I have found with my lady wife.” Thatproclamation made Veronica’s nostrils flare. He smiled to furtherannoy her. “All and sundry should experience the wedded bliss Ishare with my Veronica. Is that not so, wife?”
She forced a smile. “It’s like the blissnever goes away. Unless it’s busy going places without me.”
His eyes glittered. She glared at him.
“How does one’s bliss go places without you,dearest?” Moira inquired.
“What she means,” Victor quickly cut in, “isthe bliss is so vast it seeks out others. Like Catriona andmyself.”
His mother’s lips formed an O. “Well, isn’tthat wondrous!”
“Aye,” Lachlan said drolly. “Praise thesaints.”
