Her heart thumped at the thought… until she took in the demeanor of everyone around her, noticing at once that they did not seem agitated as she was.
A sigh escaped her lips.
Thank goodness. It is not an invasion.
Lachlan raised his hand, and the horns stopped blaring, his lips curling into an almost wicked smirk once he spotted her.
Is this…?
“Good mornin’,” he boomed, his voice carrying across the courtyard. “I am certain we all ken why we’ve gathered here today.”
Marian looked around, her eyebrows rising in confusion as everyone nodded.
“According to our customs, every occupant and tenant of Glen Carrick must participate in the quarterly inspection ritual…” His eyes landed on her, lingering as he said the next words. “…without exception of the guests.”
Of course.
Marian’s lips pressed together as she watched him continue the announcement. This had nothing to do with custom alone. It was atest.
“The inspection of the outer grazin’ lands will be done in groups, followin’ the same arrangements as the previous quarters.”
The people nodded, murmuring in agreement as they quickly organized themselves into four groups. Soon, Marian and Lilly were left standing alone in the middle, not knowing what to do.
“Ye,” Lachlan said, pointing at Marian with a smile on his lips. “Ye’ll join Finn and me.”
Marian froze, her brain slowly catching up to the scene before her. The cold was bitter, and the mist had already started to settle on her hair.
“Mairi,” Lachlan called again, and her body jolted slightly.
“Yes, my Laird,” she said, her teeth chattering in the freezing cold. Her hands balled into fists, slipping into the cloak as people stared at her.
This might be the challenge… to prove myself.
“Ye should be standin’ right here.” Lachlan pointed at the spot next to himself.
Marian nodded quickly, then stepped forward with Lilly right behind her.
“Nay,” Lachlan pointed to Lilly, who stopped. “Ye are to join the kitchen maids.”
Marian stopped as well. “No, my Laird,” she protested, her voice raised slightly as she reached back to hold her maid’s hand. “Lilly stays with me throughout.”
Lachlan’s eyes narrowed, and his eyebrows drew together slightly before he spoke again. “Very well, the maid comes with us.”
He picked up his horn and blew it one last time, its sound almost piercing her eardrums.
With that, the groups scattered in different directions, leaving just Lachlan, Marian, Lilly, and Finn standing in the courtyard.
Marian raised her chin, wrapping the cloak tighter around herself as she turned to face Lachlan. “Me Laird.” Her voice steadied despite the cold. “Is this a test?”
Lachlan’s brow furrowed, his eyes narrowing in feigned confusion. “I daenae ken what ye’re talkin’ about. ’Tis a custom, and as ye’ve already seen, nay one is exempt.”
Then he turned on his heel and walked toward the back of the castle in long, fast strides.
Marian exhaled, walking at a slower pace as she spoke to Finn.
“Are you the Laird’s right-hand man?” she asked.
Finn’s eyebrow rose. “I wouldnae say that, me Lady. I am only a man-at-arms.”
