“Did he!” Christina was surprised.
“Och aye, he came to tea last week as he often tries to do, dear lad. I’ve known him since he was a bairnie in skirts,” she confided. “Hector MacDonald is my son. Dora is Hector’s daughter, y’see.”
“Ah. Mr. MacDonald mentioned you, but I did not know—”
“That I’m the laundress? Aye, and my mum and grandma afore me. We’ve ay worked for Dundrennan, ever since our Gypsy ancestors settled here long ago. So here I am. And Dora crochets bonny shawls and whatnot, and sells ’em in the town,” she added proudly.
Dora handed Effie the clean, pressed half-sleeve, which Effie slipped over Christina’s arm, tying its ribbons beneath her plaid sleeve. The warm cloth smelled fresh and good.
“Thank you so much, Effie,” Christina said. “I thought I had ruined it.”
“Och, there is always help about in life when we need it.” She smiled, dark eyes shrewd. “So ye’re the mistress o’ the mountain now, giving orders to the laird?”
Christina laughed. “Hardly that! I doubt he would take orders from me or anyone.”
Effie smiled. “He wouldna listen to anyone when he was engaged to Miss Elspeth, either. He will always be that stubborn.”
“You knew his fiancée?”
“She was Dora’s good friend from the glen school, and she had known the laird since they were both babes in arms. Her da was laird in a glen across the hills. ’Twas natural for them to come to marrying. But she took ill.” Effie shook her head. “Sometimes lovely blithe souls are not meant to live long in this world. And the lairds of Dundrennan are na meant to be content in marriage, y’see.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“Do you ask me, he needs to find his true love and prove that sorry curse wrong. Aedan has had too many troubles, and yet so bonny and braw a man with such a guid heart. He cares about others, and cares about this place. He doesna show it, but ’tis there. I feel there is a special love for him. Perhaps he will be the one to change the future of Dundrennan.” She smiled ruefully, and Christina saw a wise glow in her crinkled, keen eyes.
Sudden tears pricked her eyes. Just bleach and lye in the air, she told herself. But she, too, wished that Aedan MacBride could break the curse that doomed the lairds and the brides of Dundrennan. She desperately wanted him to be happy—whether she was with him or not, he deserved it. The Dundrennan line deserved it.
“Out wi’ ye, the noo, for I’ve work here.” Effie walked with her to the door.
“Thank you again, Mrs. MacDonald.”
“Effie. The other makes me sound so auld, aye!” Laughing, she opened the door, and Christina stepped outside. Cool air blew through her hair, billowed her skirts as she hurried back to the house.
Chapter Fourteen
“Tableau vivant,”Amysaid in a torturous French accent, “is like charades, but we play living statues. Sometimes we mimic artworks, but tonight I suggest we act out scenes from literary works.”
Lady Balmossie peered up from her needlework. Seated beside his aunt on the sofa, Aedan smothered a smile. When Amy had suggested parlor games after dinner, he wanted to flee to his study. Her parlor games could be tedious, but the temptation of playing a game with Christina Blackburn there overruled his usual habit of avoiding Amy’s games.
“The hallway will be the stage, and the doors can be the curtains. When yourtableau vivantis ready, knock and we’ll open the door.” Amy waggled a slip of paper. “We all drew partners and literary assignments from the papers I handed out. I wish there were more of us to play, but I am so glad that Mr. Blackburn has returned from Edinburgh.”
She smiled at John, who nodded. “I would not have missed this,” he said.
Hearing his jovial tone, Aedan suspected he was being polite, poor lad. Amy Stewart could be a bit too enthusiastic for anyone’s taste.
“Cousin Aedan, I believe you and I have the first turn,” Amy said.
Aedan glanced at two slips of paper in his hand. One held the name of a Shakespearean play and the other named his partner—Christina Blackburn. Pleased with his good fortune in the draw, he looked up. “According to this, cousin, I am partnered with Mrs. Blackburn.”
Amy’s brow puckered. “But you and I were supposed to draw the same—oh, mine says John! Very well.” Amy had the grace to smile at Blackburn. “Aedan and Christina will go first, then.”
Aedan rose, as did Christina. She blushed as she went to the door with him. Aedan turned. “Give us a few minutes,” he said. “We will sort it out.” He opened the double doors and ushered her through.
Lady Balmossie grumbled as he closed the doors. “Rob Campbell, you and I will be partners. We may as well forfeit, for I am terrible at playing taboo.”
“Tableau,” Amy corrected effusively. “Aedan! Do not take too long, or forfeit, and stand in the corner until someone gives you a kiss to set you free!”
“Silly rules for a silly game,” Aedan said as he slid the pocket doors firmly shut.
