Jamie allowed the corner of his mouth to quirk up. “Have ye never been startled by the sudden appearance of a lass of uncommon beauty?”
“Meg? Uncommon beauty?” The guard snorted and relaxed. “Yer eyes are failing ye, I’d say.”
Jamie shrugged. “Perhaps ye have the right of it. Ye have my thanks for keeping me from making a fool of myself.”
“Ye’ll remember that, then. First impressions are no’ always what they seem.”
Jamie nodded. “I will,” he said and turned to go, eager to follow the lass, Meg, but it seemed the guard wasn’t quite done with him yet.
“Now the lass behind this door, there’s an uncommon beauty for ye.”
Jamie’s hackles lifted, ever so slightly. “Is she?”
“Aye, and ’tis my job to keep the likes of ye out.”
“Aha, well, then, ye are very good at yer job.” Jamie relaxed as it became apparent the guard hadn’t had designs on Caitrin, but on warning him off. “I’ll just be on my way.”
This time, he managed to get down the hall and around the corner before the guard decided to continue the conversation. Where had she gone? The great hall? The kitchen? Jamie hurried to the next hallway. Where would Caitrin send her? Or was she bound for her own quarters? No telling where those would be, especially since she likely shared a cot with other female servants. He picked up his pace and turned another corner in time to see the lass finish speaking to a male servant and continue on her way. Dared he call out to her? He passed the lad and gained on her, coming close enough to call out “Meg,” without alerting the entire keep.
The lass paused and turned back. “Aye? Can I help ye?”
Jamie took a breath. She was too young to have been involved in what happened to his sister. Better to tread lightly with her. “I saw ye leave Lady Fletcher’s chamber and admired a glimpse of yer haircomb. May I?”
She cocked her head, looking askance, but shrugged. “Aye, why no’?” With a deft move, she pulled it from her hair and handed it over.
There was no doubt. He recognized his own handiwork. The weight and feel of it in his hands brought back memories of carving it, then smoothing and polishing, rubbing it until it gleamed, and his sister’s delight when he gave it to her. It needed some of that care now, but he could never mistake it. He fought to keep his tone light and casual as he turned it over in his hand, even though he could feel moisture gathering in his eyes. “’Tis an unusual piece of work. Where did ye get it?”
“From a friend. She married and dinna use it. Now she keeps her hair covered, so she gave it to me.”
“And yer friend? Who gave it to her?”
“Likely her husband. He had a clever hand with a blade. Older than her, he was. Died in ’13, along with the rest of ’em.”
Damn. “Does yer friend still live here? What is her name?”
“What business is it of yers? Chasing a widow, are ye?”
“Nay, nay. I simply hope she has more of her husband’s carvings that she might be willing to sell. I admire the work.”
Meg’s eye suddenly gleamed with what he could only interpret as a predatory light.
“I might be willing to sell this one, if ye like.”
Jamie pulled some coin from his pouch. “Would this do?” he asked, selecting a few of the smaller ones. He’d pay the earth for the comb, but it wouldn’t do to be too eager.
“Those, aye, and perhaps a few of the others as well…? I snuck some meat and cheese from the kitchen onto the tray of bread and water I just delivered. And some for Nan.”
The hell with it.“Take them all, Meg. I…This will be a gift for a lass I fancy. She’s worth any price.”
“Lucky lass!” Her excitement over her windfall lit her face in a broad smile.
“But ye mustna mention this to anyone. I wouldna want my friend to hear of it and guess the gift.” Or for MacGregor to hear of it and ken the significance.
“But how will I explain these?” she asked with a worried frown as she held out her palm, coins covering it. “Someone will think I stole them.”
“Nay. Tell them I paid ye for yer care of Lady Fletcher, since she spoke well of yer service, but she canna do for ye in her present circumstance. Will that do?”
She looked uncertain. “Dinna tell them about the extra food. I dinna wish to be in trouble with the laird.”
