She stretched her arms overhead and smiled at the ceiling.
Life as the Countess of Orkney, as Ian’s wife, was going to be the most fun and rewarding adventure of her life, she could tell.
Not wanting to waste time lying in bed alone, she tossed her covers aside and climbed out of bed. The floorboards were cold, the air stealing the warmth her toes had absorbed beneath the thick coverlets. She hurried to the basin of water, splashing her face, and began her morning ablutions.
After cleaning herself up, she realized she didn’t have anything clean to wear. The gowns she’d been able to borrow had yet to be laundered and had been worn many times. Well, she supposed they could remedy that today. She’d have her clothes washed, and perhaps there was a gown one of the clanswomen would be willing to let her borrow.
Rhiannon dressed in her old gown and opened the door. She was halfway down the stairs when Goosie came tearing up.
Her cat paused and looked up at her, a mouse caught in her jaw.
“Well, I see you’ve found your first prize.”
A bark below had Goosie rushing off. It seemed one of Ian’s hounds had also thought to find himself a prize.
Ian was on the heels of his hound, sharply commanding him to stop.
“Ah, good morn, my love,” he said, letting momentarily go of the hound’s collar long enough for him to take off up the stairs in search of Goosie. “I am terribly sorry about that. The two of them were tearing apart the great hall.”
Rhiannon chuckled. “I suppose Goosie and your hound are going to have a wee bit more of a difficult transition than the two of us.”
“Aye, Angus is no’ fond of cats.”
“And Goosie loves to taunt dogs.”
“A pair, then.”
“Aye.”
“Are ye hungry?” Ian asked.
Rhiannon stared at his mouth. “Not for food.”
He grinned wickedly. “I promise to satisfy your cravings later, mo chridhe, but let us break our fast for now because I want to show ye the isles. The weather is perfect for a long ride.”
“I do love the sound of that.”
Ian led her into the great hall where their places had been set at the head of the table, two bowls of porridge with fat dollops of melting butter in the center.
After finishing breakfast, they went out to the stable, where their horses were already saddled.
“You knew I’d say aye,” she said.
“I’d hoped ye would.”
She grinned. “How could I say nay to you?”
“I trust that as time goes on, ye’ll recall how to do that. I dinna remember ye shying away when we first were acquainted.”
“Very true.” She giggled, then ran her hand over the horse's neck and flank. “A gorgeous horse.”
“She’s yours if ye like the way she rides.”
“I’m certain I shall enjoy her immensely.”
Cook rushed out toward them, a large leather sack in his hands. “Dinna forget your midday meal, my laird, my lady.”
“How splendid,” Rhiannon said.
