Within moments, a maid appeared. She was young, neatly dressed, and visibly curious. Duncan turned to her at once.
“Take her tae the chamber by mine,” he said. “She’ll be staying there.”
Elaina’s breath caught, though she said nothing. She had foolishly hoped that he would show her around himself, that he might explain the place she was meant to call home for the foreseeable future. Instead, the maid dipped her head and gestured politely for Elaina to follow.
“As ye wish, me laird.”
Elaina glanced back once, searching Duncan’s face for reassurance, perhaps, or acknowledgment of the abruptness of it all. But he was already speaking to one of the guards, having his attention pulled away by duty as easily as he had taken it up.
The maid led her through the corridors. Elaina followed, clutching her cloak and her resolve, aware that she had crossed into a new world.
“Me name is Lorna, me lady,” she introduced herself quietly as they went. She did it in a tone that was respectful, without being overly familiar, and Elaina found herself grateful for the small courtesy.
The chamber she was shown into was far finer than anything she had expected. A great bed of carved oak stood against the far wall. Its tall posts were hung with soft linen curtains, and there were folds of fresh linen and woolen blankets laid neatly upon it. At the foot of the bed rested a polished chest bound in iron, and a thick woven rug softened the stone beneath her feet.
A wide window looked out over the inner yard, and now, through it, late afternoon light spilled across the chamber, glinting off a small writing table and the silver pitcher upon it.
Elaina paused just inside the doorway, taking it in.
“Daesnae the healer usually have a cottage of their own?” she asked, keeping her voice light, while careful not to sound ungrateful.
The maid nodded at once, and a faint crease immediately formed between her brows. “Aye, normally. But it’s nae fit fer use just now. It suffered a flood some weeks past. It was due tae a lack of use, mostly. The roof gave way during the heavy rains, and the ground beneath turned soft. It hasnae been repaired yet.”
“I see,” Elaina murmured.
“Fer now,” the maid continued, gesturing to the room, “if ye need anything like linens, water, or assistance, I can fetch them fer ye. As fer remedies that require fire or heat, ye may use the kitchen. The cook will be been informed. A chamber has been set up temporarily fer the healer in the castle while the cottage is out of use.”
That eased Elaina’s worries. She nodded, letting her fingers trail lightly over the edge of the table. “Thank ye. That will be sufficient.”
The maid had scarcely dipped her head when the door flew open.
“Is it true?” a woman’s voice demanded brightly. “Is she in here?”
The maid startled, stepping aside just in time as the newcomer swept into the room with unrestrained energy. She halted the moment her eyes landed on Elaina.
“Oh, me goodness,” the woman exclaimed, staring openly now. “They werenaelying. Yearelovely! And ye’re truly a lady, and nae another laird!”
Elaina blinked, thoroughly taken aback.
The woman laughed at once, the sound warm and infectious. “Oh, how silly of me. Ye must think me a complete madwoman, bursting in like this and speaking utter nonsense.”
Before Elaina could reply, the woman crossed the room and took her hand without hesitation.
“I am Catriona Grant,” she said cheerfully. “The laird’s sister.”
Elaina found herself studying her even as she returned the smile. Catriona bore a striking resemblance to her brother, with her long auburn hair falling in wild curls about her shoulders, and the same piercing green eyes that missed very little. Her complexion was darker than Elaina’s, olive-toned and warm even now, and there was a vitality to her that filled the room. She looked like someone who observed quietly and understood deeply, the sort of woman who could charm without ever trying.
“It is very nice tae meet ye,” Elaina said sincerely. “And it is I who should apologize fer barging intae yer home like this.”
Catriona waved the apology away at once. “Nonsense! Absolute nonsense. I finally have proper company!”
She beamed, squeezing Elaina’s hand with unmistakable delight. “Dae ye ken how long I’ve been waiting tae say that?”
She wasted no time. She guided Elaina farther into the room as if it were already a shared space, her curiosity bright and entirely unguarded.
“So, where are ye from?” she asked at once. “And how did ye come tae meet me braither? He rarely brings anyone back with him, much less a healer, andcertainlynae a lady.”
Elaina smiled, choosing her words with care. “I have traveled a great deal,” she offered in response. “I learned healing where I could, from those willing tae teach. Circumstance made our paths cross.”
