Chapter 10
CHAPTER 10
A s the weeks passed, Danielle became more acclimated to her new environment. She and Graeme were regular walking companions around the grounds of the castle and Danielle found him increasingly fascinating.
During their time together, she noticed that Graeme had become lighter, and more open in his expression, and he seemed to smile more. She wondered if this was due to her presence, or simply because he had released his burden by telling her the truth about his life.
Over the past several days, Graeme had spent his free time teaching her to ride, even though she was nervous around horses. His first lesson entailed getting used to the animal and learning how to groom it, which Danielle found soothing. Next, was learning how to saddle the horse and put on the reins. That was more difficult because it involved putting her hands close to the horse's large teeth, something she dearly wished to avoid.
Today, he was teaching her to mount and ride around the courtyard. Nothing too difficult, or so he said. Danielle wasn't so sure. Danielle was very nervous as Graeme showed her where and how to position the horse. She watched him bring the horse forward and stop in the right spot, and then return to the stable, turning the horse around for her.
"All right, lass. Let me see you try it."
Taking a breath, Danielle gripped the reins and led the horse to the mounting block. She got the horse into the right position, looked over at Graeme, and said, "Now what?"
"Now, put your right foot into the stirrup, swing your left over the back of the horse, and sit in the saddle."
"Easy for you to say," she grumbled and did as he told her, slipping her foot into the stirrup. "How am I supposed to get my leg over her?"
"Hold onto the saddle, press up on your right foot, then swing with the left."
Danielle gripped the saddle with the reins in her hand, pressed up on her right foot, and lifted her left leg up and over the animal. It wasn't pretty, but at least she was seated. She looked nervously at the ground. "What if I fall?"
"You are not going to fall, lass, just sit still in the saddle and rock with Maybelle as she moves,” Graeme said. “It is quite easy once you get used to it.”
"How do I get her to start walking again?"
“Give her a little kick with your heels and pull on the reins in my direction,” Graeme said.
Danielle did as she was told, and the horse walked slowly toward Graeme.
“I did it. Look at me; I'm riding a horse!” Danielle said with a big smile. It was not something she thought she'd ever want to learn, but here she was, even enjoying it.
“Aye, you're doing very well, lass. Keep her at a nice, slow walk. Now, try turning her in the other direction. Tomorrow, we'll take her up to a trot, which is a little bit faster,” Graeme said.
“What? I don't know, Graeme. I don't think I'm ready for that yet. Let's stay on walking for a month or so, and then eventually, I'll learn to trot.”
Graeme laughed. “We shall see.”
That evening, Graeme and Danielle again had dinner with Eva and Finlay in their quarters. Now that Danielle was comfortable, it was a very hearty and joyous meal.
Danielle liked talking with Eva about their old lives in America. She learned that Eva was from Chicago and had been a child advocate who was one college credit shy of becoming a child psychologist. Danielle knew she was very good with children, and that explained why. Eva spent parts of her days up in the nursery, reading to the children and teaching them to read and do math. She told stories and helped to keep them entertained. Other days, she helped Maria or one of the other women. Danielle had yet to find something to keep her occupied and wondered if Eva knew if Maria needed a hand.
“Do you think Maria would put me to good use? I need to do something worthwhile, but I don't know what to do that's needed,” Danielle asked Eva as they sat in front of the fire after the evening meal. Graeme and Finlay were still talking at the table, and Mary was playing on the floor with Danny.
"We all just help out where we're needed. Heigl is always looking for help in the kitchen, especially if you know how to bake or cook from scratch. Or, if you're good with kids, you could assist in the nursery?"
Danielle shook her head. "I don't know about cooking, but I can organize things, or help prep. I meant something more meaningful, though, you know?"
Eva nodded. "Not too keen on working with kids?" She grinned.
Danielle shrugged. "Older ones, maybe, like teens, but the younger ones? I'm afraid I couldn't handle them."
"All right, what interests you around here? Anything come to mind?"
"Language. I've heard some of the staff and men speaking in Gaelic, and I'd like to learn it. Maybe once I do, I can work on translations? I'm fluent in French, Spanish, and Chinese, so I pick up languages fairly easily. Do you think there is a call for that?"
"Possibly. We'll have to set you up with one of the scholars in the library, and maybe check in with Maria and the Laird to see if it’s something they could use." Eva looked thoughtful. "Of course, I'm not so sure Chinese is called for here in Scotland." She giggled.
Danielle laughed, too. "What? I was hoping we could call China and get an order of Kung Pao chicken delivered!"
"If only we could! I miss Chinese dumplings."
"I used to go to Chinatown at least once a month for lunch. It was so good. I will miss that."
Eva smiled. "There are some advantages to being here, though." She looked over at Finlay and then down to Mary.
"True." Danielle's eyes lingered on Graeme. "And the food is pretty good. Heigl and her staff are amazing."
"Yes, they are." Eva nodded. “So, I've noticed that you and Graeme have spent quite a bit of time together. I've seen you out in the courtyard with him, walking in the gardens and the castle grounds, and now he's teaching you to ride?” Eva said with a raised brow.
“You've noticed?" Danielle felt her cheeks heat, and then she sighed. "I guess anyone would notice, huh? I enjoy spending time with him. It's strange. He's not like any man back in our old life, you know what I mean?”
“I agree. I think it has something to do with the period and environment, you know? I mean, their priorities are different. We used to think that men in this time treated women as property, but these men don't. It's pretty equal around here. Everyone pitches in doing what needs to be done. Women are respected; our husbands listen to our opinions. Of course, there are things that we stay out of, such as fighting, but that's more by choice. We all know how to fight if we have to. And you'll even occasionally see Sarah or Maria training with the Guard."
Danielle nodded. "I noticed that Graeme is pretty respectful, much more so than some men I used to date."
Eva said, “He is a bit older than you at thirty-seven. Do you think it's his age that makes the difference?”
“No, I think you were right before. It's more of a priority thing. The age difference doesn't bother me. In fact, I kind of like it.” Danielle smiled.
She looked at Graeme, happily drinking whisky and chatting with Finlay. She watched Mary jump up from the ground, charge full-speed at Graeme, and wrap her small arms around him with a joyous scream, and it made her grin. He smiled, picked her up, and threw her into the air, then caught her again and again. He had a way with children. She wondered how he would be with a child of his own. The thought had her smile deepening. Graeme would be a great father.
Over the next few days, Danielle noticed as she headed out to the stables how some of the Guard treated Danny. She'd seen them purposely trip him, knock into him, shove him, and scream at him… it was enough to drive anyone to the brink. Danny, of course, took it all in stride. Not that it made it right. She'd heard several of the Guard disrespecting Graeme, too, and that made her angry. She wanted to jump to their defense but knew she couldn't. Something told her that the protectiveness she felt would probably only make things worse if she acted on it, so Danielle told herself to keep her own counsel and her lips shut. If Graeme wanted her help, she was sure he'd ask for it.
Danielle took her time dressing for dinner. She was meeting Graeme in the dining hall, where there was to be music and dancing after dinner. It wasn't a big occasion, just a bit of merriment to while away an evening, and she looked forward to it. She made her way downstairs, entered the dining hall, and saw Graeme standing near one of the tables near some of the other Guards.
“Of course, we wouldn't trust you not to cheat, Graeme,” a man said snidely as she approached.
The moment Danielle heard it, she stepped closer toward the tables where one of the Laird's cousins was indulging in drunkenly teasing Graeme. She picked up a goblet of wine at the table of drinks and sipped as she listened.
“Try it,” Graeme said, his voice hard.
"Probably can't even hit the side of a barn at ten paces! All he's good for is threatenin' and thievin'!" the man continued. "Isn't that right, lads?"
Danielle saw Graeme tense, about to make a move toward the drunken man, but she intervened by tripping over her feet and spilling her goblet of wine on the cousin.
“Oops. Oh, I’m sorry. How clumsy of me,” she gasped.
“What the devil? Watch where you're going, lass,” he shouted as he stood and brushed the liquid from his thigh.
“I might be clumsy, but it's better than being an asshole,” Danielle said.
The man stared at her, trying to figure out what she meant.
"Don't worry. I'm sure whatever words you're trying to come up with will wait until you're smarter."
Danielle turned and walked away, casually looking toward Graeme and giving him a wink. A sideways grin came across his face, and he turned to follow her to a different table. They ate together and then enjoyed a few dances, with Graeme teaching her to do a Scottish Reel. She had so much fun that she didn't want the evening to end.
Still, as the music wound down and other couples headed off to bed, she realized she should probably seek hers. "Will you walk me to my room?" she asked, peering up at him with a smile.
"I'd be honored, lass." Graeme took her arm and led her out of the dining hall and up the staircase.
They arrived at her room much sooner than she would have liked. She enjoyed having her arm in his, and how close they were. It was hard to not act on her instincts and invite him in. She was afraid he would think she was too forward if she did so. Sighing, she looked up at him and said, "Thank you for walking with me. I have had a lovely evening."
"I have as well, lass. Sleep well."
Danielle nodded and went into her room. She gave him a little wave as she closed the door and then started preparing for bed. A few minutes later, she heard a knock on the door. She fixed her hair and opened it, hoping to find him standing on the other side. Quietly, she unlocked the door and peeked out. Graeme stood there with a hooded look in his eyes.
“Graeme, is everything alright?” she asked, opening the door wider to allow him to come in.
“No, it’s not." He moved into the room and gently closed the door behind him. "I am a mess because of you.” With those words, he stepped forward and put his arms around her waist. He drew Danielle toward him, pressing her breasts against his chest. He lowered his mouth onto hers and kissed her greedily.