Wedded to the Twisted Highlander (Taming the Kilmartins #3)

Chapter 6

6

A strid pushed open the heavy door to her new room. The hinges creaked softly as she stepped inside. Instantly, a wave of warmth engulfed her. The flames in the grate flickered and bathed the walls in an orange glow.

“Ma,” Melody gasped, throwing her little arms around Astrid before she could even get to the chair.

Glancing at the elegant, tall woman by the fireplace, Astrid flashed her a thoughtful smile.

“It’s all right,” she said, stroking her hand down Melody’s hair. “We’ll be safe here.”

“Of course, ye will,” the woman said with a wave of her hand. “If me braither said he’ll take care of ye, he will. But I thought ye came here to tend to our faither?”

“Aye, well…” Astrid swallowed hard.

She wasn’t given any instructions on what to tell everyone. Did she explain to them how she was on the run? Or merely how she was there to help?

The easiest thing to do was to let everyone come to their own conclusions. Astrid found that things usually worked out better that way.

“I’m here until the Laird nay longer needs me services.”

“So, ye are the new healer. That is fantastic. Me maither says that a woman cannae work in such a field due to the constant travelin’. But I think I’d rather enjoy it. Seein’ the world is something I’ve always dreamed of doin’.”

Astrid nodded her head as she listened to the woman rant about what she wanted her future to look like. However, her attention was focused solely on Melody. She looked her over, ensuring that the child had no bumps or bruises.

“I’m fine,” Melody grumbled as she pulled away from Astrid’s prying gaze. “I promise if I wasnae, ye’d be the first to ken.”

“I just want to make sure,” Astrid said as she noticed that the woman had stopped blabbering.

Glancing up, she found the woman frowning at her, her arms crossed over her chest.

“Och, now ye listen. Well, dinnae think for one minute that I’m goin’ to repeat meself. I’ve said all I’m goin’ to say, and now I bid ye adieu,” the woman huffed and turned on her heel.

Astrid watched the hem of her dress graze the back of her ankles as she stormed out of the room.

“That was Olivia,” Melody explained as Astrid scooped her up into her arms and carried her to the chair before the fireplace. “She’s the Laird’s sister. I think she’s important because she kept talkin’ about all the things I cannae touch.”

“Well, ye should listen to her. We are only guests here, remember?”

“Aye, I ken, Astrid. I’ll try. But did ye see the trinkets in the cabinet downstairs? They have wee baubles in a cabinet I saw in one of the rooms. Do ye think they’ll let me play in the room?” Melody asked as she snuggled into Astrid’s arms.

The crackling of the fire and the warmth in the room filled Astrid with hope. Although she was certain the feeling would fade soon, she savored the lightness of the moment. At least for now, they were safe, and that was all she could hope for.

“How long do ye think we’ll stay here?” Melody asked.

Astrid had been detangling the girl’s hair absentmindedly, but the question startled her. She didn’t have a clue how long they’d remain under Laird McFair’s protection. He had seemed overly confident that he could handle whatever trouble dared to come.

“It’s hard to say,” she answered. “I guess we’ll just have to do what we always do and take things one day at a time.”

“It’s all we can do,” Melody chimed in with her overly contagious sense of optimism.

“Actually, what we can do right now is sleep. We’ve had a very long day, and tomorrow will be just as difficult,” Astrid said as she gave Melody a pat on the back.

Melody jumped off Astrid’s lap and skipped across the floor to the bed. She launched herself onto the high mattress and fell into the pillows.

“Melody,” Astrid warned.

“Sorry.”

Astrid walked over to the bed and pulled back the blankets. She waited for Melody to snuggle down before she pulled the covers over her.

“Do ye think MAstrid is lookin’ down on us? Helpin’ us?” Melody asked as Astrid leaned down to kiss her on the forehead.

“I’m sure she is. Now, go to sleep.” Astrid planted one more kiss on Melody’s forehead before moving back to the chair.

Despite the thick walls of the castle, and how high her room was, Astrid still didn’t feel safe. She shifted the chair to the corner of the room so she could have a full view of Melody and the door. Then, she took the fire iron and leaned it against the chair.

With everything in place, she sat down. The fire warmed her legs as she kept a keen eye on the door and the poker in her hand. Unfamiliar sounds haunted her dreams, mingling with wild and vivid images.

By the time dawn broke, Astrid had maybe four good hours of sleep. She stretched the aches from her bones and glanced around the room. Panic shot through her when she didn’t immediately recognize the unfamiliar surroundings. For a split second, she thought Jenson had found them and brought them back.

The door swung open, and she immediately raised the poker and swung it back, ready to strike.

Olivia’s eyes widened as she recoiled. Shame flooded Astrid as she realized her folly and lowered the poker.

“My word, are ye all right? I didnae mean to startle ye. Maybe we shouldnae have such things in our guest rooms?” Olivia gasped as she dared to snatch the poker from Astrid’s hands.

“I’m so sorry. Ye caught me off guard.”

“Aye, I can see that,” Olivia said as Melody stirred awake from the commotion.

“Och, good, ye’re awake,” another woman intoned as she skipped into the room like a ball of pure energy.

Astrid had never been around such cheery people before. Everyone working for Laird Chalium was miserable. Yet, here, it seemed everyone had a reason to smile.

“And here I was thinkin’ I was goin’ to have to disturb ye.”

“Aye, ye do,” Olivia snorted. “Besides, what are ye even doin’ here, Eileen? Are ye nae supposed to be catchin’ butterflies this morning?”

“I thought I’d show our hospitality,” Eileen said, nudging Olivia out of her way as she made a beeline for Astrid. She nodded to her and waved enthusiastically at Melody.

“Is that what ye’re callin’ yer entrance?” Olivia argued.

Astrid felt a pang of grief. How she wished her sister was still around. How many meaningless fights had they had when they were younger?

She looked at the two women and smiled.

“Be nice,” Eileen admonished with a scowl.

“I’m goin’ to get some food. If ye want some too, then I suggest ye follow me and nae wait. The men like to get to the best pickings, and if ye wait for too long, ye’ll be left wit’ nothing but scraps,” Olivia warned as she turned to the door.

“I’ll need to get Melody ready first,” Astrid said as she looked at the little girl’s smudged face.

But it wasn’t just Melody’s face that needed to be cleaned. Her dress was tattered and worn. The once-white fabric was now a brown color. No matter how many times Astrid washed it, she couldn’t get out the stains.

“Och, that reminds me,” Eileen piped up gleefully. “I brought ye something clean to wear. Thomas didnae tell us much, but he did mention that ye may nae have anything to wear.”

“Ye really didnae have to do that,” Astrid said as the doors to the room flew open once again.

Several maids entered the room, each holding a different dress in various sizes. Astrid’s chest tightened. Her anxiety spiked as the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Her first instinct was to send them all back. After all, there was only one reason a laird would send such lavish gifts so soon.

But as she glanced at Olivia and then at Eileen, a new, strange sensation came over her.

“Och, I did. Have ye seen what ye’re wearin’? I wouldnae want to go downstairs lookin’ like that and have the clansmen gawkin’ at me,” Olivia said with a toss of her hair. “Ye’d never hear the end of it.”

“Olivia is right. Now, come on. If ye want the best cuts of meat, ye’re goin’ to have to hurry,” Eileen urged as she hurried to get Melody out of her frayed, tattered clothes.

Astrid stepped back and watched as they dressed Melody.

“Look, MAstrid. What do ye think?” Melody asked as she spun around.

Astrid couldn’t help but smile at her. She couldn’t believe how much the little girl resembled her mother. Sometimes, it felt like looking into the past.

“Well, I think ye are the loveliest of them all,” Astrid cooed. “Now, are ye ready?”

“And just where do ye think ye’re goin’? We werenae just talkin’ about yer wee one here. The men downstairs are brutes—dinnae let them convince ye otherwise. Ye’ll need something a bit… well, more,” Eileen said as she tossed a dress to Astrid.

The mossy green reminded Astrid of the necklace her sister always wore. The emerald in the center had always caught her eye.

For a moment, Astrid could see her sister wearing such a lovely dress.

“Och, nay, I didnae agree to that. I let ye have yer way wit’ Melody, but I dinnae want to owe the Laird any more than I already do,” she said, refusing the dress.

“Ye poor thing,” Olivia gasped, clapping a hand over her mouth as her eyes widened. “Have ye never kenned a lick of kindness in yer life? We dinnae expect anything. The dress is a gift—a sorely needed one. Ye cannae expect to be taken seriously in what ye’re wearin’. Now, come on and let’s get on wit’ it.”

Astrid didn’t have a chance, not with Eileen blocking the door and Olivia determined to give her a makeover.

Begrudgingly, she took off her old clothes. Just as soon as they hit the floor, Eileen was there to collect them and toss them into the fire. The fabric went up in flames as if it were made of wood.

“There,” Olivia said as Astrid smoothed the wrinkles from her new dress and Eileen tied up the back. “Now, doesnae that feel a little better? We’ll make sure that a basin is brought in so ye can clean up. I’m sure ye’re dyin’ to wash yer hair. But we’ve wasted enough time. If we dinnae leave now, we might as well nae eat at all.”

“We understand, ye’re famished,” Eileen drawled purposefully. “What are ye waitin’ for, then? The door is there.”

“Ye look pretty, Astrid,” Melody whispered as she slipped her small hand into Astrid’s.

Giving Melody a reassuring squeeze, Astrid nodded her head toward the door. “Thank ye, but I think ye look prettier. Now, are ye hungry? I think we might actually be able to have some scraps,” she said as she followed Eileen and Olivia out of the room.

As they walked, Eileen pointed out the various rooms. There was the library with more books than Astrid could count. Although she did not enjoy reading books, she couldn’t help but be impressed with the collection. Melody’s eyes widened as they passed the study and the drawing room.

Continuing down the long corridor, delightful scents wafted toward them, taunting and teasing Astrid’s senses. Her stomach growled, and her mouth watered. She could smell the honey cake and roast boar. Each scent was more delicious than the last.

Astrid wished she could take off running and gorge herself on whatever food was there. But she held back. She had to at least make a good example for Melody.

“Och, that’s nice,” Melody said, her eyes rolling to the back of her head. The child had yet to taste the food and she was already enjoying it. “Do ye think we’ll be able to eat any of it?”

“Of course, ye will,” Eileen assured her, her brow furrowed with confusion. “Why wouldnae ye? If ye’re under the Laird’s protection, then ye get to enjoy his food too. Ye’ll nae find a single person in Clan McFair who is hungry or in need. We help each other around here and see that everyone’s needs are met. And that includes ye now as well.”

Melody’s eyes lit up as she tried to contain her excitement. As they rounded the corner and stepped into the Great Hall, the wonderful scent of treats and roasted meat became almost irresistible.

“Why don’t I help ye make a plate? And then we’ll find ye a place to sit,” Olivia suggested.

Astrid had seen the Great Hall at Chalium Castle before, and it wasn’t nearly as impressive as this one.

“Are ye nae hungry?” Eileen asked when Astrid put only a small piece of toast on her plate. “We werenae lyin’ when we said ye can have as much as ye want. Eat to yer heart’s content.”

“Thank ye,” Astrid managed as she followed behind Melody, who was making a beeline for the roasted meat.

“Of course,” Eileen said with a bubbly smile.

A hush fell over the hall as Astrid piled more food on her plate. All eyes swiveled to the door. She turned to see the Laird walk into the hall, his presence commanding respect.

“Speak of the devil and he shall appear. But ye’ve already met Thomas, I’m sure. It’s Reid ye have to watch out for,” Eileen explained. “He can be a bit much. And if ye dinnae ken what I’m talkin’ about, just wait. He’ll be around here soon enough.”

Astrid nodded her head, but she wasn’t really listening. It wasn’t Reid who had caught her attention, but Thomas as he passed them. A tingling sensation began at the top of her head and traveled down to her toes. She could feel his eyes on her as he walked by. As much as she wanted to look at him, she knew that one glimpse of him would unravel her.

Trying to keep her wits about her, Astrid tried to spot Melody as the Laird took his seat. She let out a heavy sigh as Melody darted past her with her plate piled high.

“Did ye leave anything for anyone else?” Astrid asked, feeling a hint of embarrassment at the child’s greed.

It was clear Melody was thinking with her eyes and not the size of her stomach.

“There’s plenty for everyone. Nay need to worry about that,” Olivia interjected.

“Still, I think I’ll help Melody wit’ what she put on her plate. I willnae have a wasteful child,” Astrid said with a wink.

As she looked up, she caught sight of Thomas. His gaze lingered on her, making her flush. He didn’t turn away when she caught him looking but continued to stare at her, making her question if he was indeed looking at her at all.

But the way he ran the tip of his finger over his lips sent a rush of excitement through her. He was looking at her, and the strange thing was, she liked it.