Chapter 15
At the table in the Great Hall, Dominik sat alongside his man-at-arms, their conversation flowing easily enough, even as Dominik was endlessly distracted. His thoughts continued to return to the previous evening. He was still so surprised by the level of vulnerability Rose had demonstrated.
She had spoken so candidly with him in her chambers, after an afternoon and evening of working tirelessly for the clan, in the actual muck, for God’s sake. He couldn’t deny that he was impressed by his feisty new wife, or the fact that she’d proven herself a great deal to him.
“And where has yer head gone?” Oskar cut into his thoughts with his blunt words. “Ye’ve been half-listening to me this entire morning. I’ll say ye’ve nearly eaten the flowers on the table ye’re so distracted.”
Part of the reason Dominik liked Oskar so much was that he was open and honest about all things. His level of integrity and attention to detail were highly prized in a man-at-arms, and he was a dear friend.
Still, right at this moment, Dominik wanted to throttle him.
“It isnae anything for ye to be concerned about. I am only thinking on the clan’s harshness toward Rose.”
“Och, I see, are ye now? And I need nae be concerned about that?” Oskar cocked a brow, eyeing him in a knowing way that made Dominik’s temper flare, hot and quick in his blood.
“I daenae ken what ye’re looking at me like that for. She is the lady of this castle. It is me duty to ensure that the clan respects her, to quell any unrest.”
Oskar’s eyebrows rose to his hairline, and he hid a smirk behind a sip of his ale. When he returned his cup to the table, Dominik clenched his jaw, knowing that his friend was about to say something else that infuriated him.
“Och, of course. Yer duty. That is the most important thing. And I am certain that it is what ye mean. There could be nae other reason that ye might wish to ensure Rose is well at hand.”
“And what am I to take from that comment, eh?”
Shaking his head, Oskar held up his hands in surrender. “Nae a thing, me laird. I assure ye.”
“And ye are of nae help at all. I am working to endear Rose to the clan, to avoid unrest. Would ye care to offer yer keen insight?”
“I am nae the Laird…” Oskar continued to hold his hands up, and eventually Dominik shoved them down. “…But I will say that part of the problem is the fact that the clan doesnae ken Rose. She is a stranger to nearly everyone, and they havenae seen what she is really like.”
The insight was accurate, and Dominik’s head bobbed in a nod. “Aye. That is certainly part of the issue. If there were a way to—”
His words stopped as the idea struck him as crystalline as a bolt of lightning.
Dominik pushed away from the table in his seat and practically leaped out of his chair.
Oskar shouted back at him, but he needed to meet with Rose and the staff at once.
If his plan were to succeed, there would be much to prepare beforehand.
Still, as he navigated the familiar hallways of his keep, Dominik’s mind turned to what Oskar had been jesting about earlier.
Does he truly think there is more to me aims than simply to ensure the clan is looked after and the relationship with it and me wife is amiable? How foolish. I am merely doing me duty.
Dominik knew with absolute certainty that he was doing only what his position required of him.
It was the same as his deadline to consummate their marriage.
He cared for Rose only as he would for any member of his clan.
She was admittedly attractive, but again, in that regard, it was not about wanting her that way.
It was about upholding tradition that they could both agree on and ensuring that in the future there would be an heir to care for the keep as he had.
There is undoubtedly nae a thing more. Me feelings are…They are centered on duty. I am sure of it.
Sighing, Dominik felt the weight of his thoughts in his mind.
It was unclear who he was trying to convince so brutally of this truth.
He was the Laird. He hardly needed to “convince” anyone of anything.
Still, Dominik had been repeating that inner monologue for some time.
Was it himself he was attempting to persuade?
Of course, it could not be so. For if it were, that would mean…
In the middle of the corridor in front of him appeared Rose and her maid, Peggy.
Dominik was at once shunted from his thoughts, forcibly because he would not dwell on all this nonsense, particularly not when his wife was standing before him.
He met the pair a few more steps down the hall, and Peggy, much to Dominik’s confusion, physically flinched at the sight of him, reeling back.
“Apologies, ladies. I was merely approaching to inquire with me wife.” Peggy held her hand to her chest, and Dominik fought back a laugh, amused by the way she seemed torn between fully running in the opposite direction and remaining with her charge.
Dominik could respect that Peggy wished to do her duty, that she wanted to stay with Rose even though she was clearly upset, but it was ridiculous to be afraid of him.
Dominik was the Laird of the keep, yes, but he was not some brute.
He was not going to attack them or anything even remotely as foul.
“Good morrow, my laird. How can I be of assistance?”
Rose’s greeting turned Dominik’s attention to his wife, and he saw something strange in her countenance.
For as open and vulnerable as she had been the previous evening, Rose appeared skittish and shy now.
He felt an instant desire to reach out and take her hand; to ease any worry she might be holding regarding their conversation the night before.
But it was not appropriate, nor was it a wise idea to do so, especially not in view of her maid.
Ye willnae be so rash, Dominik. No matter how ye crave to ease her concerns.
“Aye, me Lady, ye can. I have decided to hold a cèilidh, a grand gathering to introduce ye to the clan properly. I believe that the event will allow the people to better get to ken ye and offer some reassurance that yer presence isnae related to the troubles with the livestock.”
As he waited for her response, Dominik wasn’t sure what he expected from his wife, but it certainly was not the large grin that spread across Rose’s face. She lit up, his words bringing her obvious joy, and the excitement bubbled up from within her, visible and plain for anyone to see.
“Oh, that is wonderful, my laird. I have heard of cèilidhean, talk of their wild exuberance overshadowing even an English drum at the height of the season. I have never attended one, however. I am truly delighted by the idea. Oh, but there will be so much to plan. I will be sure to get to work with Eilidh right away.”
Rose practically babbled in front of him, her words spilling out quickly and with such high energy. Dominik found himself smiling along with her, suddenly much more excited about the prospect of a cèilidh than he had been originally.
It had been just an idea to allow the clan to get to know Rose.
They needed to make better acquaintances, and there was no better place to do such a thing than at a joyous gathering of the members of the clan.
But now, the notion of entertaining his clan, his wife, filled Dominik with such exuberance.
Cèilidhean were notoriously enjoyable and holding one could also indicate to the clan that Rose was happily embracing Scottish traditions, while she was indeed enjoying them.
A rather brilliant plan, I must say.
Eyeing her smile, Dominik’s blood stirred, and he fought to regain control of himself before speaking.
“Excellent.” He nodded once, trying not to be so bewitched by the dazzling allure of Rose’s expression. “We will indeed have much to plan, but I am sure ye’ll be in good hands with Eilidh and the staff.”
“Of course, my laird. What types of activities are traditional for a cèilidh of this nature?” Rose took a step forward, her stare so intent as she awaited his answer, rapt attention undivided.
“Aye, well, the most essential aspect would of course be the dance. The cèilidh is not a cèilidh at all without it. I believe it is similar in fashion to the country dances I’ve heard spoken of in England.”
Rose nodded happily, her gaze flicking down as her mind visibly spun about. Peggy, who still regarded him with suspicion, remained quiet.
“I will ensure the dance is prepared correctly. I understand how important it is. What else should I be aware of?”
Dominik couldn’t deny that he was impressed by Rose’s dedication to the event.
He recalled what he knew of high-society women in England and how they took immense pride in creating entertaining social gatherings.
It still seemed well over the amount of necessary revelry.
The English these days was nearly as bad as the French, and only less so because it took so long for the trends to work their way down to them.
Still, Rose was trying, putting in the effort, and that spoke to her character.
“There should be a fine meal served for those in attendance, a full Scottish menu laid on the table for all guests to enjoy in the Great Hall. We should have a fine performer, a poet-singer or musician, who will regale us all with braw tales woven into music. Storytelling and music are also crucial to the cèilidh.”
“I see. Very well then. Of course, we will be certain to find the best performer to engage the people, and it will be my pleasure to meet and interact more with the clan. I am truly so excited, my laird.”
Dominik nodded with a grin, but the tension in the hall—not to mention the fiery wrath of Peggy’s stare—sobered him. The gathering was being held to ensure his people warmed up to Rose. She needed to be prepared to act as the lady of the keep, to carry herself as such.
“It will be yer duty there, lass, to ensure the people accept ye. Respect ye. We want them to have a bonny evening, of course, but there is a purpose behind the event. We cannae have more rumors and words carried about of yer presence being an ill omen for the clan.”
Rose’s expression dropped, so much so that Dominik worried he might find the tangible remains of her excitement on the floor, beneath his boots. His own chest tightened as she sucked in a new breath, holding herself to a stricter posture and nodding gently.
“Of course, my laird. I would never forget such a crucial mission. I can assure you that I will do my utmost to be a strong lady of this keep and to give the clan every reason to accept and celebrate our union.”
Her voice was even, a level measure of highs and lows, but Dominik could still see the tension wringing Rose’s body, the way the smile she wore now was a fraction of the one she’d had. A false one at that.
There was a moment of pause where the two of them simply stared at each other, and then Rose nodded firmly once more, her straight spine going all the more rigid.
“You have my complete commitment, my laird. I will begin preparation at once.”
Dominik could not find the words. He felt a strange way after reminding Rose of the importance, something like guilt for so disrupting the eagerness that she had exhibited. Had his reminder truly stripped away so much of her joy? Or was there more to it than that?
The answer would not be given to him, and he simply found it in himself to nod back.
Peggy looped an arm through Rose’s and carried her away, likely to the kitchens to find Eilidh.
And Dominik, frozen to the stone floor as if trapped there by a gorgon, remained in the silent hall until, at last, he picked up his feet and strode directly to his study.
There was indeed much to plan, and the first step on his behalf would be to send out letters informing his closest friends that the gathering would be happening in just a few days’ time. So, he set himself to the task, resolutely keeping his mind from his wife.