Chapter 17
The next day, Rose was so emboldened by the success of the cèilidh and moved by the support of her husband that she wished to do something for him in return.
She needed to take full advantage of the favorable view the clan had of her, and Rose knew that if she were to continue upholding her duties as lady, she needed to show them they could respect her.
After all, respect was earned, not given.
“My lady?” Rose jumped slightly, having been so very lost in her thoughts, and she turned back to Peggy, who stood nearby as Rose finished a cup of tea.
“I wish to let you know that I am most grateful to your husband for what he has done for you with the cèilidh. I…I am aware that I did not always view him or the clan in the highest regard, but I was mistaken. He has shown his true colors with the gathering, and I can see how serious he is about ensuring you’re accepted here. ”
Rose was taken aback by the honesty. She knew that Peggy had been feeling uneasy since they arrived, and she did seem to almost fear the clan and its Laird.
“It is good to hear that, Peggy. Thank you for telling me. I am grateful myself, and I wish to do something to capitalize on this gain I have made as the lady of the castle, while also showing our Laird that I am just as serious. It is just that I am unsure what that thing could be.”
Peggy stepped forward, patting her hand. “I am sure you’ll think of something, my lady. Will you be joining Eilidh in the kitchens again? You could ask her.”
Nodding back, Rose put her fingers on her chin, holding it firmly as she thought about the potential options.
“Yes, I will be going sometime later. This morning, I am to meet with Fiona about—”
It hit her. The perfect option to take advantage of the ground she gained last night and reflect her seriousness in her duties to both the clan and Dominik. Rose leaped up from her chair, clapping her hands.
“I have it!” She grinned wide, hurrying straight to the door. “I must go to Fiona at once!”
Rose didn’t even look back, taking off down the hall and practically sprinting to the healer’s chambers to find her dear friend. Fiona had been so kind and supportive that Rose just knew she would be open to assisting her with making her plan a reality. She only needed to tell her—and quick.
Inside the healer’s chambers, Fiona stood at the back table, preparing herbs and tinctures as she usually did each morning. Rose got right up to her, taking hold of the woman’s shoulders and spinning her around so they could face one another.
“Och, me Lady. What’s gotten into ye? I nearly smashed the bottle of willow bark ointment.”
“Apologies, Fiona.” Rose could not keep the smile from her face.
“I have come up with a brilliant plan to aid the clan. We shall open the gates for a time each week, starting as soon as we can, and allow folk to come inside for healing, food, gathering a bit of supplies like cloth or spices, what have you. It will be brilliant. We can speak to the men and women who come, and make sure we tailor what is available to what they need. It will be a way to ensure they are cared for. Healing and hospitality from the Laird and Lady of Clan MacKay. What do you think?”
Fiona’s eyes lit up, her smile stretching wide across her face. She took Rose’s hands, squeezing them as she nodded excitedly.
“It is a bonny idea! I can help ye to gather up the herbs and remedies necessary for the most common wounds. We can use our overstock of supplies, too. Send the people off with bandages and things they can use themselves if they’re mildly injured.
I can be sure the healer is here to look over their teeth as well.
Och, toothaches are a terrible complaint, and I’ve done more than a few pulls meself. ”
Rose laughed, her spirit light like a cloud, while Fiona and she spoke about everything they could do to help the people of Clan MacKay.
It felt purposeful and necessary, a service that would be so appreciated by everyone.
This was precisely what she wanted to be doing, helping and arranging the best way for the needs of those around her to be met. It utilized all her skills.
A beat of nervousness crept in, and she asked, “Do you think the Laird will approve?”
“Of course!” Fiona looked at her as if the notion of Dominik being unhappy with the idea was ridiculous. It was the confidence that she needed to feel that much more optimistic about her plan.
“Excellent. Please speak with the healer when he joins you at last. Make the arrangements you can, and I will present everything to the Laird.”
“I will, me Lady. I am certain the Laird will be thrilled.”
Rose grinned all the more until it hit her that when she went to speak with her husband about this, he might very well bring up the deadline he had set forth.
It was only two days from now. Her heartbeat skipped erratically for a moment, and Rose’s stare dropped to the floor as she forced herself to breathe evenly.
Was it nerves that took her in hand so fiercely, or something more, something that made her feel needy and on edge?
“Me Lady? Me Lady?” Fiona waved a hand in front of Rose’s face. “Where did ye go? At once, yer expression just dropped.”
Shaking herself, Rose glanced back up at Fiona, feeling a trifle embarrassed as she said, “Apologies, Fiona. I am…distracted by a thought, is all. It is silly.”
Narrowing her eyes at her, Fiona leaned back against the table, crossing her arms over her chest. She was settling in, and Rose had a feeling that she wasn’t leaving the room until she opened up about her distress to the healer’s apprentice.
“Silly or nae, ye can talk to me, me Lady. I will listen to ye and nae judge. And I am in desperate need of more gossip, so…”
Rose couldn’t help but laugh, shaking her head. “You mustn’t tell a single soul what I am about to share with you. Do you understand?”
“Aye, me Lady.” Fiona’s eyes were large and serious, her hand going over her heart. “I promise ye me secrecy.”
“The Laird and I haven’t yet…consummated our arrangement.
” Fiona’s jaw dropped, and Rose stamped a foot, her cheeks heating.
“I know what you must think, but you simply must not look at me like that. It isn’t because I don’t want to or think anything poorly about the Laird. It’s only that…I did not feel ready.”
“Och, love.” Fiona reached out and pulled Rose into an embrace, catching the lady off guard. Still, it eased that feeling of embarrassment, and Rose sighed as Fiona let go and she took up a place next to her, also leaning against the table. “Have ye nae had this talk with yer own maither?”
“Of course, as much as any English woman would, and I am afraid to say that it is not much.” Rose sighed again, raising her shoulders only to let them drop.
“I do not wish to feel so on edge about it all. It is my duty, and I am fully capable of upholding that. But there is something so different about talking about it compared to going through with it.”
“I understand, and ye’re correct. It is certainly different to talk about intercourse compared to doing the deed.
” Fiona let out a little chuckle, lightening the mood of the room.
“But ye must remember that ye are much braver than ye might think. Ye helped with the sick livestock, stood up in front of a room of Scottish Highlands and gave a toast, and even stood up to Eilidh and the Laird himself a few times. Daenae sell yerself short, mistress.”
“I have never thought about it like that,” Rose admitted. “When you describe it as such, it does sound a tad more impressive than I previously assumed.”
“It does!” Fiona nudged her with her elbow. “And yer trust and care for each other will grow over time. This is only part of yer relationship. Take it slow and proceed with the courage ye have in all other things.”
“Thank you, Fiona. Your advice has been truly beneficial. I’m exceedingly grateful.”
“Och, daenae go flattering me. Save it for yer husband.” Fiona winked, and the two of them devolved into a fit of giggles.
Later that evening, Rose sat with Dominik at the head table during their supper in the Great Hall.
The room was filled with people who’d yet to make the journey back to their homes, along with the familiar faces she was beginning to recognize the longer she lived here.
As she reached for her wine and took a sip, Rose recalled that Dominik had had a meeting with the councilmen earlier in the day, and it appeared the irritation the men had caused him was still lingering.
Perhaps the news of my plan will bolster his mood.
The council members were all sitting at the table just to the right and in front of them, and Rose kept her voice even and low.
“My laird,” Dominik turned to her, setting down his mug of ale, “I was thinking about something that I could do for the clan this morning. I’ve discussed some of the arrangements with Fiona, and she believes them to be feasible.”
“Oh, and what plan is this?” He cocked a brow, clearly curious.
Rose cleared her throat, sucking in a breath for strength.
“I would like to open the gates to the keep once each week to provide healing and additional services to the people. We can help them with their injuries or sore teeth. Fiona believes she can make tinctures and the like that could travel home with them as well. We could also provide fabrics, food, and general supplies they might require. It will allow the people regular access to basic necessities that they might not have otherwise.”
There was a beat of stillness, one during which her husband eyed her keenly.
His expression remained so stoic, so emotionless, but she noticed his stare briefly flick toward the council.
Dominik’s eyes narrowed a hair, nearly imperceptible.
Still, Rose could just pick up the air of satisfaction in that steely gaze he sent their way.
Had they discussed her earlier during their meeting?
If so, it would certainly highlight her value, as Rose had come up with this plan unprompted.
“See it done, lass.” Dominik gave her a short nod, his expression still mostly unreadable, his air that of a man who stood only on duty.
But as he lifted his cup once more, Dominik looked at her from over the rim of the mug, and the tiniest twinkle lay in his eyes, a proud smile that only she could see.
Rose’s heart warmed, and while she didn’t enjoy that the secrecy was necessary at present, she was still moved that he’d accepted her idea and taken a moment to ensure that Rose saw a bit of his true emotions.
“I will, my laird. Thank you.”
Their dinner would carry on, and over the next day or two, Rose would work to arrange the gate opening. Following that…Dominik’s deadline would be up.