Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
There was frost on the ground this morning, and Anna was sure that she could see her breath as she was pulling on her gown. Unlike her home in London, which seemed to hold onto heat, the castle welcomed the cold of the environment.
When she left her room, shuffling into the corridor, the temperature improved slightly. The chill was still heavy in the air, but the rooms surrounding the hallway seemed to act as insulation. If she were dressed properly, she doubted that she'd be bothered.
I should have insisted on seeing the seamstress yesterday. I need something more suitable for the weather as soon as possible.
She rubbed her hands against her biceps, trying to create warmth. Even though she wasn't in a hurry, her footsteps were faster than usual. The increased physical movement did wonders, warming her from her core to her limbs.
"Are ye all right, me Lady?" Emelia asked, breaking away from the other maid she'd been talking to. "Ye're movin' quite quickly."
"I'm just fine," Anna assured her. "Though I'm a bit cold. Moving faster is helping me warm up."
"Ach, it is a bit cool this mornin'," Emelia agreed. "It should warm up soon. We're nae in the throes of winter just yet."
Anna laughed as she guided them toward the great hall, dreaming of a hot cup of tea and something warm to put in her belly. "I suppose that I should be thankful for that, then."
"Do ye nae have any thicker dresses?" Emelia said, dutifully walking with Anna. "Ye should have a few made of wool and warmer undergarments as well."
"I don't," Anna admitted. "I brought some of my clothing from England, but nothing is truly suitable." She gestured at the dress she was wearing. "This may be the warmest gown I own."
"And our Laird hasnae done anythin' about that?" Emelia said, aghast at the thought that her charge was being neglected. "He should ken better than anyone that the cold is unforgivin' here."
"He's intended to take me to the seamstress since we arrived," Anna said, feeling strangely defensive of her husband. "Had we not been so busy with the villagers yesterday, he would have taken me to get what I needed."
"Good," Emelia said, hooking her arm in Anna's and leading her into the great hall. Most of the castle was here, eating and talking. There was so much laughter and revelry that Anna couldn't help but grin. "Until we get ye proper clothin', let's keep ye warm with some food and drink."
Anna allowed herself to be led to the head table. It was a pleasant surprise to see Hugh there. Even though she'd had a proper meal with him in the village the day prior, she hadn't been able to speak with him.
"Ye look pale," Hugh said as she settled into her chair to his right. "Ye're nae goin' to faint again, are ye? Ye'd cause quite a scene in front of everyone if ye did."
Anna stifled a laugh. "I won't faint again, Hugh. I had been shocked when you showed up at my door. Something like that had never happened before."
"Then why do ye look as if ye're barely holdin' onto life?" Hugh asked, already loading her plate with an assortment of foods. "Ye're shakin'. Are ye cold?"
"I'm a bit chilly," Anna admitted, smiling up at Emelia when she poured a cup of tea for Anna. "I'd like some new gowns. I'm a bit regretful that we weren't able to see the seamstress. I don't think I'll be able to survive this cold much longer."
"I'll talk to me maither about findin' ye somethin' for now," Hugh said, looking Anna over. "And I'll send word to the village today. I'll ask after the seamstress's schedule. We may be able to get her here today to get yer measurements. We willnae let ye be cold any longer."
Anna giggled softly, taking a sip of the strong black tea she'd been served. "Thank goodness. I wasn't sure what I'd do if we didn't fix the problem."
"I will fix any problem ye have," he said with conviction. "The clothes are easy."
His care washed over her. It was fierce, a declaration of his devotion. Her breath stuttered in her chest. The sensation was overwhelming, but not unwelcome.
Every time I question if he truly wants me around, he proves to me that I'm overthinking.
"Eat yer food," Hugh instructed, not looking at her. "Get a wee bit of color back into yer cheeks."
There was no way Anna could ignore that directive. It was a command born of care and concern. So she ate, sipping her tea and letting the warmth wash over her. While the food and tea helped dull the sharp edge, she still felt the chill deep in her bones.
"Daenae worry," Hugh said as their meal began to draw to a close. He sopped up the leftover juices on his plate with a bannock. "Ye'll have yer measurements taken in the next two days, I promise ye that."
He grabbed hold of her hand, his eyes locked on hers as he brought it to his mouth and pressed a lingering kiss to the back of it.
Anna's breath caught, and she blushed deeply at the public nature of the display.
Then, before she could say or do anything, Hugh rose and stalked out of the great hall.
The men were training in the courtyard, the same as they always were.
Hugh approached them, watching as they ran through their drills.
It was clear to Hugh that the transition back to his orders was smooth.
Despite the flaws of his council, Hugh's men were always sharp.
Even with the abrupt changes to their training structure, they were just as effective as before he left.
He stood at the edge of the yard, watching as they practiced swordsmanship and different formations.
Hugh knew, without a doubt, that they'd be ready if any threat presented itself to the castle.
Though, they were so focused on their drills that they didn't realize he was standing there, appraising their skills.
Hugh cleared his throat before saying, "I'll only need a minute of yer time. And one of ye to ride into the village for me."
"What do ye need from the village?" one asked.
"Did ye forget somethin'?" another joked, a playful grin on his face.
"Nay, I just didnae have enough time to finish all of me errands," Hugh said, smirking. "The villagers were quite fond of me wife. I couldnae get her away from them. So, I need one of ye to ride into the village and get the seamstress for me. Yer Lady needs proper attire for the winter."
As Hugh had been expecting, several of them volunteered. Their loyalty was predictable and appreciated. They'd yet to meet Anna, yet all of them seemed to have a vested interest in her well-being.
"Ye can go, David," Hugh said, knowing that the man was likely the most well-practiced and disciplined of the militia. "I will walk with ye to the stables. I'd like to speak with ye about somethin'."
David nodded, sheathing his sword and stepping out of formation. Hugh nodded at him, beginning their walk and trusting that David would catch up. As he stepped away from his post, the sounds of training began in earnest again.
"What is it ye needed to speak with me about, me Laird?" David asked.
"I just need to ken who was in charge of ye when I was in England," Hugh said, knowing that asking his council and Marcus would likely send him in circles. "I've nae been informed on what happened in my absence."
"Ach, well, we were dealin' with two people out in the courtyard. I daenae ken what was goin' on in the castle itself," David admitted. "Callum and Marcus were overseein' everythin'. They both had different ideas on what we should be doin', and it was a right mess."
Hugh processed the information. Apparently, Marcus had stepped in while Hugh was away, though he only had evidence that he'd done so with the men. Truthfully, Hugh thought it more than appropriate for his brother to step in and ensure that the militia was battle-ready.
But Callum? Involved here? Was he correctin' Marcus's leadership or was he the one muckin' it up?
Before Hugh was able to ask, he spotted Anna, seemingly going in the same direction. She noticed him at the same time, her gorgeous face lighting up. She corrected her course, scuttling toward the two of them.
"Ach, am I gettin' the honor of meetin' Lady McDonald?" David asked, grinning at Anna's excitement.
"I thought you'd be busy," Anna said, stopping right next to Hugh. "So I was going to come over and meet the horses." She shifted her attention to David. "My apologies for not introducing myself. I'm Anna."
"I ken who ye are, me Lady," David said, a hint of pride in his voice. "Me name is David Giffard."
"David," she repeated as they continued toward the stables. "Are you one of the men who keep this place safe?"
"Aye," he said, puffing out his chest. "And I'm the one in charge of gettin' the seamstress for ye."
"He's one of me most loyal men," Hugh said, clapping David on the shoulder, sending him forward to retrieve his steed as he and Anna stopped. "Ye wanted to greet the horses, then?"
"Yes," she confirmed. "I was hoping that I could practice my riding sometime soon."
"Well, ye can practice today," Hugh offered. "I'll make some time to oversee ye, make sure ye daenae hurt yerself."
"I can ride," Anna said, turning her nose in the air. There was a slight smile on her face, proof that she wasn't upset by the joke. "I wouldn't hurt myself even if I were alone here."
"Well, I would feel better if I'm here to watch ye," Hugh said, leading her into the stables. "I wouldnae want ye to be injured durin' yer first week here. That might make ye a bit sour on the castle. The cold's already gettin' to ye."
"The cold won't scare me off," she said, nodding at David as he rode out. "That problem will be fixed soon. Once I have proper clothing, I'll be just fine."
"That's good to hear," Hugh said, stroking the muzzle of a mare that leaned over her stall to nose at him. "Now, I think I'll start ye on one of her foals. It'll be yers."
"Is this horse yours?" Anna asked, watching as the bay and white creature pressed her head more firmly against Hugh's hand. "She seems to like you."
"Aye," Hugh confirmed. "I was lucky enough to be gifted her before I took over Lairdship. The foal I'm givin' ye is her first."
"And what's her name?" she murmured. At the sound of her voice, the horse turned to Anna, seeming to analyze her.
"We call her Nuggle," he said, chuckling when the mare snorted approvingly at Anna.
"Nuggle?" She stroked the horse's muzzle softly. "That's an odd name."
"She's named after a problem-causin' water spirit that takes the form of a horse," he explained. "Though the Nuggle from the stories is always a male. She's just got the same disposition. Smart as can be, and she uses it to play jokes on the men and me."
Anna laughed, giving Nuggle the scratches she was now demanding. "Well, I quite like her, then. She's a lovely animal."
"Aye," he agreed, allowing a fond smile to settle over his features. "She is. She keeps me on me toes. And she's smart when we're ridin'. I'm fairly certain her foal has inherited that."
"Then I'm quite eager to meet this foal," Anna said as Nuggle lifted her head and stepped back. "Please lead the way, Hugh."