Chapter Eleven #3
Clementine stepped forward and weaved her arm through mine. “Aye,” she agreed. “You’ve outdone yourself, Isla.”
I was deeply touched by the extent of Isla’s gratitude.
It occurred to me that the workers of our clan had gone unrewarded for many years.
It was no wonder they had become lax with their work habits if they’d never reaped the benefits of their labors.
My husband’s methods of leadership were indeed much more effective than those of my father.
“Would you like to see the menu we’ve planned for the noon meal, milady?” It was Jinty, one of the cooks, who spoke. “Your husband said he likes herbs with his carrots and fresh bread along with his meat, and butter for his bread and salt on the table. So we’ve been trying a few new dishes.”
“I’m sure he’ll be very pleased, Jinty,” I said.
“We’re a little behind this morning, alas,” Jinty lamented, “although we’ve been up since before dawn.
One of the bakers—Mary—she’s taken ill. Nothing serious, I hope, but we told her to stay abed until she’s well.
We don’t want her passing on her illness to your husband, now, do we?
We’re just a little behind without the extra pair of hands, but we’ll be sure to have everything ready by the time your husband returns to us at noontime.
He said he’s not hunting today, but working in the weapons sheds. ”
I had no knowledge of my husband’s schedule for the day, but I was glad to hear that he was close by and that I might see him during the day.
This knowledge, however, was prickled with the new information Bonnie had given me.
Caleb was here, also close by. The thought of both my husband and my first love together, in the same keep—or in the same room—brought an uneasy glimmer to the light, which I made a point to ignore.
And I was distracted by my elder sister, who’d taken an unusually keen interest in the goings-on of the kitchen. “If you need help with the bread...I’d be happy to contribute,” she said softly.
“I will, too,” said Lottie.
Isla welcomed Clementine’s help, and I recruited Lottie to help me set the tables in the hall.
“You know,” said Clementine. “I’ve always—my whole life—wanted to learn to cook. I was hoping to ask for that assignment at the convent.” After an uneasy pause, as though a thought had occurred to her, she said, “Are you sure that Father will allow this, Stella?”
“I’ll handle Father,” I said, experiencing a wash of courage that was entirely new to me.
I was tired of being afraid of him, of hiding away from his misdirected, useless anger.
There was work to be done that was not only highly beneficial for the well-being, success and prosperity of our clan, but also enjoyable.
For the first time in my life, I felt a sense of purpose, and of strength.
In fact, I was overcome by a strong yet inexplicable desire to not only clean up this keep but oust my own father from his reign altogether.
My father’s power had brought me endless misery—although I hadn’t realized the extent of it until my husband had shone a light on all things remiss.
Each and every discontentment of Kade’s, since he’d arrived within our walls, had been astute and entirely accurate.
Through my husband’s perspective, I was able to see that the life I had led thus far was not easy, pampered or safe, as my father had always claimed to us.
It was riddled with fear, abuse and isolation.
I wanted my husband’s reign to start now.
I hadn’t known Kade Mackenzie all that long—less than two months—but what I did know of him had enlightened me on every level.
I thought of him now. His light eyes and the enticing grip of his strong warrior’s hands.
The shape of his mouth. His smile. His wicked, wicked tongue.
As it always did when I was in his presence or remembering his reverberating effect on me, my skin grew warmer, my body stirred with a muted self-awareness that charged me with restless, undirected urgency.
My husband would protect me, if it came to that.
With his assurances, I could follow through on the jobs that I needed to do, and that I wanted to do.
And if Kade wasn’t able to shield me from the consequences of my own actions for one reason or another, well, so be it.
I would fight for myself. I would take the hours as they came, and do my best to act honorably and for the greater good, as he did.
Lottie and I chatted idly as we straightened the settings for the tables and lit the many candles placed liberally around the room.
I stopped abruptly as I heard commotion. A number of people were entering the main doors of the manor. There were voices and footsteps.
It was Maisie, Bonnie and Jamie, dressed in his soldier’s garb.
Jamie was followed by his brother. None other than the boy I had once cried for and yearned for above all others, who’d given me comfort when before I’d had none, and to whom I had first promised my heart and my hand.