Chapter 12
As promised, hot water for washing and a tea tray appeared in her room, and Cat eagerly availed herself of both.
Tea in the Highlands meant a malty brew of such fortitude that she could practically stand a spoon in it.
She splashed milk into her cup and sipped it with pleasure.
Heartened, she cautiously nibbled a thick oatcake.
Her stomach seemed to have fully recovered from the sea voyage, for she ate the whole biscuit and its companion, spread with a soft sheep’s cheese. Heaven.
Cat fell asleep after that, and woke up surprisingly refreshed.
The light was failing outside—it must be nearing time for the evening meal.
She hadn’t remembered any instructions about it, so she decided to simply dress for dinner and go downstairs, hoping that she wouldn’t be too early or too late.
Her choices for a dress were simple: black or black.
With a grimace, she pulled on the black gown she’d worn the least, and then remembered why that was so—the tiny cap sleeves didn’t provide any warmth, and the cut of the bodice was rather too low for a mourning gown.
This dress had originally been a pale blue confection meant for long summer days; rather than buy all new gowns for mourning, Cat simply dumped her existing collection into a vat of dye in the backyard.
The maids shrieked when she did it, exclaiming that she was ruining her finest gowns.
Cat had been too distraught to care, saying that there was no need for her to dress to please anyone again, even after her mourning concluded.
“I’m staying in this house forever!” she’d declared tearfully.
But of course she did need to leave the house, once the first, sharpest period of mourning passed. And by then she had only black to wear.
Frowning at her pale reflection in the mirror now, she pulled a wrap from her trunk.
This item must have been packed by mistake in the chaos of her sudden departure.
It was a soft cashmere in the lightest shade of shell pink, nearly white, and wildly inappropriate for mourning.
But it was the only wrap she could find, so she put it around her shoulders and hoped for the best.
She walked down the spiral stairs and through a few twisting passages until she found the great hall, almost by mistake. Luckily, the sound of voices led her forward, until she saw Thane standing by a massive fireplace, with a woman a few years older than he was.
“I didn’t know the hour for dinner,” Cat said, knowing she was interrupting yet unsure how else to begin.
Thane turned to her, and seemed about to say something. But then his eyes widened slightly as he took in her appearance. Was the use of a non-black wrap that shocking? Something in his face suggested that he was surprised by something.
There was a beat of awkward silence, broken by the woman.
“Ah, you must be Miss Ross!” The woman immediately came forward, extending both hands to take Cat’s own, as if they were long-lost friends.
“I’m Effie. Euphemia MacDonnell, though I used to be Euphemia MacPhearson, as I’m sure you’ve guessed.
Thane thought you’d appreciate having another woman around to speak to, for Thane and his ilk are not always the best of conversationalists!
Talk of sheep and oats and who’s gone to Inverness this month…
nothing to amuse a fine lady from Edinburgh. ”
Cat wasn’t sure how to respond to this onslaught of friendly chatter. “I am Catriona Ross, and I’m pleased to meet you. I hope I have not disturbed everyone’s routine too much.” Damn. That sounded far too formal.
Thane merely raised an eyebrow, since he already knew how much she’d disturbed everything.
But Effie actually enfolded her in an embrace. “Ach, never fear about that, poor darling! You’re here now, and we’re glad to have you. Aren’t we, Thane?” She shot a look at her brother.
“Delighted,” Thane muttered.
Effie had exactly the same color of eyes as Thane, but her gaze was kind and motherly, and she had a way of looking like she was always about to laugh, which was very disarming.
Throughout dinner—which began just after Cat appeared, making her think that she had indeed delayed the meal—Effie kept up the conversation with a level of skill that would have impressed Cat’s most demanding teachers of etiquette.
She told stories of things that had happened in the area while Thane had been gone, adding enough details for Cat to understand the import of certain names and events.
Effie also asked Cat more questions about herself, which Cat answered as politely as she could without telling too much…
the result being that she sounded aloof and cagey to her own ears.
Effie’s smile never faded, but she must have known that Cat was hiding something.
If only Cat knew how much Thane had told his sister!
They hadn’t a chance to talk privately since arriving, and Cat knew she’d have to speak with him tonight, if only to get their stories straight.
As the meal went on, Cat covertly watched the others in the hall.
Everyone dined more or less together, with only the locations of the tables to distinguish the higher family and guests from those who worked at the estate.
She couldn’t help but notice a voluptuous woman her own age.
She was wearing simple clothes, but her figure was stunning and she had the most amazing flaming hair.
There was no question as to who the most beautiful woman in the area was.
All the men kept looking at her, and she kept looking at Cat.
Cat didn’t get the sense that the other woman was jealous, exactly.
It was more the gaze of a lioness who was puzzled to find a sheep wandering so close to her den.
Cat would have to find out who she was, and if she could make trouble for Cat.
For example, by telling a stranger I’m here.
A stranger who might be trying to kill me.
She shook her head and focused her attention on her meal.
She was being silly. Thane and the other men moved her without any warning to a location that no one could possibly guess at, let alone reach very quickly.
She was surely safe here for quite a while, especially if she kept to herself and didn’t give anyone a reason to resent her presence.
So Cat nibbled dutifully at her food: mutton cooked to surprising tenderness and served in a rich brown gravy, a velvety mash of potatoes and turnips to sop up the extra gravy, and thick slices of rye bread that would have been a meal in itself.
Cat was happy to discover that her appetite was fully restored, and she managed to put away most of what was on her plate, though she refused any more, fearing to tempt fate.
Unlike formal dinners in the city, here there was no separation between men and women for the second half of the evening. If any man wanted to indulge in a smoke, he merely stepped outside and did so, rather than all the men lingering at the table while the ladies went to the drawing room.
Of course, here there wasn’t a drawing room, which also simplified things.
Hence Cat was able to walk up to Thane near the fireplace of the great hall, where padded benches and a few high-backed chairs were grouped.
“We should tell your sister the full truth,” she whispered.
“I thought we agreed it wasn’t a good idea to let anyone know.”
“She’s different. She’ll keep circumspect about it, won’t she?”
Thane looked uncertain. “Possibly, if I impress upon her the need for absolute discretion.”
“Have you told her anything?”
“Only a little. Really, just that you’re Brodie’s sister, and in need of a refuge.”
“I’m sure that only made her more curious.”
“That is certain,” Thane agreed. “Effie does like to know every little thing that happens in her domain. And I assure you that she definitely considers this place her domain, even though she no longer lives here.”
“It’s still her home,” Cat said softly.
Just then Effie walked up to them, asking, “What’s that?”
“Miss Ross was saying that you still think of this as your home.”
“Oh, aye, where one is born is always home. And until Thane marries, there’s not another lady to take up the mantle, so I shall play hostess when I need to.”
At the mention of marriage, Thane looked distinctly uncomfortable. “Good thing you play hostess well, Effie,” he muttered.
“Don’t rely on me too much,” Effie returned with a cheeky grin. “Once I’m surrounded by bairns and whatnot, I can’t just up and leave because you call!”
She laughed, but neither Cat nor Thane did. Thane said, “I appreciate your coming this time, Effie.”
“As do I,” Cat added hastily. “Without any warning, to boot. My aunt will be here soon, though, and you won’t have to chaperone me anymore.”
“Oh, it’s hardly a chore,” Effie said. “After all, I know Thane well, and you’re a sensible lass with no silly ideas in your head.”
“She’s got plenty of those,” Thane said. At Effie’s raised eyebrow, he added, “That is, about politics. Just ask her.”
Effie turned to Cat, who said, “What your brother is referring to is my belief that women should have a voice in politics, and the world at large. Which is not silly, but rather eminently fair and practical.” She glared at Thane, who just rolled his eyes.
Effie gave a delighted laugh. “Oh, my, this shall be fun! You’ll have to tell me all about your philosophy, Miss Ross.”
“Please do…when I’m not around,” Thane said.
“Then go,” Cat told him. “It is your castle, is it not? Prowl around it as you please if you cannot abide a spirited conversation about a vital topic.”
He seemed about to argue, but then visibly checked himself. “I’ve plenty of work to occupy me, so I’ll take myself to my study, where there’s plenty of whisky but no meddling women.”
Cat waved goodbye, to Effie’s amused laughter. Thane frowned at them both and then fled.
“Oh, my,” Effie said. “A more complete rout I’ve never seen. Are you certain you won’t consider him for a husband?”
“I wouldn’t consider him for a scullion,” Cat retorted. “And anyway, I refuse to marry at all. It disagrees with my philosophy.”
“Tell me more of that, Miss Ross. Of course, I’m already married, but I’d love to know what to tell my future daughters.”
So the ladies chatted, and Effie proved to be a much more sympathetic listener than Thane ever had. Good thing she shooed him out. Of course, Cat would have been more pleased with her victory if she hadn’t noticed the flame-haired beauty following Thane down the same hallway a few moments later.