Read Online Adrienne Basso by How to Be a Scottish Mistress - Free Book Online Page B

bristled as her cheeks heated. She had hardly been a welcomed guest at her brother’s keep, but at least she had been spared any open scorn by his servants. It hurt to be so quickly judged, yet if she was going to live here, she’d have to find a way to endure.
    The earl’s expression hardened. “I expect ye to see to her every comfort, Hamish. Is that understood?”
    “Aye.”
    The servant drew himself up. Understood perhaps, but obviously not agreed upon. While Fiona was glad the earl attempted to save her dignity by giving her a chamber of her own, he would not be able to force his people to show her respect.
    “What will become of the men who accompanied me here?” she asked when Hamish departed.
    “They will be told that ye and yer son are remaining here, as my honored guests.”
    “Sir George will want to hear the news directly from my lips.”
    To her surprise, the earl nodded approvingly. “Any soldier worth his salt would do the same.” The earl cast her a mischievous grin she found so out of character, she nearly missed hearing his next question. “Do ye wish to write Sir George a note? I can send fer parchment and a quill?”
    Fiona smiled. “I would gladly compose a missive, but alas Sir George cannot read. In any event, I owe him the courtesy of releasing him from my service.” Fiona paused as a new thought struck. “Unless you would consider allowing him to stay? He is a landless knight with great skill and experience and a credit to any lord he serves.”
    The earl grimaced. “My allies will tolerate a great deal, but I doubt they will understand the presence of an English knight in my garrison.”
    “Better in your garrison than fighting outside your walls.”
    “It will take more than a few of King Edward’s puny knights to breach my walls. He learned that well enough last year.”
    Fiona’s blood chilled. “Edward laid siege to your castle?”
    “He tried. But surrender took far longer than he anticipated. Thankfully, an early frost and a biting winter wind sent him back across the border.” The earl met her gaze unflinchingly. “He might try it again in a few weeks, as he marches north, though the Bruce is his true quest. Word has it that he plans to capture and punish him once and for all.”
    Fiona blanched and alarm flared through her. This was one complication she had not considered. Having experienced the brutality of battle firsthand, she was not eager to once again be a part of the fray.
    Almost as if reading her mind, the earl asked, “Are ye sure ye want to stay?”
    A flash of indecision seized her. She had made her decision. And yet . . . “The castle appears to be well fortified, with strong outer walls that can withstand a significant attack.”
    “They’ve never been breached,” the earl replied.
    His words were not spoken boastfully, but rather with a reassuring confidence that offered Fiona some comfort. Still. “There are other ways to gain entry inside a castle,” she pointed out.
    The earl’s eyes flashed with resentment at the implication. “My people are loyal. There’ll be no one opening the gates in the middle of the night.”
    She forced her rapid heartbeat to slow. “I pray you are right, my lord. For I am entrusting you with the safety of myself and my son.”
    Out of the corner of her eye Fiona caught a movement. A pair of serving women passed near them, their expressions openly curious. Fiona then noticed that quite a few others had drifted back to the hall and decided some silent signal must have been given. There were a few soldiers, though none she recognized. And a contingent of women that grew steadily in size. The whispering among them increased and they didn’t bother to hide their efforts to overhear her conversation with the earl.
    “No harm will come to ye while ye’re under my roof,” the earl insisted.
    The whispers from their growing audience grew louder, along with the resentful looks. In a way, Fiona could not fault the