Read Online Highland Scandal by Mageela Troche - Free Book Online Page B

asked, “Is there anything for us to do to waste away the hours?”
    “I have seen to the meal. I have helped prepare the meat for the winter stores. The ale and wine are accounted for. The children are eating, so there shall be some quiet for a while. I have mending that needs to be seen to and garrison rolls requiring attention.”
    As if hearing the Lairdess, servants entered and began setting up table for the midday meal.
    “Do you think the men will return from their hunt?”
    “So you can have something besides mending to divert your attention?”
    “You have found me out. Lead me to it.”
    Fate had taken pity on Rowen and Father Murray entered the great hall. Rain dripped from his holy garments and a puddle spread about his feet. The poor man resembled a sparrow after a bath. A twinge twisted Rowen’s chest. She wished for the kind man to be anywhere but within these stonewalls. His presence blared a reminder that she was to marry in days.
    “Oh, Father, please warm yourself. I will see to your chamber.” Ailsa shoved Sioda in Rowen’s arms, and then hurried to see to his needs.
    Father Murray stood before the fire. He rubbed his hands together, and then held them out so the warmth would return to his extremities. Rowen poured the man usige beatha and handed it to him.
    He accepted it with a grateful nod and raised it to his mouth. He closed his eyes and sighed.
    The kind priest smiled at her. His avuncular eyes landed on Rowen. “You appear happy.” Father Murray shook his arms, sending water flying off the wool.
    “Aye, I do appear as such.”
    He turned his benevolent face upon her. Rowen busied herself by bouncing Sioda on her knee. Sioda smiled, revealing her pink gums as drool spilled from her mouth.
    “Then you shall be.”
    Rowen nodded since he seemed to be waiting for a reply, or at the very least an acknowledgement. She lowered her head to hide her innermost thoughts, fearful Father Murray could see into her. He was not an ignorant man. He knew of the love between Lachlan and herself. And she was in no mood to hear another speak to her of duty. She knew her duty—wed, be fruitful, and raise the family’s position.
    “Father,”—she glanced about the hall—“what if I am not happy? What if I do my duty and have no earthly reward?”
    He set the empty cup down on a stool. “Rowen, it may seem as if you do not have a choice, but you do. You can make the most of your life and seek out those moments of happiness instead of spending your days pondering a life that is not what the Lord has set for you.”
    “Do you truly believe it to be so simple?”
    “Only you shall make it a hardship. Temptation makes life difficult, showing you another life, but if that choice was meant for you, then it would come to be.”
    “If I were…”
    “At the risk of many lives. You are not that selfish.”
    Ailsa swept in. “Father, your chamber is ready.” She escorted him to the castle stairs. “A fire is roaring and I have some nice usige beatha to warm your bones.”
    A gust of wind blew in from the opening of the great hall’s door. Laird MacLean and Murray came in, followed by Caelen and Eacharn. Their jovial voices rose as they spoke over each other, adding to the events of the hunt. Lachlan wasn’t there.
    “How went the hunt?”
    Eacharn hurried to her. Rain dripped from his hair and ran down his face, where it dripped off the tip of his nose. He hunched down and wagged a thick finger at Sioda. “It was a triumph. There is enough meat to have a dozen feasts. I wish you had joined us. How was your day?”
    She caught the scent of blood, mud, and wet wool. “It was filled with excitement. I was captured and ransomed for apple tarts. It was that or a thousand rubies.”
    “Rubies…hmm, are the apple tarts delicious?” His mouth twitched.
    “Aye, there are the best on this earth.” For some reason, she fell under his easy spell. He was a kind man and she had an easy interaction with him.