recover. “I’ll guide you to the corner chair where the light is weakest,” she whispered. “We dinna want Henry to see how healthy you are.”
“Aye.” Colin clasped her shoulders and tried to look as if he depended upon her for support.
They made their slow way to the table, passing Henry who—for reasons known only to a boy’s mind—sat on Sorcha’s pallet, fiddling with one of the corners.
As she helped Colin sit, she called to the boy. “Henry, would you be kind enough to bring me the two quilts from my pallet?”
“I am happy to aid you and see to my brother’s comfort,” came the cheerful reply.
She took the quilts and practically swaddled Colin so that only his face and hands showed, while Henry occupied a seat on the opposite side of the table.
“Stop fussing, woman. I’m nae dying any longer.” Colin kept his voice faint but irritated. He actually enjoyed her fussing, for it forced her to touch him. However, much more touching, and even two blankets would not disguise his body’s lust.
“I’ll return as quickly as possible.”
“’Tis no need, Lady Sorcha,” said Henry. “Sir Broc will remain outside the door until I leave. If Brice tires, he will have plenty of help.”
She nodded. “Well enough.”
Colin prayed that Sorcha’s quick return would take a very long time. He had a great many questions to ask Henry and the last thing he needed was her interference.
• • •
Sorcha went to the kitchen and requested some stew, fresh bread, and a bowl of spiced cider.
“My lady, is th’ breakfast I sent wi’ Sir ’enry nae t’ th’ earl’s likin’?” the cook asked.
Sorcha smiled at the woman. “I’m certain the meal is satisfactory. I want the stew and bread for later. ’Tis nae good for my husband to have too many visitors. He’s just begun to recover. With the stew in a small pot, I’ll be able to keep it warm on the hob of the chamber’s hearth. Thus he may eat when he pleases, and no one need disturb his rest.”
“Very well, yer ladyship.” The cook gave orders for the tray to be assembled. “Would ye like some tea while ye wait, milady? I recall how you liked visitin’ th’ kitchens when you and Master Brice—beggin’ yer pardon, th’ earl—were courtin’. Though some may think differently, ’tis a right shame what happened, and glad I am that our clans will be at peace again. I’ll be able to visit my cousin who married a MacKai and lives in Dungarob Harbor.”
Clearly the woman wanted Sorcha to accept the invitation, so she settled onto a bench near the hearth. “Yes, I would like tea, thank you very much. Would you join me, please?”
The cook blinked. “If ye wish. I got some o’ them honey oatcakes ye loved when ye was last here.’”
“Those would be wonderful. I must visit the kitchens more often, since you know my preferences so well.”
“Happy I’d be t’ have ye, Lady Strathnaver. Yer maither-in-law never visits the kitchens.”
“Not even when her husband lived?”
The cook shook her head as she set out the cakes and plates, got mugs and prepared the tea. “Even now she sends orders through the chamberlain or summons me to the solar and only discusses meals and other kitchen work. Says she wishes to save you the trouble while th’ earl is ill.”
Sorcha pressed her lips together. She didna imagine for a moment that Lady Agnes gave orders to save Sorcha trouble and worry. The dowager would hold tight any authority she could grasp. The woman presumed much to order any of the staff in the stronghold. She was no longer countess and should have deferred decisions to Sorcha. The chamberlain was equally to blame. With his status and position, he should have known who his mistress was and acted accordingly.
“’Tis kind of my mother-in-law to want to ease my burdens. However, my husband is now beginning to recover, and I would have you and the other servants bring all stronghold concerns to me. Do you understand?”
The
“Aye.” Colin clasped her shoulders and tried to look as if he depended upon her for support.
They made their slow way to the table, passing Henry who—for reasons known only to a boy’s mind—sat on Sorcha’s pallet, fiddling with one of the corners.
As she helped Colin sit, she called to the boy. “Henry, would you be kind enough to bring me the two quilts from my pallet?”
“I am happy to aid you and see to my brother’s comfort,” came the cheerful reply.
She took the quilts and practically swaddled Colin so that only his face and hands showed, while Henry occupied a seat on the opposite side of the table.
“Stop fussing, woman. I’m nae dying any longer.” Colin kept his voice faint but irritated. He actually enjoyed her fussing, for it forced her to touch him. However, much more touching, and even two blankets would not disguise his body’s lust.
“I’ll return as quickly as possible.”
“’Tis no need, Lady Sorcha,” said Henry. “Sir Broc will remain outside the door until I leave. If Brice tires, he will have plenty of help.”
She nodded. “Well enough.”
Colin prayed that Sorcha’s quick return would take a very long time. He had a great many questions to ask Henry and the last thing he needed was her interference.
• • •
Sorcha went to the kitchen and requested some stew, fresh bread, and a bowl of spiced cider.
“My lady, is th’ breakfast I sent wi’ Sir ’enry nae t’ th’ earl’s likin’?” the cook asked.
Sorcha smiled at the woman. “I’m certain the meal is satisfactory. I want the stew and bread for later. ’Tis nae good for my husband to have too many visitors. He’s just begun to recover. With the stew in a small pot, I’ll be able to keep it warm on the hob of the chamber’s hearth. Thus he may eat when he pleases, and no one need disturb his rest.”
“Very well, yer ladyship.” The cook gave orders for the tray to be assembled. “Would ye like some tea while ye wait, milady? I recall how you liked visitin’ th’ kitchens when you and Master Brice—beggin’ yer pardon, th’ earl—were courtin’. Though some may think differently, ’tis a right shame what happened, and glad I am that our clans will be at peace again. I’ll be able to visit my cousin who married a MacKai and lives in Dungarob Harbor.”
Clearly the woman wanted Sorcha to accept the invitation, so she settled onto a bench near the hearth. “Yes, I would like tea, thank you very much. Would you join me, please?”
The cook blinked. “If ye wish. I got some o’ them honey oatcakes ye loved when ye was last here.’”
“Those would be wonderful. I must visit the kitchens more often, since you know my preferences so well.”
“Happy I’d be t’ have ye, Lady Strathnaver. Yer maither-in-law never visits the kitchens.”
“Not even when her husband lived?”
The cook shook her head as she set out the cakes and plates, got mugs and prepared the tea. “Even now she sends orders through the chamberlain or summons me to the solar and only discusses meals and other kitchen work. Says she wishes to save you the trouble while th’ earl is ill.”
Sorcha pressed her lips together. She didna imagine for a moment that Lady Agnes gave orders to save Sorcha trouble and worry. The dowager would hold tight any authority she could grasp. The woman presumed much to order any of the staff in the stronghold. She was no longer countess and should have deferred decisions to Sorcha. The chamberlain was equally to blame. With his status and position, he should have known who his mistress was and acted accordingly.
“’Tis kind of my mother-in-law to want to ease my burdens. However, my husband is now beginning to recover, and I would have you and the other servants bring all stronghold concerns to me. Do you understand?”
The
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