The Highlander's Enchantment Page 22

She considered staying right here for the rest of her life, but that would only show whoever had done this that they could beat her. And they couldn’t. She wouldn’t allow it!

  Luckily for her, whoever had decided to take in all of her gowns had not removed Blair’s own sewing kit from the chest against the wall. She pulled out her needle, thread and thimble and set to work on the blue gown. She only had time for one gown if she was going to make it to the kirk in time for Mass before breaking her fast. She would have to do the rest later.

  Blair worked as fast as she could, not caring for the beauty of her stitches like she normally did, and rather only for function. If she didn’t come down in time, she’d have to explain why, and that would only give whoever had pulled this trick something to laugh over when they saw her absent. Anger boiled inside her, and she missed the gown, stabbing her finger. A bright droplet of red pooled on her fingertip, jolting her from her angry thoughts.

  When she finished, rather than replacing her sewing kit in the chest, she hid it in the back of the wardrobe in Edan’s chamber just in case someone took it upon themselves to look. No one would dare go rifling through the laird’s things.

  She tossed the rest of the gowns into the wardrobe and tightened the laces on the blue gown from behind, a trick she and her sisters had learned when they were little to dress faster and not have to wait for their maids to go play. Truth be told, it had been Greer who’d taught them all the trick because she so often wished to sneak from the nursery chamber to eavesdrop on others.

  With her hair freshly coiled into a plaited knot at the nape her neck, Blair pasted a cheerful smile on her face that felt as much of a lie as it was. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, Willa was there, looking surprised to see her.

  “Oh, my lady, a lovely choice of blue today. I wasna expecting to see ye. The laird sent me to wake ye. I’m ever so sorry I wasna there to help ye get ready.”

  “Dinna fash yourself, Willa,” Blair said. “I’m plenty capable of getting ready on my own.”

  “Aye, my lady, but ye’re mistress of Kilravock and the lady of the castle—”

  “’Tis quite all right,” Blair said, not wanting to bring attention to herself and her gowns any more. “Where is my husband?”

  “He awaits ye in the great hall, my lady.”

  Blair found Edan in the great hall, leaning an elbow on the hearth as he stared at the flames. He was all alone, the hall surprisingly empty of people. Just the sight of him, tall and lithe and powerful, took her breath away. His hair looked windswept, as though he’d just gone for a ride, and there was color on his face giving credence to that same line of thought. He was striking, mesmerizing. The breadth of his shoulders was the stuff of heroic tales, not to mention the corded muscles that bulged in the sleeves of his leine and the taut curve of his calves, visible in plaid and boots.

  “My laird,” she said quietly, crossing the great hall toward him.

  Edan turned to her with a devastating smile that had her steps faltering. He lurched forward, catching her as she fell against him, a laugh escaping her lips. Lord, she was clumsy around him.

  “Are ye all right?” he murmured.

  “Would ye believe me if I said your smile caused me to trip?”

  Merriment danced in his gaze, and she only had eyes for him. How was it possible this man had the ability to take her breath away again and again?

  “Ye’ll give me a big head.”

  “Well, in that case, I shall keep it a secret.” She righted herself, smoothing a hand down her skirts.

  “How did ye sleep?” He swept his gaze over her face, her body. As he roamed down the length of her, Blair felt the heat of his stare fuel desire inside her, desire that was mirrored in his eyes.

  “The best sleep I’ve ever had,” she murmured.

  “Me as well.”

  She wanted to suggest they go back upstairs and sleep some more, but she knew that with all that needed to be done, to ask would be improper. Already, the castle had to be abuzz with how they’d confiscated the kitchens after having spent the entire day locked up in their chamber. Perhaps that was the reason for the cruel trick of taking in her gowns.

  “What is wrong?” Edan asked, his brows furrowing.

  Blair worked to swipe the emotions from her face. “Nothing, why?”

  “Ye got quiet. And ye’re frowning.”

  She wanted to press her finger to the wrinkle between his brows and smooth it out.

  “Och.” She waved her hand, letting out a fake laugh she hoped he didn’t pick up on. “I was merely wondering if anyone might have fed Bluebell her breakfast.”

  “We can go and see.”

  “Thank ye, but it can wait until after Mass. I dinna want to keep everyone waiting.”

  “When ye didna come down right away, I told Father Thomas to give blessings to the clan and we’d join him after.”

  “Oh.” What would they think of her now? Nay! She had to stop worrying about that. If Edan had given his blessing, all would be well. Even still…the longer she kept away from normal tasks, the greater the divide would grow between her and the people.

  “Ye’re disappointed.”

  “Nay,” she lied. “I dinna want to keep everyone from their day.” And that was true. She only wished she’d been able to sew faster, then they’d be at the kirk with everyone right now.

  “They will thank ye for not making them wait, lass. Spring is full of long, hard days of work.”

  Blair latched on to that. “I wish to help.”

  Edan glanced at her in horror. “In the fields?”

  Blair shrugged. “I am not unaccustomed to working.”

  “Your da had ye in the fields?” Edan looked appalled.

  Blair cracked a small smile. “On harvest days, we often went to the fields to help. My da believes in one clan, and everyone helping the clan to thrive.”

  A light shone in her husband’s gaze them. “That is an incredible idea. I admire your father for being such an excellent leader. Then we shall go and help one day, too.”

  Blair’s smile widened. “Your people will love ye for it.”

  “I will let them know they’ve ye to thank.” He stroked her cheek, and she leaned into his touch.

  “I need no gratitude.” But it wouldn’t hurt for them to realize she was one of them, and she had their best interests at heart.

  Blair couldn’t help but wonder if a lot of the prejudice against her was that they truly believed her brother was responsible for the murder of their laird. Part of her aim was for them to see that she and her family were kind, trustworthy. It was going to take a lot of work, she knew. But Blair was not afraid of work. She’d spent her whole life striving for perfection and applying herself in this manner would be no different than any of the other tasks she’d taken on.

  At home, Blair was the peacemaker, too. She always had a kind and encouraging word for those around her. And yet here at Kilravock, it seemed she was doing everything but making peace. In fact, right now all she wanted to do was scream and rant at whoever had decided to destroy her dresses. If she ever found out who it was… It would be best to kill them with kindness and ignore their cruelties. To get to the bottom of why they would treat her thusly and solve the issue.

  Edan lifted her hand to his arm and guided her out of the keep, down the stone front stairs into the bailey and across the way to the stable.

  As they passed those in the keep, Blair smiled and inclined her head to every person she saw, even if they avoided eye contact. She wanted to make good connections, as well as search out their faces for anyone who might stare at her gown a little too long, but she found no one. Either they were all very good at hiding their guilt, or none of them were the culprits of such a cruel jest.

  She suspected it had to have happened when she and Edan were in the kitchens. They’d been there for hours, and it would have taken that long to do it, likely with more than one person, too.

  When they entered, the stable mas
ter greeted them as he directed the hands to mucking out the stables and feeding the horses.

  “Your wee lamb has made many friends,” he said.

  “That is delightful.” Blair clapped her hands with excitement.

  The stable master grinned. “Aye. Slept with a few lads last night, and she’s already partnered up with his lairdship’s warhorse this morning. She’s a flirt, she is.”

  “Och, dinna sully her reputation,” Blair teased back.

  At the sound of her voice, Bluebell came trotting around the corner with an excited bleat.

  Blair squatted to wrap her soft lamb in her arms and pressed a kiss to her nose.

  “We’re taking good care of her, my lady,” the stable master said. “Soon she’ll be ruling the stable alongside me.”

  Blair laughed at that; certain Bluebell would indeed take up that position.

  “I’ll have an extra jug of whisky delivered to ye for our thanks,” Edan said. “Ye deserve it for making my wife happy, and her wee lamb.”

  “I’d do it without the whisky, but all the same, I’ll be happy to accept.”

  Edan clapped the man on the shoulder, and then led Blair to the kirk, where Father Thomas waited on the front steps, looking nervous.

  “Father,” Edan said.

  “Laird Rose. My lady.” He bowed his head but did not step aside for them to enter.

  “I’m obliged to hear your bride’s confession afore allowing entry.” The man shuffled on his feet, shifting his eyes nervously.

  Blair felt a knot growing in her belly, having an idea of what this was about—one of the many sins the womenfolk of Clan Rose seemed to think her guilty of.

  Edan stiffened beside her, and she could fairly feel the anger rolling off of him. “Ye’ll allow us entry into my kirk, or I’ll have ye sent away and another priest in your place.”

  “My laird…I must hear the lady’s confession.”

  “Ye mean your lady, my wife, Lady Blair Rose. Never refer to her as the lady again.”

  “Apologies, my laird, but she’s not given her confession.”

  By now, Blair’s face was so blazing hot, she was certain it resembled a stain of blood on her cheeks. Those in the vicinity of the kirk had slowed their movements in order to better hear and see what was happening.

  “Ye tread on dangerous ground, Priest,” Edan growled.

  “’Tis all right,” Blair said softly, squeezing Edan’s arm. “He is right, I have not yet given my confession to him, and I would be more than happy to do so.”

  Father Thomas nodded warily.

  “Where should ye like to hear my confession if ye’ll not allow me inside?” Blair continued.

  “He’ll hear it inside the kirk without argument,” Edan growled.

  Father Thomas reluctantly agreed, and Blair followed him inside, feeling like the greatest of sinners when she knew the sins on her conscience were mild compared to others. As she followed him into the dimly lit kirk, she couldn’t help but wonder what rumors had been placed in his ears for him to offer her a less-than-welcoming greeting.

  The priest took her to the pew in the front of the kirk. He sat on the bench, bidding her kneel before him, which she did without argument.

  He said a prayer, crossing himself, and then bid her give him her confession.

  “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It’s been several days since my last confession. The day of my wedding to be exact.” She bit her lip and then drew in a deep, steadying breath, trying to prepare herself to speak her sins aloud to a man of the cloth, who would no doubt judge her harshly given his predetermined notions of her tarnished soul. “I am guilty of lust, Father. For when I look upon my husband, I…I think of things no woman should.”

  “What things?” His tone was bland, surprisingly without judgement.

  Blair’s eyes widened as she stared at the priest’s feet. She couldn’t answer that… Yet he prompted her again. “I think of him…without clothes.”

  “Go on.”

  This was humiliating… “And myself without clothes.”

  “Ah, ye speak of the marriage bed.” The man sounded almost relieved.

  “Aye, Father.” She too was relieved, but only because he’d not made her go into more detail.

  “Did ye have these thoughts afore ye wed?”

  “Nay.” Saints! That was a lie! She’d just lied to the priest. Perhaps she could find solace in her lustful thoughts and that Edan had been clothed when she’d imagined him kissing her…

  “Did ye share your body with your husband before ye wed?”

  “Nay, Father.”

  “What other sins have ye committed?”

  Blair’s hands shook, and she kept them folded tightly in her lap. “I wished ill on the person who took my lamb to slaughter.”

  “Wished ill?”

  “Aye.”

  “Death?”

  “Nay!” She startled, looking up at him, suddenly realizing exactly what the women must have told him. That she was responsible for Edan’s brother’s death, that she was a harlot. “I am not a murderer or a contemplator of such things. Nor am I a whore, Father.”

  He crossed himself, avoided meeting her gaze, and then he crossed her, too. “Those who wish ill on others, be it causing death or harm, are sinners. Pray that no injury comes to anyone, else the blame will be on your head, and the fires of Hell will be your eternal resting place.” He barely paused to take a breath as he continued. “A woman’s place is not to enjoy the marriage bed, but to provide children. Ye must serve a penance. Ten Hail Marys. Abstain from meat for three days, and when your husband demands his rights, close your eyes and think of God.”

  Rather than feel absolved from her confession, Blair felt…worse. As though she were a demon seed corrupting Edan with the pleasure they’d both shared. As though she’d actually been the one to harm the old laird when she’d never even met him. She swallowed hard, waiting for the priest to rise before she did. A moment later, Edan was there beside her, his large warm hand engulfing her own. They faced the front of the kirk, both kneeling on a cushion, but she heard none of what was said. Only the pounding of her heart and the fear that she might actually be wicked.

  By the time they left the morning mass, Blair was so quiet, still and solemn that Edan had grown quite concerned.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked as they walked out of the stone chapel. “What did he say to ye?”

  She smiled meekly at him and shook her head. “I’m just in my own world today, I’m sorry. Let us break our fast, and then I’ve some things I need to get to today.”

  “Aye, me as well.”

  But still, something wasn’t sitting well with him, and no matter how many times he asked, she didn’t elaborate. They ate their lukewarm porridge in silence, and when the meal ended, she begged he excuse her and rushed from the great hall without waiting for his reply.

  Something had happened with the priest; he’d bet coin on it. And whatever it was had left her feeling less than herself.

  He wanted the lively, teasing woman back. Edan sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. One of the women servants came and cleared away his breakfast. He waited until he no longer could for Blair to appear once more, but she did not.

  There were missives to read, judgments to render, men to be trained and crofters to be spoken to about the harvest. He planned to make good on his promise for them to help out as Blair wanted.

  When he stood, there was a commotion coming from the kitchens. Not exactly shouting, but most definitely raised voices that drew his concern. As he edged closer, he could hear the soft-spoken words of his wife, though what she said was indiscernible.

  Cook, however, was going on about meatless meals and that it was absurd to expect the lot of them to eat no meat for three days.

  “I wish to abstain from meat, Cook. I’m not asking ye to have meals prepared for everyone that are without, only mine.” Blair spoke with dignity and in a quiet, soothing tone that wa
s meant to stroke egos, but seemed to be doing the opposite for Cook.

  “Ye have brought your strange customs upon this house. How can I serve ye different meals than everyone else? ’Twould be like saying ye dinna like my cooking.”

  “It is not that at all, and perhaps it would be best then if my meals were served in my chamber.”

  “No meat for three days?” This was the voice of Agnes. “Only one reason ye’d be asking about that.”

  Edan cocked his head in curiosity. He really should make his presence known, but he wanted to see how his wife faired with her people—just as she’d requested.

  “What’s that?” Cook asked, sounding incredulous.

  “She’s been given a penance. A lusty penance.” Agnes sounded rather smug, but what shocked Edan was the round of hissing he heard amongst those in the kitchen.

  The hissing stopped, followed by a moment of silence. Edan couldn’t help but wonder if he’d missed something; perhaps his wife killing them all with one glower.

  But then she spoke again, her voice full of calm pride. “Aye, I have been handed a penance. Penance for wanting my husband. And if desiring to extend the line of Rose men by growing a bairn in my belly is something I should be punished for, then so be it. It is far less a sin than what I have been dealt by the lot of ye. Prejudice, unkindness, cruelty. Since the moment of my arrival, ye have made it clear that I am unwelcome and undeserving, and through no fault of my own, for I have only showed ye kindness and tried to know ye better. Ye may wish to be rid of me, but I’m not going anywhere.”

  Edan wanted to rush in then, to scoop her in his arms and flog every last one of them. These were the rumors that Willa had told Raibert about, the ones Blair had tried to make out as nothing. He couldn’t stand for it. Wouldn’t. Aye, she’d given them a piece of her mind, but he needed to add to it.

  But as he stepped forward, Blair appeared before him, bumping into him, her shaking hands on his chest. Blue eyes brimmed with tears, and her face was flushed.

  “My laird,” she said, clearly embarrassed, but also loud enough to let those in the kitchen know that their interaction with her had been overheard. The collective gasp and scurrying of feet as they made quick work of returning to their duties echoed in the dark corridor.