Page 63 of The Winter Laird

They walked the perimeter of the outer wall, looking for any weaknesses in the stonework that needed tending. Nioclas had instructed his guardsmen to watch from the battlements rather than follow him around in a giant circle so their conversation wouldn’t be overheard. Upon learning that Donovan had news to impart, Nioclas thought it wise to keep all others at bay.

Donovan nodded, rubbing his hand on his forehead. “According to the guards, aye, most of them. The elders who were sleeping in the great hall each have a chamber for him and his wife. The very elderly have rooms all together, and she’s given tasks to a small group of women she calls nurses. Those women—the nurses—care for the elderly clansfolk. It’s their only duty to the castle.”

“By the saints,” Nioclas replied, bewildered.

Aidan gave a low whistle. “We never thought to do that, but think of what that could mean! We’ve always prided ourselves on our respect for the elders, and the elderly. She’s ensured their health needs are met, while providing them comfort and protection within the castle walls. Their children will see this and understand that if they leave our clan, they won’t find such treatment anywhere else. And instead of looking outside the clan to marry, they’d marry within it. Stay with the clan.”

“Grow the clan,” Donovan corrected. “It has long-reaching influences. Perhaps her intelligence is even more than O’Malley claims.”

“Perhaps,” Nioclas murmured, his mind reeling. “I wonder if the clan knows she did this on her own, without my knowledge.”

“I don’t trust her,” Donovan replied, “but if she continues to prove herself worthy of a laird, I could be persuaded to think otherwise.”

Nioclas shook his head. “I’ve told you many times, Maguire. She is no threat to me. She was held in my sire’s oubliette. I do not believe any woman would be willing to spend any amount of time in one of those, for any price.”

“Perhaps she is just a pawn in a larger game.”

“Perhaps.”

“Tell me that’s why you’re allowing O’Malley to stay,” Aidan said darkly. “I loathe that man.”

“He may be of use to you one day,” Nioclas said mildly, squatting to inspect a crack at the foundation of the east wall. He made a note on the parchment he carried. “O’Malley may or may not be the enemy, but Bri trusts him completely. That alone warrants a careful look at his past.”

“What have you discovered?” Donovan asked.

“Little,” Nioclas admitted. “The MacDermotts had never heard of him, but the O’Malleys are a large clan. I’ve yet to have any scout return with any information about him. All have returned with the same story—he could be a part of the clan, he could be someone else entirely.”

“That’s a poorly-run clan,” Aidan muttered.

“The O’Malleys certainly won’t tell us anything directly,” Nioclas pointed out. “We’re not exactly allies.”

“We’re not exactly enemies, either,” Aidan shot back, “butthisO’Malley may just change all that.”

“Is there anything else I should be aware of, before we return?” Nioclas asked, turning back to Donovan.

“The nurses are only the start of it. She’s appointed almost all the women in the castle to specific tasks, with one woman acting as chief to the task.” Donovan shrugged. “I noticed it first with the laundry. Two women gathered the linens and clothing, two different women were washing them, and two more were hanging them to dry in the gardens. All of them informed the same woman of their progress for the day when they’d completed the task.”

“Very strange,” Nioclas murmured.

“Aye, but the results seem to be positive. I have not one flea in my bed, and my sweet lady wife is enamored with freshly washed linens each day. It seems like a waste of wash water.”

“Perhaps not,” Aidan replied, considering. “The wash water is poured into the basin each day, no matter if a single pair of hose needs cleaning or an entire castle full of bed linens. By washing all that they can find, that lessens the amount of water used over a longer period of time.”

“Fascinating.” Donovan shook his head. “How does she know to do these things?”

“I’ve no idea,” Nioclas replied, bemused. “But she did it all without my knowledge.”

“Are your wee wife’s demands bothering you?” Donovan teased. “To her credit, I haven’t seen any clan member just standing in the great hall.”

“Everyone seems to be doing something all the time,” Aidan agreed. “If you had to be saddled with a woman, you’re rather lucky fate saddled you with such as she.”

“Very,” Nioclas repeated, his thoughts jumbling in his head. A guardsman whistled, and he nodded briskly. “Back to the castle, lads. I’ve yet to tell you the news from MacDermott, and it involves swords.”

“It’s been too quiet around here,” Aidan said, bouncing on his heels. “I imagined the peace couldn’t last forever.”

“Nay,” Nioclas replied heavily. “It could not.”

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