Page 18 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander
“Olivia is right. Now, come on. If ye want the best cuts of meat, ye’re goin’ to have to hurry,” Eileen urged as she hurried to get Melody out of her frayed, tattered clothes.
Astrid stepped back and watched as they dressed Melody.
“Look, MAstrid. What do ye think?” Melody asked as she spun around.
Astrid couldn’t help but smile at her. She couldn’t believe how much the little girl resembled her mother. Sometimes, it felt like looking into the past.
“Well, I think ye are the loveliest of them all,” Astrid cooed. “Now, are ye ready?”
“And just where do ye think ye’re goin’? We werenae just talkin’ about yer wee one here. The men downstairs are brutes—dinnae let them convince ye otherwise. Ye’ll need something a bit… well, more,” Eileen said as she tossed a dress to Astrid.
The mossy green reminded Astrid of the necklace her sister always wore. The emerald in the center had always caught her eye.
For a moment, Astrid could see her sister wearing such a lovely dress.
“Och, nay, I didnae agree to that. I let ye have yer way wit’ Melody, but I dinnae want to owe the Laird any more than I already do,” she said, refusing the dress.
“Ye poor thing,” Olivia gasped, clapping a hand over her mouth as her eyes widened. “Have ye never kenned a lick of kindness in yer life? We dinnae expect anything. The dress is a gift—a sorely needed one. Ye cannae expect to be taken seriously in what ye’re wearin’. Now, come on and let’s get on wit’ it.”
Astrid didn’t have a chance, not with Eileen blocking the door and Olivia determined to give her a makeover.
Begrudgingly, she took off her old clothes. Just as soon as they hit the floor, Eileen was there to collect them and toss them into the fire. The fabric went up in flames as if it were made of wood.
“There,” Olivia said as Astrid smoothed the wrinkles from her new dress and Eileen tied up the back. “Now, doesnae that feel a little better? We’ll make sure that a basin is brought in so ye can clean up. I’m sure ye’re dyin’ to wash yer hair. But we’ve wasted enough time. If we dinnae leave now, we might as well nae eat at all.”
“We understand, ye’re famished,” Eileen drawled purposefully. “What are ye waitin’ for, then? The door is there.”
“Ye look pretty, Astrid,” Melody whispered as she slipped her small hand into Astrid’s.
Giving Melody a reassuring squeeze, Astrid nodded her head toward the door. “Thank ye, but I think ye look prettier. Now, are ye hungry? I think we might actually be able to have some scraps,” she said as she followed Eileen and Olivia out of the room.
As they walked, Eileen pointed out the various rooms. There was the library with more books than Astrid could count. Although she did not enjoy reading books, she couldn’t help but be impressed with the collection. Melody’s eyes widened as they passed the study and the drawing room.
Continuing down the long corridor, delightful scents wafted toward them, taunting and teasing Astrid’s senses. Her stomach growled, and her mouth watered. She could smell the honey cake and roast boar. Each scent was more delicious than the last.
Astrid wished she could take off running and gorge herself on whatever food was there. But she held back. She had to at least make a good example for Melody.
“Och, that’s nice,” Melody said, her eyes rolling to the back of her head. The child had yet to taste the food and she was already enjoying it. “Do ye think we’ll be able to eat any of it?”
“Of course, ye will,” Eileen assured her, her brow furrowed with confusion. “Why wouldnae ye? If ye’re under the Laird’s protection, then ye get to enjoy his food too. Ye’ll nae find asingle person in Clan McFair who is hungry or in need. We help each other around here and see that everyone’s needs are met. And that includes ye now as well.”
Melody’s eyes lit up as she tried to contain her excitement. As they rounded the corner and stepped into the Great Hall, the wonderful scent of treats and roasted meat became almost irresistible.
“Why don’t I help ye make a plate? And then we’ll find ye a place to sit,” Olivia suggested.
Astrid had seen the Great Hall at Chalium Castle before, and it wasn’t nearly as impressive as this one.
“Are ye nae hungry?” Eileen asked when Astrid put only a small piece of toast on her plate. “We werenae lyin’ when we said ye can have as much as ye want. Eat to yer heart’s content.”
“Thank ye,” Astrid managed as she followed behind Melody, who was making a beeline for the roasted meat.
“Of course,” Eileen said with a bubbly smile.
A hush fell over the hall as Astrid piled more food on her plate. All eyes swiveled to the door. She turned to see the Laird walk into the hall, his presence commanding respect.
“Speak of the devil and he shall appear. But ye’ve already met Thomas, I’m sure. It’s Reid ye have to watch out for,” Eileenexplained. “He can be a bit much. And if ye dinnae ken what I’m talkin’ about, just wait. He’ll be around here soon enough.”
Astrid nodded her head, but she wasn’t really listening. It wasn’t Reid who had caught her attention, but Thomas as he passed them. A tingling sensation began at the top of her head and traveled down to her toes. She could feel his eyes on her as he walked by. As much as she wanted to look at him, she knew that one glimpse of him would unravel her.
