Page 28 of Kilty Plea
Brace herself? But the woman smiling down at them was regal, and poised, and elegant. Everything Florawasn’t. Why would she need to—
“Payton,sugarplum, ye’re home! At last!” the lady declared, pushing her expensive cloak out of the way to reach out her arms to her youngest son. “Oh, I’ve missed ye so much! Ye must promise no’ to stay away so long, baby bear! Look at ye—grown another inch at least!”
As Payton lifted her into his arms, she continued her monologue, without giving him a chance to respond. “And I see the King is feeding ye well enough, bless him. Are ye well? We’ll have ye fattened up in nae time! Put me down, my wee cub, and give me a kiss.”
Payton obediently lowered her to her feet—shewastaller than Flora, but not by much—and placed a kiss on her offered cheek, only to have his shoulder swatted good-naturedly as the woman pulled him in for another hug.
“Och, ‘tisso goodto have ye back at last! And none of this running off again as soon as the holiday is over, with claims the King needs ye. His Majesty can do without ye for a month or two—aye, I said it, Pay-pay, dinnae argue with me, a month or two! Ye can see to yer family and yer holdings and oh, heavens, this is just so wonderful to have ye here, my little sweetmeat!”
“Aye, Mam,” Payton said with a straight face, as he allowed himself to be pulled up the stairs and into the castle. The look he shot over his shoulder at Flora saidSee?
His mother continued to chatter—and call him adorably ridiculous names—all the way into the great hall. When she finally halted and began calling for servants to fetch her husband and the rest of the family, Flora breathed out a sigh of relief.
She’d been trailing behind Payton, trying not to be overwhelmed, and uncertain where she should go and what she should do. She wasn’t a guest here, not exactly. Not whenshe’dbeen the one to force her presence on him. ‘Twould likely be best to slip away to the servants’ quarters and beg for a crust of bread and a corner to curl up in, but the heat from the huge hearth in the center of the great hall was ducking close to intoxicating.
A few more minutes…
“Someone fetch the steward! I want a runner sent to the tower house calling Daniel home. Puir lad, he’s desperate to have his own congregation, and will be pleased to turn the responsibilities over to ye once more—at least two months home this time, Pay-pay, dinnae dare to deny yer mother this!” She waggled a finger under her son’s nose. “Och, there’s Anna! Anna, Payton’s finally home. Honeybear, ye remember yer sister-in-law, Lady Anna? And my favorite grandson Simon, is he no’ adorable!” Under her breath she muttered, “Anna’s increasing again, say naught about food in her presence. Simon, dumpling, come to Nanny!”
Lady MacIntyre had finally stopped talking long enough to take a breath, so Payton grabbed her by the hand afore she could reach for the toddler. “Mam, I ken I’ll see everyone at the meal tonight. For now, we’d like to get cleaned up, aye?”
For the first time, his motherandsister-in-law switched their attention to Flora, who shrank a little at the scrutiny. She hadn’t expectedPaytonto draw attention to her.
Lady MacIntyre’s gaze lingered on Flora’s skinny calves, visible beneath her borrowed, too-short woolen gown which should have been cut up for scraps years ago. “Why are ye no’ wearing shoes, lassie? Are those rags tied to yer feet? Why are the rags tied to yer feet? Who are ye, and why are ye with my son?”
Lady Anna bounced her bairn and rolled her eyes. “Agnes, let the wench speak. Clearly Payton has brought home his paramour and expects ye to house her.”
His mother was already nodding—and Flora flushing in embarrassment—when Payton introduced her. “Mam, Anna, this is Flora. Flora, my mother, Lady Agnes MacIntyre, and my aulder brother’s wife, Lady Anna.”
Flora did her best to curtsey, given the brevity of the sack she wore. She kept her gaze down and hoped she could escape before the ladies made further assumptions.
Lady MacIntyre didn’t acknowledge the greeting, but merely clucked at her son. “Is Anna right, sugarplum? Ye brought yer lover home with ye for Hogmanay? And ye couldnae even bother buying her shoes, much less a dress which doesnae look as if it belongs on a donkey? Ye thought to shame our household such?” She sighed hugely but didn’t give him a chance to say aught before she waved her hand dismissively. “And I suppose ye’ll want to share a chamber with her, which is good, because we dinnae have extra space, what with yer brother and yer sister Clare’s family—”
“Mam,” Payton interrupted, “Flora is my wife.”
‘Twas almost gratifying to see the way the woman’s mouth dropped open, for once not a single sound emerging. And one day, Flora knew she would pull out that memory and hold it up to the light and truly examine it, treasure it.
For now, however, she was busy staring, agape, at Payton as well.
He’d called her hiswife.
He’d announced it in front of his mother, his family,everyone.
She was already shaking her head when he reached out and took her hand, pulling her gently up against him and tucking her into his side.
And Flora still hadn’t managed to draw a full breath.
He’d claimed her. Ashis. When he didn’t believe they were married—didn’t believe the Abbot had any power. He’dtoldher that…hadn’t he?
But, proving his mother wasn’t going to let aught keep her quiet for too long, Lady Agnes snapped her mouth shut, shook her head briskly, then nodded.
“Well. Then.” She took a deep breath. “I apologize for my rudeness, Lady Flora. Ye can imagine our surprise—from my pumpkin who has always claimed he’ll never marry! I just didnae expect him to bring home awife!” As she spoke, she became more animated—moreexcited? “Come, Lady Flora, ye must allow me—”
Oneladyshe could let pass, but Flora couldn’t allow these people to continue to call her such. “Notlady, milady,” she offered quietly, with another little curtsey. “Just Flora.”
She was a simple crofter’s daughter. She’d never be a lady in a castle like this one.
To her surprise, ‘twas Payton’s sister-in-law Anna who answered with a soft smile. “When ye married our Payton, ye became a lady, Flora. But please, call me Anna.” She offered a hand. “My feet have flattened with each pregnancy, and I have a pair of sturdy winter shoes ye might have. Never mind shaming our household; the fact Payton allowed ye to travel in such style shamesye.”
