Page 34 of The Shadow of a Laird
“Elspeth,” Laird Jamieson stood up, went over to his daughter, and put his hands on her shoulders. “Please calm down. We are discussing men’s business—Lairds’ business—and when we are finished, you may speak to Gavin for as long as you wish.”
“This is my concern too,” Elspeth protested. “Let Gavin rest for a while before you talk. I amsoglad you are safe.”
Before Laird Jamieson could answer, Elspeth grabbed hold of Gavin’s hand and tugged at it. She was not strong enough to pull him to his feet, but he followed her anyway, too confused at that moment to do anything else.
Laird Jamieson was about to protest, then he thought better of it and sat down. Elspeth had been so miserable when she thought Gavin was dead that he reasoned perhaps it was better to give them some time alone.
Elspeth led Gavin along a corridor that seemed about a mile long, then up various staircases and along more passageways until he was completely lost. At last, they came to a door that was surrounded by an elaborately carved frame, and Elspeth opened it to admit him.
The room was typically feminine, with pale pink curtains and a rose pink quilt on the bed, flowers in silver vases and jewel-coloured rugs on the polished mahogany floor. There were two chairs in front of the marble fireplace, each inhabited by a cat, one tabby and one grey. They both looked up and immediately jumped off the chairs, then ran up to Elspeth and began rubbing themselves affectionately against her legs, purring ecstatically.
She bent down and picked them both up, then set them down in a padded basket, where they began to wash themselves. Gavin had always been rather indifferent to dogs and cats, preferring his horses, but now he realised he would somehow have to overcome his lack of interest. He knew that the cats meant a lot to Elspeth, and if he were her husband, he would have to put up with them whether he liked it or not.
Elspeth wrapped her arms around him, and Gavin was astonished to realise that she was weeping. “I am so glad to see you, Gavin,” she said tearfully. “I truly thought you were dead. I cried my eyes out for days. I cannot tell you how happy I am that you’re back!” She squeezed him more tightly for a moment, then looked up at him with a gentle smile.
“I am very glad to see you too, Elspeth,” he said. “It has been a long time.”
“Please wait here,” she said, “I will tell one of the manservants to draw you a bath, and you can have lunch with Father and me. Stay here and rest.”
Then she left, closing the door quietly behind her, leaving him to think. How could he possibly endure his marital duties when he had all but gone to heaven with Maura? He sighed and laid down on the bed with the rose pink quilt, resolving that as soon as he moved into the room he would change the colour scheme at once!
15
Laird Jamieson had to summon the clan elders from their homes, which were all some distance away, so they could have no meeting that afternoon. Lunch was an awkward affair, since the question of Gavin’s mission to Ardneuk Castle was on everyone’s minds, although no one wanted to speak of it. Instead, they made pointless small talk about unimportant subjects in which Gavin had no interest at all.
When Elspeth told him regretfully that she had already arranged to meet with friends that afternoon, Gavin gave a huge inward sigh of relief. Now he had time to think again, and he knew exactly who would be on his mind.
“Your day will not be wasted, though, Gavin,” she assured him. “I have found you a bedroom and some clothes, there are books in the library and every single servant in the castle is at your command. Is there anything else you need?”
Gavin looked down at Elspeth’s eager face and smiled. “No, thank you, Elspeth,” he said. “You and your father have both been very kind to me.”
“Let me show you to your room,” she offered, taking his hand.
Unsurprisingly, it was only a few yards away from her own, but when they entered it, Gavin was relieved to see that it was nothing like the chamber he had just left. This one was much more masculine, and there was not a hint of pink anywhere.
It was decorated in shades of deep maroon and silver grey, with plain brown rugs on the floor and dark ebony furniture. The pictures around the walls were hunting scenes, and there was not a flowery still life anywhere. Gavin smiled as he looked around. This was definitely his kind of chamber!
“I can see that you like it,” Elspeth observed, laughing.
“I do,” he replied eagerly. “It is more, masculine.”
Elspeth laughed. “Yes, when we decorate our bedroom, perhaps we should do it together? I don’t want my husband to be unhappy with me.”
She gazed up at him adoringly, and Gavin pasted a smile on his face and put an arm around her shoulders. She was like a puppy, he thought, so happy and eager to please. It was not a trait he admired, but he reminded himself that most women of his class were brought up to be submissive.
“I agree,” he replied. “But remember, nothing is settled yet, Elspeth.”
“I know, but it is only a matter of time. I have faith in my father and in you, Gavin. Now I must go.” Elspeth looked sad. “If I had known you would be here, I would have arranged to meet my friends another time, but I suppose it doesn’t matter now. I will see you at dinner.”
“That is true.”
Gavin summoned up a smile and once again concurred. The thought of waking up in the same bed with Elspeth every day did not exactly displease him, but she had one flaw. She was not Maura.
Elspeth gave him a quick hug and a peck on the cheek, then left. When the door closed behind her, Gavin gave a great sigh of relief.
Later, when he sat down to dinner with Elspeth and her father, she looked absolutely delighted to see him, and a beaming smile did not leave her face all through the meal. She was eager to hear all about Gavin’s adventure, and she was looking at him with undying interest during his narration. He told them about his escape, the cunning stable head, and the tavern owners that threw him out in his filthy state. They laughed when he described his first week working with Maura, and dealing with all the drunk men.
Gavin did his best to eat and make pleasant conversation, remembering that he had to keep the Laird on his side. Knowing that he was a horse lover, Gavin tried to engage him in conversation about something in which he was interested.
