Page 19 of Desiring the Highland Laird
“Who are you?” She didn’t bother to hide the suspicion in her voice.
The woman chuckled. “Roslyn. I try to keep the laird and his lads fed. My husband is the steward when they’re away. He also has a talent for healing. He came to check on ye earlier. He dinnae mean to frighten ye.”
“Oh,” was all Evie managed.
The woman went on as though she hadn’t spoken. “’Tis a special thing to have them all here under one roof. Well, all except Jamie.” She gave a wistful sigh, as though that wassomething that didn’t happen a lot. “He’s off traveling the world after his shameful behavior.” She sniffed derision at this, as if she was unhappy with the way Jamie had behaved about whatever it was. Then she cut her a sheepish glance. “I shouldna have said a word about that. ’Tis not my place.”
Evie cleared her throat and changed the subject. “You mentioned the laird?”
“Aye, lassie. Hamish.” She looked her over, eyeing her clothes. “Listen to me prattling on when there is work to be done. Callum said ye needed proper clothing. I see he was right.”
“Callum tells you a lot.”
She laughed. “Let’s get ye dressed and fed.”
“I thought Callum was returning with clothes,” she said, watching as the older woman sorted through the garments.
“It isna proper for him to be in here when ye dress,” she said. “Now, off with…” She paused, eyeing her black dress.
“It’s a dress,” Evie said.
“It doesna look like any dress I’ve seen.”
Evie wasn’t accustomed to being dressed by someone, so she hesitated, shifting from one foot to the other.
“I can dress myself,” she said at last.
The woman lifted a silver brow. “Can ye, now? Are ye sure about that?”
One glance at the pile of foreign clothes on the bed was her answer. Finally, she shook her head in defeat.
“Och, let me help ye.”
Evie relented. She reached behind her and unzipped her dress, shoving it off her shoulders and letting it fall to the floor at her feet. Her undergarments were a simple cream-colored bra and panties which Roslyn stared at for a good long moment, making her blush.
“It’s what we wear where I come from,” Evie muttered.
“Do ye now?”
She said nothing more as she reached for the chemise. Evie pulled it on over her head. The soft material was cool against her skin as it fell to the floor. Next, she handed her another gown for over the top of the chemise. She pulled it on. The material was a heavy wool. Next were thick stockings and shoes. One thing was for sure, she would be dressed for warmth here.
Once she was dressed, Roslyn eyed her hair. It made Evie self-conscious. She pushed her fingers through the locks and realized it was full of tangles.
“I suppose you want to take care of my hair next,” Evie said.
“Aye.”
She grinned and grabbed a brush. Moments later, Evie’s hair was brushed and pulled into a thick braid, pulled tight at her temples. Roslyn stood back and admired her handiwork.
“There now.” She stood back and gave her a once over. “The dress is a bit long for ye, but I suppose it will do for now. I can hem it up for ye.”
Evie glanced down to see that the hem of the gown she wore covered her feet and trailed the floor. Yes, it would definitely need hemming.
The woman waved at her to follow. She clutched the skirt in her hands and lifted it so she wouldn’t trip. They exited the chamber, giving Evie her first look at the castle. For a moment, she was struck by how magnificent it was. They headed down the staircase and to the great hall, where there was a long table in the center and chairs on either side. Callum and two other men were already seated there speaking in hushed tones. They stopped talking and got to their feet when the women entered the room.
One man appeared older than Callum. She assumed this was the laird and his father. His aged face was graced by a thick, dark beard with streaks of white. There was a twinkle in his bright blue eyes that were much like Callum’s.
The other man was younger. He, too, resembled Callum. His dark hair hung over his shoulders. Unlike Callum, he had a thick, full beard. His eyes were the color of the sea after a storm, a sea-green she had never seen before. Callum gestured to the chair next to him. Aware all eyes were on her, she moved to his side of the table and sat in the chair.
