Page 28 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds
Maitland sat on the stool and cried giant tears, ones that choked him.
Nesta was the name of his first wife. Was she that close to him now?
His mother leaned over and kissed his tears, whispering, “Maitland, you must trust in the heavens and the universe. She’s just like Callie was not so long ago. You’re not going to lose him.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Eva
A few days later, Eva came down the stairs with a plan. She moved over to the corner of the hall, picking up her new best friend. “Good morn to you, sweet Goldie.” She gave her dog a snuggle, then set her down, petting Shadow and throwing a toy for him to grab. “Come, puppies, you must spend the day outside because I’m going on a visit later.”
Her mother entered the hall with Meg, both coming from the kitchens. “There,” her mother said. “And now we have the next two days’ meals set. You handle it well, Meg.”
Meg said, “Only because of your help, my lady.”
“Rut.”
“Rut.” Meg patted Rut’s forearm.
Eva wasn’t surprised that Meg was taking over her duties so well. She was a bright lass who had worked her fingers to the bone long before she’d met Lennox. The lass still had horrible calluses on her hands the day of the wedding. It never bothered Meg, but it surely caught Rut’s attention.
Eva’s mother had recovered quickly and mumbled to Eva, “Not a concern. Lennox is finally getting married, and her hands will heal.”
They had. It was hard to dislike Meg because she was sincere and hardworking. How she loved her brother, Eva didn’t know, but then again, she’d been a witness to behaviors from Lennox that Eva had never seen before. He was so much in love with Meg that Eva often found it quite amusing.
Would she ever find someone to love her like that?
“Where are you going, Eva?” her mother asked.
“I’m going to Clan Grantham for a visit. I’m taking your advice, Mama. I’m going to ask to borrow a book, so I have something to read.”
Rut stopped, the surprise on her face making her smile. “The Granthams have books?”
Eva grinned and leaned toward her mother. “Don’t tell, but Dyna said all the Grant and Ramsay women have to learn how to read. And write! In case they are healers. They must keep notes of all they’ve done. Dyna told me they have many books they brought with them, and Connor has brought more. So, I’m going to promise to return one if they’ll allow me.”
Meg’s eyes widened. “Ooh, would you borrow one for me too? Anything interesting. I used to read with Tamsin and our mother.”
Lennox entered and said, “Books? Why did you not say so, Meg? I’ll order some to be delivered on the next ship from Europe.”
“You can do that?”
Lennox pulled Meg in for a kiss and said, “Come to my solar, and I’ll show you the letter I received offering such shipments.”
“I’m so excited,” Meg said, clapping her hands. Lennox arched a brow and got an odd look on his face that Eva didn’t quite understand.
Rut said, “Take it to your bedchamber, you two. You never know when a child might walk through the door.” She gave Lennox’s shoulder a shove, and he chuckled, leading Meg to his solar.
Eva whipped her head around at her mother. Surely, she didn’t mean they were talking of intimate relations. Slime, but she’d have to ask Dyna another question. And when had she ever thought of the wordslime?
Eli was rubbing off on her.
“Mama, I shall return before the evening meal. I may practice my archery if Dyna is available.”
“Please make sure you take five guards with you. Taskill will choose them.”
Eva rolled her eyes but grabbed her shawl and headed out, the dogs directly behind her. Taskill would watch the animals for her because he adored dogs almost as much as she did.
They arrived at Duart Castle two hours later, telling one of the guards, “I’ll be a few hours probably.” They were used to escorting her, so they spent their time in the lists watching the Grant men spar.
