Page 3 of Harrowing Hall
He had hoped she would like it here, but her response outdid his expectations.
“Aye, lass, look.”Because I hope it will soon be yours as much as it is mine. He pulled her along. “What do you think?”
Watching Maude take everything in was like seeing his castle for the first time. Her eyes grew rounder and more pleased every which way she gazed. Whether she looked at his kin’s endless tapestries or the furnishings that had been placed just so over the generations.
“Ooh,look,” she said about one statue, pulling him instead of him leading her. Then, “And oh, my, just look at this one.” More pulling. “And that one!”
He tried to tell her more about the objects but suspected he would have to repeat it all later. Because as much as she nodded at him and smiled as though listening, she was far too excited and enthralled at the moment. She wanted to see everything at once. Touch all of it if she could.
Yet all the while, her mind went in circles.
“I know I should not have been so forward with your butler,” she murmured, awestruck by another nook. “But honestly, how often does one meet a former nursemaid turned whatever I am?” She might sound like she was endlessly babbling, but he understood it was just how she dealt with her overloaded senses. “You cannot blame your butler for any returned forward behavior.” Her eyes rounded on Blake before he could respond. “Youdounderstand that, yes?”
Before he had a chance to reply, she was thanking the servant who handed her a glass of claret and inviting her to join them in front of the fire.
“Much thanks, miss, but I do not think….”
Rather than give a full answer, his servant smiled at Maude, nodded at him, and faded away.
“Oh, dear me, I went aboutthatall wrong, too, did I not, Blake?” Maude worried for a split second before she sipped her claret, closed her eyes, and groaned. Half a breath later, her eyes shot open, and she clamped a hand over her mouth in mortification. “And I went aboutthatall wrong,” she whispered between fingers before she lowered her hand and glanced right and left, hoping no one saw it. “You have my apologies, for I do know better.”
Without doubt, she did, but what fun would that be?
Maude could be taught propriety and decorum morning, noon, and night, but he suspected at any age, her free spirit would break free. He counted on it. Prayed for it. Because he enjoyed her just the way she was.
“No need to apologize. All is well.” He stood with his back to the fire beside her. “So you like it here? It suits you?”
“How could it not?” she gushed before she straightened and did her best to act proper and speak correctly. “Yes, m’laird, it does.” Her beautiful gaze swept over the great hall again. “It really is unbelievably stunning.”
He appreciated her opinion because some, most, English lasses did not see it that way. Yes, there was wealth abound, but there were also medieval weapons strapped to the walls as high as the eye could see. Tapestries that were not necessarily eloquent but real in the way they depicted battles and bloodshed. The long wars between Scotland and England.
“I am glad to hear you say that, Miss Maude.” He kept rallying the courage he had been working on for days. “Because I would like to—”
“Why did you not tell me our guest had arrived, my lord?” Jane said, looking slightly agitated as she wandered in and joined them. Her blonde hair was tied back neatly, and her dress more finely cut than usual. She nodded politely enough at Maude and introduced herself. “I have been eager to meet you, Maude. It is all right to call you Maude, is it not? I’m so happy to have you here and on such an occasion.”
Jane was a close friend of the family who had been acting differently of late. Flirtatious when they had only ever enjoyed friendship rather than attraction.
Maude smiled in greeting. Her brows swept up. “Oh yes, Maude is fine. By occasion, do you mean All Saints’ Day? Blake…I mean, Lord MacLauchlin, mentioned it is quite the thing in these parts.”
“Oh,yes.” Jane sipped her claret. “Most especially the eve of All Saints’ Day.” She slipped her arm through Maude’s. “I am sure Lord MacLauchlin has much to see to, so let me show you to your room and help you get settled before dinner.” Her voice dropped an octave and grew mysterious. “Before that, though, I must tell you all about the ghoulish fun that will soon be abound.”
What? So soon? Maude had only just arrived.
Although he would have enjoyed a bit more time together, Blake was nothing less than polite as he bid Maude farewell for now. Yet the moment Jane and Maude vanished upstairs, he frowned. What was Jane up to? Because he got the overwhelming sense she was getting ready to stir up trouble.
Chapter Three
Maude was unsurewhat to make of Jane. The woman seemed pleasant enough, but she sensed an underlying tension. It was clear she had designs on Blake. Perhaps a little too clear. And while that should make her jealous, it did not. But then, Blake’s feelings clearly lay with Maude. Not just that, but something about Jane seemed off. Something she was determined to get to the bottom of, for she could use a friend or two in these parts.
Though she was supposed to tell her about ghoulish fun as they headed up the long winding staircase, Jane did no such thing. Instead, she seemed distracted, if not a smidge on edge.
“What fine paintings.” Maude gazed up at the tall, dashing Scots staring down at her. Some wore plaids and carried sporrans. Others, more modern-day clothing. Some seemed ferocious as if moments from rushing into battle. Others were calm, as though enjoying a time of peace. “Are they all MacLauchlins?”
“Aye.” Jane glanced at them. “Or spouses that married into the family.”
As pointed out, there were plenty of women as well. Some smiled. Others were more serious. Her attention was caught by a spot where a painting had recently hung. “What happened to that one?”
“It is…elsewhere at the moment.” Jane’s voice took on the same mysterious octave it had before. As if she knew some great secret.
