Page 61 of Sinbound to the Highlander
Elspeth blanched, “Ye played in snow?”
“Ye havenae?” Freya replied, appalled.
They shared a look before laughing, Freya’s a high merry laugh while Elspeth’s was a subdued chuckle. Taking another turn around the courtyard, Freya chatted with her sister, but the conversation always circled back to the marriage day.
“Ye wanted what flowers again?” Elspeth asked as they made it back to the castle, “In yer hair?”
“White lilies,” Freya replied, “the ones that grow on the water.”
“Oh, I kent ye said roses,” Elspeth shrugged while brushing snow from the tails of her dress. “I’m sure ye’ll be bonnie in them, still.”
Noting the rosy flush of color in her sister’s cheeks and happy that she and Elspeth had enjoyed the last couple hours, Freya asked, “Would ye join me for a meal?”
Shaking her head, Elspeth said, “I ken ‘tis time I rested. I’ll send for me meals from the kitchens, and I ken ye should too. T’would be a welcome sight for Laird Ruthven to see ye refreshed later on, aye.”
Elspeth was right, but Freya wasnae going to sit around and do nothing. She had already read through the books Evan had left for her. She went to her room but found herself in the healing hall soon after. The smell of healing herbs and fresh air streaming in from the large windows and porthole styles window, was comforting to her.
She met with the head healer and spotted the new casks of balm she and her fellow healers had made. Taking an urn, Lady Ruthven flashed through her mind, and she realized she had not seen the lady at all that day.
“Have ye seen Lady Ruthven today?” She asked.
“Curiously, I havenae,” Missus Delilah replied.
Worried, Freya dropped the urn, “Excuse me.”
Hurrying away, Freya took the stairwell to the private rooms and skipping the ones that she knew; she went to the only one she had not been in. It had to be Lady Ruthven’s. Knocking quickly, she heard the lady’s voice telling her to come in.
When she did, Freya found the lady laying on her bed with the drapes closed. “Lady Ruthven, are ye well?”
“Miss Crushom,” the Lady lifted her hand. “Aye, lass, I am well, just decided to take a rest from the castle today. Take a seat, Dear, and let me tell ye why.”
Obeying, Freya took a seat and placed it at the woman’s bedside and took her hand. Patting her hand, Lady Ruthven said, “After me husband died, I took up the post of running the Lairdship, as Evan was still too young to take it up. He was a laddie, nigh six years old. I stayed there until he was schooled enough to take it on, but I still hung onto it because I kent it was me duty to me husband.”
“T’was only when this war, or the threat of it, came about, that Evan convinced me to step down from an active role in managing the clan, and I felt me age catching up with me. Me knees hurt from overactivity, and I had little sleep for worryin’ about our people and other things. I would have these headaches and eye aches from the sleeplessness. These past few weeks were the best ones I have spent in two-score years. Now, that me Son is about to marry, I am taking this time to rest. I want to see me grandbairn up to his or her twentieth year.”
Again, Freya reddened. Not once had Evan mentioned children, but she and Elspeth had. Her attempt to look unaffected was seen through by the Lady who laughed and patted her hand. “Nay pressure on ye Dear.”
Decidedly uncomfortable, Freya conceded, “I understand, but now that I’m here, is there anythin’ ye would want me to do for ye?”
“Only one thing, Dear, if ye dinnae mind…”
Evan walked in to see Freya massaging his mother’s leg and chatting with her. When Freya saw him, she jerked so hard she toppled the urn of salve unto the floor. Scrambling to retrieve it, Freya ducked under her chair and bumped her head while coming back up.
“Owww,” she groaned, massaging her head with one hand.
The urn was plucked from her hand, and Evan grasped her elbow to lift her. His amusement was palpable, “If ye can topple over from a stable chair, mayhap I shouldnae allow ye those riding lessons.”
Freya struck his chest, “Ye’re so mean.”
Tucking her hair from her face, Evan bent his head and kissed her, tenderly at first, but then it grew more possessive and crushed her to him in a passionate embrace. Mortified, Freya pulled away from him and hid her face in his neck. How could he kiss her like that in front of his mother!
“Evan!” she hissed.
“Oh, daenae ye fret Dear,” Lady Ruthven laughed from the bed, “I’ve been on this land for years, and I’ve seen worse.”
Evan’s eyes did not move from hers, and his gaze was loaded with adoration, “May I borrow me love from ye, Maither?”
“Be free,” Lady Ruthven said, “and thank ye Dear for coming to check on me, and massagin’ me legs.”
