Page 34 of An English Rose for the Highlander
“Ye must take to the floor, me Lady. Nay clansman will fully accept ye until we see ye doing the Highland dances.”
Nervous energy prickled inside her, and Rose looked back and forth between Oskar and Dominik.
“It is only that I am not familiar with them. I don’t wish to make a fool of myself or manage to offend someone because I am so dreadful.”
“I will dance with ye, lass.” Dominik offered, extending his hand. “I will be sure that ye daenae make a fool of yerself.”
She could hardly refuse him, and still more, she didn’t want to. Rose felt more drawn to Dominik than she ever had, and as he walked her to the line of dancers on the floor, her heart pattered against her ribs. Nervous tension wrung her shoulders, but it wasn’t entirely because she feared embarrassing herself. In fact, much of it was because of the growing pull toward Dominik.
His hand felt right in hers. Rose felt comfortable against his side. And she trusted him to lift her and spin her through the steps that did mirror some of the English dances she knew. The rest of the room floated away as she held Dominik’s stare, both locked into a moment as their steps wove them in and out of the other dancers.
Their deadline was fast approaching, and at this very moment, in this bubble of connection they formed, Rose found herself looking forward to it instead of dreading it. Something had indeed changed this evening: the moods of the clan, the easy connection between the lady and Laird, and Dominik’s aid and exquisite dancing stirred something heady and potent inside her.
Thecèilidhhad been an excellent idea, and as the night carried on, Rose found herself dancing with the handsome Laird until the wee hours of the morning, happier than she’d ever been.
17
The next day, Rose was so emboldened by the success of thecèilidhand moved by the support of her husband that she wished to do something for him in return. She needed to take full advantage of the favorable view the clan had of her, and Rose knew that if she were to continue upholding her duties as lady, she needed to show them they could respect her.
After all, respect was earned, not given.
“My lady?” Rose jumped slightly, having been so very lost in her thoughts, and she turned back to Peggy, who stood nearby as Rose finished a cup of tea. “I wish to let you know that I am most grateful to your husband for what he has done for you with thecèilidh. I…I am aware that I did not always view him or the clan in the highest regard, but I was mistaken. He has shown his true colors with the gathering, and I can see how serious he is about ensuring you’re accepted here.”
Rose was taken aback by the honesty. She knew that Peggy had been feeling uneasy since they arrived, and she did seem to almostfearthe clan and its Laird.
“It is good to hear that, Peggy. Thank you for telling me. I am grateful myself, and I wish to do something to capitalize on this gain I have made as the lady of the castle, while also showing our Laird that I am just as serious. It is just that I am unsure what thatthingcould be.”
Peggy stepped forward, patting her hand. “I am sure you’ll think of something, my lady. Will you be joining Eilidh in the kitchens again? You could ask her.”
Nodding back, Rose put her fingers on her chin, holding it firmly as she thought about the potential options.
“Yes, I will be going sometime later. This morning, I am to meet with Fiona about?—”
It hit her. The perfect option to take advantage of the ground she gained last night and reflect her seriousness in her duties to both the clan and Dominik. Rose leaped up from her chair, clapping her hands.
“I have it!” She grinned wide, hurrying straight to the door. “I must go to Fiona at once!”
Rose didn’t even look back, taking off down the hall and practically sprinting to the healer’s chambers to find her dearfriend. Fiona had been so kind and supportive that Rose just knew she would be open to assisting her with making her plan a reality. She only needed to tell her—and quick.
Inside the healer’s chambers, Fiona stood at the back table, preparing herbs and tinctures as she usually did each morning. Rose got right up to her, taking hold of the woman’s shoulders and spinning her around so they could face one another.
“Och, me Lady. What’s gotten into ye? I nearly smashed the bottle of willow bark ointment.”
“Apologies, Fiona.” Rose could not keep the smile from her face. “I have come up with a brilliant plan to aid the clan. We shall open the gates for a time each week, starting as soon as we can, and allow folk to come inside for healing, food, gathering a bit of supplies like cloth or spices, what have you. It will be brilliant. We can speak to the men and women who come, and make sure we tailor what is available to what they need. It will be a way to ensure they are cared for. Healing and hospitality from the Laird and Lady of Clan MacKay. What do you think?”
Fiona’s eyes lit up, her smile stretching wide across her face. She took Rose’s hands, squeezing them as she nodded excitedly.
“It is a bonny idea! I can help ye to gather up the herbs and remedies necessary for the most common wounds. We can use our overstock of supplies, too. Send the people off with bandages and things they can use themselves if they’re mildly injured. I can be sure the healer is here to look over their teeth as well.Och, toothaches are a terrible complaint, and I’ve done more than a few pulls meself.”
Rose laughed, her spirit light like a cloud, while Fiona and she spoke about everything they could do to help the people of Clan MacKay. It felt purposeful and necessary, a service that would be so appreciated by everyone. This was precisely what she wanted to be doing, helping and arranging the best way for the needs of those around her to be met. It utilized all her skills.
A beat of nervousness crept in, and she asked, “Do you think the Laird will approve?”
“Of course!” Fiona looked at her as if the notion of Dominik being unhappy with the idea was ridiculous. It was the confidence that she needed to feel that much more optimistic about her plan.
“Excellent. Please speak with the healer when he joins you at last. Make the arrangements you can, and I will present everything to the Laird.”
“I will, me Lady. I am certain the Laird will be thrilled.”
