CHAPTER TWELVE
WITHMARIANNE STANDINGto his right and Adair to his left at the high table, Nicholas waited for the priest to say the blessing for the evening meal. All the nobles were assembled here, except Lady Riona, her uncle and Roban. Riona was likely in the kitchen, ensuring all was well in hand. He had no idea where her uncle and Roban were, although he noted that Lady Eleanor’s maidservant was present.
It had been interesting watching the men when they were introduced to Marianne and Adair. With Marianne, Percival had acted like the vain fool he was, D’Anglevoix had seemed to melt a little and Lord Chesleigh had been courtesy itself.
They were less sure how to react to Adair, who stood with feet planted, arms crossed and a smile on his face that seemed to dare them to think he was anything but the finest and bravest of men. Naturally, they didn’t dare indicate if they were less than impressed with the warlike Scot.
The other younger nobles had reacted as expected. Lavinia had quietly said a few words, then moved away. Priscilla had giggled, and Audric had bowed politely and said something about Scots’ valor, which proved he was both wise and a gentleman. Joscelind had been impressed by Adair, and less by Marianne, although she was careful not to show much on her beautiful face.
A pale Eleanor had said little.
Nicholas’s glance darted between Eleanor and Joscelind. There was no reason he couldn’t be happily married to either if he tried. Whatever the flaws in her behavior, Joscelind had her beauty and her family’s wealth and connections to recommend her. Eleanor was much the same, although she was also younger.
The priest started the blessing. Nicholas hurriedly and dutifully closed his eyes, and joined in thanking God for His mercy and His bounty. When Father Damon finished, the hum of the voices of the nobles, the soldiers and several servants filled the hall. In another moment, more servants started to come from the kitchen, bearing carafes of wine and baskets of bread.
“Where are the children?” Nicholas asked Marianne, thinking of his bold little nephew who leapt without looking. He was a lot like Henry that way, and Marianne.
As for Cellach, he had little experience with infants, yet she’d nestled in his arms as if she felt completely safe. It was a heady compliment, and one that gave him a powerful yearning to have a child of his own.
“Polly’s with them,” Marianne replied. “Cellach is sleeping soundly and I hope Seamus soon will be, too, despite his nap. It took a promise that you’ll show him one of your many fighting tricks, as he calls them, to get him to stay with Polly.”
“Where the devil’s Roban?” Adair muttered as he scanned the hall.
“Perhaps he decided to eat at the tavern,” Marianne calmly suggested.
Adair laughed. “Well then, I’ll be making a jaunt into the village to fetch him later.” He gave Nicholas a wry smile. “Maybe I’ll have a bit to eat there myself, especially if you’re serving tripe. Scots may use most of a cow, too, but I just can’t get used to that.”
Nicholas permitted himself a small smile of satisfaction as he prepared to reveal the culinary good news. “Roban’s going to be sorry he missed this meal. We’re having some Scots dishes tonight.”
Adair stared at him in wide-eyed amazement.
“Alfred has left my employ, and the person currently supervising my kitchen is a Scot,” Nicholas explained.
“Well, thank God and it’s about time! What’s his name? Maybe I know of him or his clan.”
“It’s a woman, and her name is Riona. She’s a lady from Glencleith. Her uncle is Fergus Mac Gordon. Do you know him?”
“I don’t think so, but there’s something a bit familiar about the name,” Adair mused aloud.
“Does this mean you’ve made your choice for a bride?” Marianne asked.
Adair grinned. “And she’s a Scot?”
“No, it doesn’t,” Nicholas coolly replied. “After it became necessary for Albert to leave, I decided to allow each of the remaining ladies to take a turn in that capacity. I want to make sure my bride is capable of running a household.”
Marianne’s expression was not one of approval. “You mean you’re giving them atest?”
Why did women have such a difficult time grasping the value of his plan? “I prefer to think of it as making sure they can manage my household.”
One of the servants arrived with a dish of fish in some sort of batter, mercifully interrupting the discussion. Another maidservant came with wine to fill their goblets, while Marianne delicately put some of the fish onto her trencher.
“Ach, herring in oats!” Adair cried, eagerly and impatiently serving himself a large portion. “Nowthisis food!” He slapped a helping onto Nicholas’s trencher. “You’ll enjoy this!”
Nicholas wasn’t so sure, yet he decided to give it a try. To his surprise, it wasn’t bad. Not wonderful, nor the best fish he’d ever eaten, but not bad.
Judging by their expressions, Lord Chesleigh, his daughter, Percival and D’Anglevoix had decided to abstain. Well, they could starve, if that’s what they preferred.
“I didn’t think you’d ever consider a Scot for a bride, Nicholas,” Marianne remarked, clearly enjoying the fish.
