Riona fell into step beside Nicholas’s sister, who had the most graceful walk and perfect posture Riona had ever seen.
“The village is growing all the time,” Lady Marianne noted. “I think at least five new families have come since I was here last, before Cellach was born. And there’s another smithy, too, and soon another tavern, Nicholas tells me. We’ll have to keep an eye on Roban next time.” She slid Riona a smile. “He’s quite a fellow to drink with, or so I understand.”
“I think my uncle would agree.”
Lady Marianne laughed softly. “So would my husband. I hope you weren’t too upset with them.”
“No,” Riona prevaricated, wondering if she should say anything about the aftermath and her uncle. She decided against it.
They reached the gates, and the Saxon guards dutifully and respectfully came to attention as they passed by.
“I see they’re still here,” Lady Marianne remarked as they walked down the road that led through the inner ward toward the massive gatehouse. “Nicholas had his doubts about them atfirst, for they’re not the smartest of men, but he claims they’re good fighters.”
In the ward, a group of soldiers were practicing with a quintain, a dummy mounted on a moving circular platform. It taught men to be quick to react, before they got hit with the arm of the dummy.
A familiar thrill of excitement wove its way through Riona as she tried to see if Nicholas was among them without revealing any particular interest in the activity.
“My brother still believes in training, I see,” his sister remarked.
“Apparently,” Riona replied, thinking some answer was called for.
“I feared he was never going to finish this castle,” Lady Marianne said, gesturing at the walls. “It was only half-built when I first came here five years ago. How I hated Scotland then! It was so wet and dreary, and I knew little about the Scots. And of course, I hadn’t yet met Adair.”
Riona was tempted to ask about those days, for she’d heard some of the gossip about that strange courtship, but it was really none of her business.
“I must confess I didn’t like Adair much at first. I thought he was quite rude. And arrogant. I believed I already knew the most arrogant man in the world—Nicholas. He can be very arrogant, don’t you think?”
“Sometimes, my lady, but he deserves to be proud, after all that he’s accomplished.”
Lady Marianne smiled. “Indeed, he does. Just how much he’d accomplished, I never appreciated until I came here. In fact, it wasn’t until I was arguing with him over my betrothal that I found out that after my parents died, our family was left with nothing. Nicholas promised my mother that he would always look after me and he spent many a year saving all the money he could so that I could live in comfort and happiness, and Henry, too. Yet he never said a word about it, or gave any sign, or asked for our thanks—until I refused to marry the man he chose for me. He was furious and the truth came out as we quarreled. He was even more angry when I married Adair. But he came to our aid when we needed him most, and for that, I’ll be forever grateful.”
They passed through the second gate and continued toward the village. In the distance, Riona could make out the tavern, and the place where Percival had accosted her. At the edge of the green, the archer was being locked back in the stocks. He seemed to have accepted his fate with resignation, just as she had.
“Nicholas gave up a good deal for Henry and me, yet in spite of that, he succeeded where plenty of other men have not. His castle and his reputation are proof of that. But I don’t think Nicholas feels that he’s done enough, even now.”
Riona knew he didn’t, and why, but it was for Nicholas to voice his concerns to his sister, not her.
They came to the first few stone cottages. Lady Marianne turned down an alley that led to the river. “We can sit on the bank, if the grass is dry,” she proposed.
Riona silently agreed and followed her to the stony bank.
“The grass is too wet,” Marianne observed. She gestured to some large stones near the water’s edge. “These rocks aren’t. Not the softest seats in the world, but I can’t linger long anyway.”
She sat on a large one and Riona did the same.
When they were settled, Marianne gave a deep sigh. “Oh, it’s lovely to have a few moments to myself.”
“I know how you feel, my lady. That’s one reason I came here with my uncle. I wanted to get away from my responsibilities for a little while.”
How long ago it seemed since she’d had that conversation with Kenneth, and Uncle Fergus had come home with his news. How much had happened, and how her world had altered since.
“You have many responsibilities in Glencleith, I understand. Your uncle was telling me about you and all the things you do for him and your cousin and your clan.”
Riona looked away. “He shouldn’t boast so much. I do no more than any other woman would.”
“Perhaps not, but I can appreciate what he doesn’t say, because of what I’ve observed myself since I’ve been here. You may do your duty, and so might many another woman in your place, but you do it with love and cheerfulness.”
“Uncle Fergus is a very lovable fellow.”
