“Are you Breckin’s sons then?” Eva tried to discern why he hadn’t told her about the lads. Who were they and did they live with him? Though she should be angry with Breckin for withholding such information, she supposed they had much to learn about each other.
“Nay, Breckin is our elder brother. When our ma and da died, he took care of us.”
That information appeased her a bit. Not that she was jealous, of course, but the thought of Breckin lying with another woman even before he’d married her caused a twinge of unrest in her heart. “Well, that was good of him. Do you know where your brother is?”
Connor answered, “Off to war. Aye, and I cannot wait to hear about it when they return,” his voice rose with the enthusiasm of hearing the sordid details of battle.
“They?” Eva’s heart tensed at hearing that Breckin had gone to war.
“All the Buchanan soldiers,” Caden supplied. “One day we will join them but not until we master the skill at arms. Breckin says we have a few years afore we can join a regiment.”
Clare arrived carrying a tray which she balanced on her hip. “Out, do ye two not have chores? The stable will not clean itself. Go on now with ye and leave the lady alone.” She shooed the boys from the chamber as they scurried out. She watched them go with a frown before she turned to look at Eva with an exasperated expression. “I apologize, Milady, and hope they did not bother ye.”
“No, they didn’t bother me.” Eva took the tray from her. “This smells delicious. My thanks for the food, and please, call me Eva.”
Clare frowned at her as if she’d grown horns. “Ah, I cannot, Milady, for ye are our clan’s lady and the laird’s wife. We must call ye Milady or Lady Buchanan as the laird ordered.”
She did not much appreciate the formality, especially since she hoped to befriend the woman. Given the staid expression on her face, Clare wasn’t a friendly sort of person. She hadn’t smiled once in her presence.
“Now eat and I shall return for the leftovers.” Clare reached the door and pulled it closed behind her.
Eva used the spoon to try to distinguish what was in the bowl. It appeared to be a stew of some sort with chunks of unknown meat in it. Still, it smelled good and her stomach grumbled. On the tray, therewere two large pieces of bread. She dunked the bread in the stew’s broth and once the bread was gone, quickly ate spoonful after spoonful. Finally sated and full, she had emptied the bowl.
She set the bowl back on the tray and then placed it on the bedside table. Eva was unsure if she should leave the room. Clare mentioned that she would return for the tray which indicated that she should wait. Eva paced beside the bed and it seemed as if an entire day passed. She needed to take care of her personal needs and hoped to bathe. Finally, footsteps sounded outside the bedchamber and Eva waited for the door to open.
Clare knocked and entered without being bid to. She collected the food tray and stopped at the doorway. “I am leaving the cottage, Milady, and shall return later this eve. If ye wish to make something for your supper, ye may use the kitchen. There is plenty of foodstuff.”
Eva was unsure whether it was morning, midday, or evening. “Is there a place to wash or to see to my personal needs? I must launder my gowns. Is there a servant who can see to it for me?”
Clare snorted with laughter. “Do ye jest, Milady? Servant? We have no servants here and take care of our own needs. If ye need to wash your garments or yourself, ye will have to go to the stream or loch. Och, my wash is hanging on the lines so ye need to wait until the morrow.”
“Oh.” Eva nodded, her stomach sinking. “My thanks, Clare, for telling me. I shall wash my gowns then on the morrow at the loch. I shall go then to the stream to get clean.”
The lady did not bid her farewell but left and closed the door behind her.
Eva allowed her shoulders to slump as she wondered if this was how her life would be—lonely, isolated, and leaving her to fend for herself.
*
For almost afortnight, Eva stayed in the bed chamber except for her brief jaunts to the stream to wash. She felt like a prisoner. Who knew how long it would take for Breckin to return? She’d go barking mad if she didn’t get outside soon. When she lived at her father’s manor, she often walked among the grounds even when the weather was frigid.
Finally, she decided to brave the unknown. She had to get outside. Instead of using her cloak, Eva grabbed the tartan Breckin had given her and wrapped it around her shoulders. She found a belt to one of her overdresses and tied it around her waist to keep the tartan secure. There, she’d be warm if the weather was chilly, and at least, she might look as though she belonged.
With her hand on the door handle, she called forth her gumption and yanked the door open. As she walked through the small cottage, she realized no one was inside. At the door, she hesitated but called on her courage to venture out. Brightness forced her to squint her eyes. As she adjusted to the light of day, she walked on the lane and smiled at the people she passed. They were as friendly as Clare and offered no greetings or smiles.
She passed a large building where a small group of men stood and assumed it was where the soldiers lived. They gawked at her and her cheeks brightened at their attention. Then she noticed the stable. Men stood atop the roof and worked at repairing it.
Near the bridge, she regarded the guardsman and hoped he didn’t stop her. She wanted to see what was on the other side of the structure. The man seemed oblivious to her as he argued with another man about an overturned cart. Eva slipped by them easily.
Along the waterway, trees lined the bank and shaded her with their newly leafed branches. Spring sent a warmer breeze with sunshine and nary a cloud in the sky. Scattered amongst the trees were homes of various sizes, some small and some larger. The homes were made of stone and wood with thatched roofs, wooden doors, and window closures.
When several people glimpsed her, they either closed their doors or hastened away. The Buchanans definitely didn’t appreciate outsiders. She was gladdened now that she hadn’t brought Luella, for she would have been daunted by the clan’s people. Still, she wouldn’t be as lonely if Luella had come.
Ahead, a woman carrying a large basket walked along with a dog. She had pretty reddish-brown hair and a thick long braid hung over her shoulder. The woman’s blue-gray eyes shone as she smiled. A simple overdress was covered with a draped tartan over her thin body and wrapped with another at her waist. The dog scampered toward Eva and barked but it wasn’t an unfriendly greeting. Eva held her hand out for the dog to sniff.
“He’s a beautiful dog,” she said and gazed fondly at the canine. But the woman’s pet was larger than any mutt she’d ever seen, and had the thickest black fur woven with light brown. Its coat was unlike any she’d ever seen on a dog. “Can I pet him?”
“She, my pet is a she. Aye, of course, ye may. Her name is Ise-Olcan.”
