When she lifted her head, Violet noted she had similar eyes to the Laird, but her coloring was fairer on her weathered skin, and her hair was a gorgeous grey that was plaited in a single braid down her back. She was a gorgeous woman despite her advanced years.
She must be his grandmama.
“Grannie Ava!” Keira shrieked, barreling into the old woman’s skirt, and confirming her identity.
The woman rocked back on her heels, her face white with shock. Violet instinctively stepped forward to steady her, but the woman wrapped her arms around the little girl, finding her balance.
“Sweet Keira, me bonny lass,” she cried, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. “Ye are back.”
She pulled back to look the girl up and down for any sign of injury before gathering her into her arms again.
“I am so glad that ye are back safe,” she said. “Ye must have been frightened.” She pulled back again to peer into the girl’s bright face.
“I wasnae afraid,” Keira said with a confidence Violet doubted was authentic. “I am a very strong lass.”
“Aye, but even strong lasses have moments when they are scared,” Grannie Ava said gently.
“Nae me, Grannie,” Keira replied stubbornly.
A smile spread across Grannie Ava’s face. “I am just glad to have ye back, lass. Hurry now. If ye are lucky, ye might get some of Cook’s cake.”
At that, Keira darted off eagerly, eliciting a chuckle from her.
Grannie Ava turned around slowly, raising her head to lock eyes with Violet, who stood a distance away. Her brow furrowed with confusion when she failed to recognize her.
“Who is yer friend, Ruaridh?” she asked, not looking away from Violet.
Violet offered a tight smile in the hope of easing the rising tension.
“Grannie,” the Laird said, coming to stand beside her, his spicy woody scent offering her some comfort in the face of the other woman’s wariness. “This is Violet. She is to be me bride,” he announced, his voice echoing with authority.
Grannie Ava’s eyes widened with surprise. “Ye are going to marry?” she asked.
“Aye, Grannie,” he replied steadily.
“But…?” Grannie Ava trailed off.
“I will tell ye everything later. Me betrothed is very tired from the long journey. Please show her to her room so she can rest,” he said, dismissing her concerns.
Grannie Ava gave Violet a smile, her questions obviously filed away for later. “Of course. Daenae mind me. Come, lass,” she said, leading the way into the castle. “I didnae ken Ruaridh was going to bring home a lass, so we have very few rooms available. I will put ye in one while the maids prepare the rooms of the lady of the castle.”
As they walked through the halls, Violet looked around, taking it all in. She did not think it possible, but it seemed the interior was even more impressive than the exterior.
For a castle that had quite many people working in and around it, it was well kept. The walls rose high, gleaming with signs of a new coating and boasting quite a number of beautiful tapestries, some depicting war and hunting scenes.
The rushes beneath her feet were fresh, set off by expensive-looking rugs placed at strategic points. Even as she looked, she could find several maids scrubbing the floor with dedication.
It was like Keira said; Grannie Ava was very efficient in managing the castle, and if everything went as planned and Violet married the Laird, she would become the lady of the castle.
How sure was she that she would be able to manage quite a large household? While her mother had trained her to be a good hostess both at home and at balls, it was never for this number of people.
Soon, they stopped before a door along one of the corridors on the lower level of the castle. It was rather sparse of decoration, but a torch hung close by, devoid of any flame, and the small slits in the wall offered some light to what would have been a dark space.
“This is it, lass,” Grannie Ava said, before turning to the Laird. “I will leave yer betrothed in yer care. I have to check what the little hellion is up to.”
With that, she turned on her heels and returned the way they had come.
Violet swallowed now that they were alone but, before she could feel any fear, the Laird opened the door to reveal what would be her room. It was tastefully furnished in midnight blue, another favorite color of Violet’s, but she suspected that it once belonged to a man. She stepped inside and looked around.
