“My, ye look bonny. Bein’ married clearly agrees with ye,” she said playfully.
“Aye, it does,” Olivia answered as she looped her arm through Eileen’s and led her across the courtyard to the entrance of the keep.
She wished she felt as confident as she sounded about the state of her marriage, though. To say that Edan blew hot and cold was an understatement. Their time in the glen the day before had left her feeling hopeful they could find happiness together. But later on, after the fire was out and they were on the way home, he had reverted to his usual cold demeanor, leaving her confused and hurt.
But she hid her concerns with a smile as they entered the keep, letting her excitement take over.
“But ye look very well too, Eileen. I’m excited to hear all the news from home, so we have a lot of catchin’ up to do.”
“Ach, ’tis very borin’. I’m glad for the change of scenery. And I’m very excited to meet yer husband,” Eileen replied, giving her a curious glance. “Ye havenae said much about him in yer letters.”
“Aye, well, as ye ken, after bein’ away for a year, he’s only recently returned from fightin’. Ye could say we’re gettin’ to ken each other,” Olivia said diplomatically.
“He scared me half silly when I saw him at the weddin’. He’s quite intimidatin’ to look at,” Eileen replied with her usual forthrightness. “Is he as frightening as he looks?”
Olivia forced a laugh. “Ye can find that out for yerself. Ye’ll be meetin’ Edan soon enough. He’ll join us for lunch shortly,” she said, already wondering how that would go.
Trying to put her worries out of her mind and enjoy her sister’s company, she babbled on.
“Ye’ll meet Greta as well—his grandmaither. She’s a lovely lady. We’ve grown very close. I’m sure ye’ll like her. I’ve arranged for us to have a family luncheon in the parlor, just the four of us.”
“That sounds very nice. I look forward to meetin’ them both,” Eileen answered as Olivia steered her towards the staircase.
“Well, we have about half an hour to go before luncheon. Ye must be weary after yer long journey and want to refresh yerself,” Olivia told her as they went upstairs. Then, she added excitedly, “I’ve put ye in the chambers right next to mine, and there’s a connectin’ door, so we can talk all night if we wish.”
Eileen glanced at her curiously. “Do ye mean ye have yer own chambers? Do ye nae share a chamber with yer husband, then?”
Having anticipated the question, Olivia had her reply ready.
“Aye, of course, but I thought it would be nicer while ye’re here for us to have our rooms next to each other, so we can be together whenever we like without bein’ disturbed,” she said with false brightness.
Thankfully, Eileen seemed to accept her explanation.
Once Eileen had refreshed herself, Olivia took her downstairs, and they made their way to the parlor.
“What a lovely room,” Eileen remarked, looking admiringly around the spacious, comfortably furnished room.
“Och, I’m glad ye like it. I’ve grown quite proud of me home, although it was very strange at first. Aberfeld is such a big, old place—it takes some gettin’ used to. I still get lost every now and then,” Olivia admitted, hearing a trace of nervousness in her laughter. “I’ll give ye the grand tour after luncheon.”
Just then, the door opened. Olivia’s heart gave an anxious, little thud when she saw Greta coming in on Edan’s arm. It sank a little when she saw his cold, inscrutable expression, feeling it did not bode well for a relaxed and happy first meeting. Despite how impressively he filled out his fine clothing, he was otherwise every inch as intimidating as Eileen had mentioned.
However, she was determined to make Eileen feel welcome. So, she focused on Greta and was duly thankful for the warm manner in which the old lady greeted Eileen when she introduced them.
Greta immediately took Eileen’s hand in her own and squeezed it warmly as she smiled at her. “Very nice to meet ye, me dear. I’m so glad ye could come and stay with us. Ye’re very welcome. It’ll be nice for Olivia to have ye here for the Feast of St. Patrick.”
“Thank ye kindly, Lady Greta,” Eileen replied, bobbing a demure curtsey. “I’m very pleased to make yer acquaintance, and I look forward to spendin’ some time with me sister. We’ve all missed her since she went away.”
“Well, ye just make sure to enjoy yerself while ye’re here, lassie. We’ll all do our best to make yer stay a happy one.” Greta released Eileen’s hand.
“Edan, do ye remember meetin’ me sister, Eileen, at our weddin’?” Olivia asked brightly, keeping her trepidation at bay.
“Aye, I do. Welcome back to Aberfeld Castle, Eileen. As me grandmaither said, I hope ye enjoy yer stay.”
Edan was perfectly civil. He bowed elegantly and kissed Eileen’s hand like a gentleman raised in Court. Olivia could find nothing to complain about in his greeting, except a complete lack of warmth. And she could tell from the way Eileen kept glancing curiously at him as he led them to the table that her sister had noticed it.
Ach, now she’ll be askin’ me questions about it.
She wondered how on earth she was going to explain her husband’s aloofness. But there was nothing she could do about it just then, so she hid her annoyance with him and tried to make it a happy occasion for her sister.
