“I bathed last night,” Olivia said. “I’m more interested in breakfast. But if ye’re goin’ to bathe, Eileen, then we shall definitely be too late to go and have breakfast downstairs with Edan. Please bring a tray up here, Megan.”
She was a little disappointed to have missed the chance to have breakfast with Edan.
“Aye, of course. I’ll go and get that and order the hot water now,” the maid replied, before leaving.
Eilen yawned again and threw herself down on Olivia’s bed. “So, what do ye have planned for us today?” she asked.
“Well, ye had a tour of the castle. How would ye like to go for a ride this mornin’? The scenery out on the moors is lovely, and I could show ye some of the sights,” Olivia suggested.
Eileen grimaced. “I think I’d like to have a more restful day after such a long journey if ye dinnae mind, Sister. How about a walk in the gardens, some nice luncheon, and then perhaps ye could show me the library?”
“Very well, if that’s what ye’d like,” Olivia replied, remembering what a bookworm Eileen was. “How would ye feel about helpin’ us with the last of the decorations for the Saint Patrick’s Day feast later?”
She explained what she, Megan, Greta, and Jane had been working on.
“Och, I’d love to help out,” Eileen said with enthusiasm. “Ye ken I love makin’ decorations for any reason.”
“Aye, so ye do. Well, we’ll have leisurely time then, and later, after luncheon, we’ll go and help the others.”
“Perfect,” Eileen said, rolling onto her stomach and propping her chin on her hands. She grinned at Olivia and said, “Now, Sister, tell me all about these five dates.”
“I think the drizzle is finally easin’ off,” Olivia said two days later when they were on their way back from church on the morning of Saint Patrick’s Day. “I thought the parade went very well. The children loved it, and Reverend Michaels gave one of his best sermons during the service.”
She knew she was babbling, but she could not help it, not with Edan sitting so stony-faced on the opposite seat. Throughout the morning, he had spoken only when spoken to, keeping his distance. Now, he was staring out the window.
The last couple of days had been enjoyable because Olivia and Eileen had spent a lot of time together. But on the other hand, they had turned tortuous. Olivia’s hope that she and Edan had reached a new understanding had been cruelly dashed. At first, she had not minded too much not seeing him. She had just thought he was very busy when he did not appear at all during the daytime. But when she and Eileen had gone down for supper two nights ago, to her despair, he had been just as taciturn and cold towards her as before.
It was then that she realized he had actively been avoiding her since they had spent the night together, and she had been fretting about it ever since. She had been so looking forward to the party, believing he had opened up at last and all would be well between them. Now, she felt only nervous trepidation and a deep sense of frustration.
“I think everyone enjoyed the parade,” Eileen said, pulling Olivia out of her thoughts. “They seemed to appreciate all the hard work that went into organizin’ it.”
“Aye, I think so too, lass,” Greta piped up. “And Olivia, ye neednae worry so much about the weather. The party will be inside, so it can rain all it likes. We’ll still enjoy the celebrations. Old Saint Patrick, God bless his soul, will have nothin’ to complain about on that score,” she added with a chuckle.
Olivia joined in the laughter, albeit hers was a little strained, and even Eden’s lips twitched at his grandmother’s jest.
“Ladies and gentlemen, me wife and I welcome ye all to our home, and thank ye for comin’ to help us celebrate the Feast of Saint Patrick. We’re very glad to see ye all gathered here in yer finery. Now, we want ye all to enjoy yerselves. There’s plenty of food and drink, we’ll have some rousin’ tunes, and, of course, I want to see ye all on the floor dancin’.”
There was applause and some cheers and hoots. Edan laughed, every inch the jovial, welcoming host.
When the noise died down, he continued, “I can tell ye’re all keen for me to stop talkin’ so ye can get on with the proper business of the evening. So, without further ado, I declare this party open!”
There was more clapping, and a huge cheer went up as the group of musicians stationed at one end of the dais struck up a merry tune with fiddles and drums. The buzz of conversation and laughter quickly became a roar. An army of servers moved among the guests with jugs of ale and flagons of wine. Tables laden with a panoply of dishes were arranged along the edges of the room, making room for a large dance floor in the center.
Olivia saw and heard it all as she stood motionless next to her husband, her arm linked with his, the warm, wide smile of a welcoming hostess fixed on her face as he made his speech. She looked out over the hall, its walls and columns lavishly adornedwith the brightly colored decorations she had helped make for the occasion.
The scene was everything she had hoped and planned for, a kaleidoscope of color and gaiety and music, all illuminated by the glow of the giant chandeliers overhead and the fires blazing in the two massive fireplaces on either side of the enormous room. The hall was filled with a warm, inviting ambiance conducive to celebration.
Yet, the convivial atmosphere and her enjoyment were tainted by Edan’s coldness towards her.
How funny it isthat nae a single one of them would guess from lookin’ at us that me husband has hardly looked at me nor spoken a word to me since I got here.
But as hurtful as his aloofness was on such a night, she was determined to enjoy the party she had worked so hard to help organize.
She slipped her arm from Edan’s and turned to her sister, who was standing next to her, and took her arm instead. “Come, Sister, let’s have some wine and get into the spirit of the occasion,” she said brightly, steering Eileen towards the Laird’s table.
Greta was already comfortably seated there and was beaming benevolently at the partygoers below.
“Aye, that would be nice. I’m feelin’ a wee bit shy with all these strangers, and a sip or two of wine will help me feel more at ease. I’m determined to enjoy meself,” Eileen declared as she sat next to Greta.
