Tyra chattered on as they wound their way through the many passageways on the way to the sewing chamber. She was cheerful that morning and Annora couldn’t help but wonder if that was because Edmund was busy elsewhere and it was unlikely she’d have to confront him again.
She had made her dislike of him clear, yet she was warm toward Annora.
“Ye’ll find our seamstress, Mistress Elyne is very clever. She kens all the latest fashions from Rome and Paris.”
“Oh?”
“Aye, when the sellers bring their wares, velvets and brocade, they bring her drawings of what the ladies are wearing.”
“So, that accounts fer the lovely velvet gown you so kindly loaned tae me?”
Tyra nodded, her eyes sparkling. “It suits ye well, the color is perfect fer yer bonnie yellow hair.”
Annora smiled at the compliment. “I am grateful fer yer generosity.”
Tyra cast her a quizzical look, arching an eyebrow. “Well, I ken ye and Master Edmund were set upon by privateers, and that all yer belongings were lost tae them.”
Annora nodded cautiously. There was no accounting for what Tyra might have been told and she had no wish to expand further. “Aye, it was a most unfortunate incident.”
Tyra nodded. “Aye.” She waited as if expecting more detail to emerge but when Annora remained resolutely silent, she huffed in a breath. “Mistress Elyne is working on the gown fer me wedding tae the Laird MacDonald and sewing everything fer me trousseau. I can hardly wait, I am looking forward tae it so much.”
“And ye will leave Scorrybreac?”
“That depends, of course. If yer husband daesnae take the lairdship it may well fall tae me tae take on the leadership of the clan.” She smiled. “And I am indeed fortunate that me beloved Harris will be beside me at all times, should such a thing come tae pass.”
“Is that something ye two have already decided?”
“Oh yes,” Tyra replied at once. “Harris will make a great leader fer the MacNeacails, should that come tae pass.”
Annora said nothing, but Tyra’s comment set her to wondering.
They came to a halt beside a studded timber door leading out of the keep. Tyra unlatched the heavy door and swung it open. It led them to a tiny walled courtyard filled with herbs and climbing plants. A paved pathway led them to another small stone building.
“Hello,” Tyra called when they reached the open doorway.
A tiny, pixie-like woman, her graying hair in an untidy pile on top of her head, hurried over. She had dozens of steel pins fastened to the shoulder of her woolen kirtle, several bright lengths of ribbon hanging around her neck, and a ball of thread in her hand.
“Mistress Elyne , this is me new friend, the Lady Annora.”
The woman curtsied daintily, looking Annora up and down.
“So, this is the lady who has naught tae wear.” Her lips quirked in a mischievous smile as she took in the four folded lengths of fabric Annora had tucked under her arm.
She guided them into the cramped little room which was occupied by two busy young girls. One of them was sewing a silk chemise with the finest of stitching, while the other was embroidering flowers on the hem of a pale green kirtle.
Annora grinned. The pleasant company and the prospect of new gowns gladdened her heart. She was laughing with the others about some wicked morsel concerning a squire who may or may not have been seen leaving a certain lady’s chamber, when there was a gentle knock at the door. It was Edmund.
She got to her feet and hurried out, somewhat surprised to see him there.
“I dinnae wish tae disturb ye, me lady, I merely wish tae let ye ken I must away into the countryside tae see tae some business.”
She grinned up at him. The prospect of another ride with Edmund set her heart hammering. Her thoughts shot back to the kiss they’d shared at the Faery Glen. Recalling the touch of his lips on hers and being swept into his strong arms caused little beats of heat to gather insider he. He looked so bold standing there, the bright sun glinting in his dark hair, his green-gold eyes lighting up as he looked at her.
“I can finish me fitting with the seamstress another day and come wi’ ye.”
He shook his head, giving a rueful sigh. “I wish it could be, but I’ll be seeing tae a dispute I’ve been called on tae help settle and I’ll nae be able tae see tae yer safety. Mayhap tomorrow or the next day we’ll ride together again.”
Taking her hand, he pressed it briefly to his lips. “Take care, me lady. I will see ye fer supper.”
