Lady Elsea was descending the steps. Blond and beautiful, she appeared as elegant as always in a finely woven red and green plaid arisaid, silken ivory skirts peeking out the front. Thank goodness she was here. Catriona tried to assess the other woman's mood or thoughts, but her expression remained polite and blank. But when she noticed Catriona, her eyes widened, and her face blanched.
Elsea shot a panicked look toward the entrance, then at the men conversing amongst themselves. Was she checking to see if Brodie had arrived with her?
"Lady Catriona." Elsea came closer and curtsied. "I'm glad you've come to pay us a visit."
Catriona returned the curtsey. "'Tis wonderful to see you again, my friend." She truly had always considered Elsea a friend and had hoped to one day be her sister-in-law.
"Did Brodie come with you?" Glancing over the crowd again, Elsea kept her voice low.
"Nay."
"Lady Catriona is now married to Cousin Torr," Lenora broke in, smiling.
"Oh." Elsea brightened. "My congratulations to you both."
Feeling guilty for the perpetual lie, Catriona smiled tightly. "I thank you. You're looking as beautiful as ever." She had always thought Elsea incredibly lovely with her platinum hair and snowy skin. She and Brodie had made a striking couple, her light to his dark.
"Please excuse me. I must see how the supper preparations are coming along." Lenora hastened away.
"Can we talk?" Elsea asked.
"Of course." 'Twas precisely what Catriona wanted. She followed Elsea to a private corner within the great hall. They sat in a small grouping of chairs flanked on two sides by tapestries, well away from everyone.
"How long have you been married to Torr?" Elsea asked.
"We wed a month ago," Catriona forced herself to say, then smiled again.
Elsea watched her as if waiting for her to reveal more. Unsettled, Catriona could not even think clearly enough to formulate more lies in her head. She hated lies, and 'twas difficult for her to keep this massive one going.
"Are you on your honeymoon, then?" Elsea wondered.
"You might say that. We spent some time with his clan."
"I'm happy for you and Torr." Elsea glanced toward the men and their rumbling talk on the other end of the room. Even though Elsea knew Brodie was not there... had she hoped to see him? The lady's dilated pupils revealed her uneasiness despite her great control.
With them being alone, 'twas the perfect time to get to the reason for their visit.
"Did you marry?" Catriona asked.
"Nay."
"Brodie would not wish me to tell you this but... he misses you."
"Indeed?" Elsea lifted a skeptical brow.
"Aye, he wishes you had never left," Catriona rushed to add, hating that she had to lie and manipulate so.
Elsea's gaze scanned over the men again. "Where is he?"
"At Farspag."
"Oh. Is he well?"
"His health is fine, but..." Catriona hesitated, trying to find the best way to broach the subject. She leaned forward and whispered, "You know about the curse, aye?"
Elsea nodded. "Of course."
"Brodie must marry soon... rather, he must find someone to love and trust... in order to abolish the curse."
