“Make haste, my lovelies,” Meg said to her helpers. “We’ve many a customer to see to on this bitterly cold evening.”
In no time at all, the table was set with steaming bowls of barley stew, a platter of thickly sliced bread, heavily buttered, mugs filled with their requested toddies, and pitchers of small ale and tankards to hold it. Sidling over to the ladies, Meg leaned in close and spoke in a lowered voice. “The necessary house is much too cold on a night like this, but if ye have need of it, I can take ye to the corner me and the maids use. There’s water for washing, too, and a curtain to hide ye from prying eyes.”
“That would be wonderful.” Merry nudged Serendipity into motion. “Come along, sister. Let us take care of ourselves so we can fully enjoy this wonderful feast.”
Still a bit pale and obviously struggling with the circumstances, Serendipity went along without a word.
“Have ye ever in all yer borned days met such a bright-spirited lady?” Malcolm asked as he reached for a slice of bread.
Duncan smacked his hand away. “Wait till they return. Did ye leave yer manners outside?”
“Lady Merry is the happiest, most sweet-natured of all the sisters.” Jasper dragged off his hat and scooted closer to the table. “But heaven help ye if ye ever stir her ire, ’cause there’ll not be enough of you left to pray over by the time she gets done with you.”
“What about her sister?” Eyeing Duncan, Malcolm hesitantly reached for one of the steaming mugs. “She seems…overwrought.”
“Ye may drink,” Duncan said, “but no eating until the ladies return.”
Jasper hurried to pick up his own mug and took a long sip. “Lady Serendipity been watching over all six of them girls ever since their mother died. She promised the duchess that she’d not marry till all her sisters was happily settled with husbands of their own.” He leaned in closer, almost whispering. “All seven have to marry for love—not status—for the young duke to come into the full of his inheritance. Richer than Croesus, they are, and he has to settle for an allowance until all his sisters find good men who love them.”
“And has Lady Merry found hers?” Duncan asked, then glared at Malcolm, daring his insolent brother to make one sideways comment.
Jasper shook his head and licked his lips while staring at his bowl of barley stew. “Lady Serendipity and Lady Merry are the last two still looking for husbands.” With a knowing grin, he shook his head. “Even though them two be of age, neither is in any hurry to walk down the aisle.” Then he frowned. “Lady Merry might be closer to wanting to find a man than Lady Serendipity, though. She loves babies more than anything and wants a houseful of her own someday.”
“She canna accomplish that without a husband,” Malcolm said.
“No,” Jasper agreed, “but even though she be bright spirited, don’t be fooled into thinking she don’t know what’s what. Sharp one, she is, and kind all the way to her bones, but she’ll not settle for any man who thinks a woman should always agree with her husband and do whatever he wishes. She has a mind of her own.” He took another long draught from his mug. “Even His Grace knows better than to cross her.”
Duncan sipped the warmed rum, savoring its buttery spiciness. “Good to know.”
Malcolm eyed him with a knowing smirk. “And who allowed his sour disposition to show his arse within minutes of pulling the woman out of the river?”
“I was merely curt because of the situation.”
Malcolm snorted. “Ye were a rude arse, and ye know it.” He wrinkled his nose before taking another sip. “What was that old saying Mother always used? Ye catch more flies with honey?”
“Haud yer wheeshtor ye can bed down with the horses this evening.”
Malcolm laughed, then lifted his mug in a toast, signaling that the women had returned. “Ladies—come and enjoy. This drink will warm yer wame.”
Merry gave him a dubious look as she and Serendipity took their seats. “What is awame, exactly?”
“’Tis what we Scots call yer belly, my lady.” Duncan slid the last two remaining mugs closer to the ladies. “Beg pardon for such explicit language.” He shot his brother a quelling glare.
“Oh, it is very good,” Merry said after a sip, then frowned at the untouched food on the table. “Forgive us for delaying your meal. Eat, now. I know everyone must be famished. I know I am.”
Jasper and Malcolm hurried to obey, but Duncan took his time.
“Seri?” Merry put a mug in her sister’s hands and closed her fingers around it. “We are all right now. In the morning, we shall lease a carriage and start home. All will be well. I promise.”
“Aye, Lady Serendipity, and we shall guard the two of ye this evening. No harm will come to either of ye. I swear it.” Duncan was determined to make peace with the woman. He knew he had not impressed her with his behavior.
A tear streaked down Serendipity’s cheek, making her duck her head and shy away. “Forgive me. I am usually much better than this. But water…the river…” She clutched Merry’s arm. “When I saw you pulling Merry from the carriage, I was so afraid I was about to lose her.”
“But we are safe now,” Merry said ever so gently as she hugged Serendipity close. “Now drink and eat. If I bring you home ill, Chancewill be overwrought. You know he cannot manage without you.”
Serendipity blushed, took a sip from her mug, and managed a tremulous smile. “This is very good.”
“The barley stew and bread are even better.” Merry slid a bowl closer to her sister and nodded. “Eat, Seri. It will make you feel so much better.”
