Page 109 of Edge of Yesterday

“Is that so?”

Ire flared and she leapt to her feet. “I understand ye are angry, but ye act as if I planned this.”

“Did ye?” he asked in a soft voice.

“Are ye daft?” she snapped. “I cannae begin to imagine how I might have carried out such a plot. And Crowe—” Red hot fury twisted through her. “Do ye think for a moment I would put your life in danger by having ye fight him?”

Cailean’s gaze sharpened. “Ye think he is a better swordsman?”

“Men!” Julianna threw her hands in the air. “Sweet Jesu, ‘tis true, pride does go before the fall.”

“You should know, my lady.”

She yanked her chin up. “I will do penance for my lust—and ye may rest assured I willnae make such a mistake again.”

“Which mistake?” He lifted a brow. “Lusting, or getting caught?”

She almost shouted ‘Both!’ but snapped her mouth shut when Lennox stepped from the kitchens. Their mother wasn’t with him.

Anxiety knotted her belly.

Lennox reached them and said, “Our mother is gone for the afternoon visiting some of Father’s tenants.” He looked at Cailean. “Cailean, she asked that ye work with our warriors sparring today.”

He canted his head. “Of course.”

Lennox turned to her. “She wants ye to advise the women in the kitchens. They will need a festive menu. Guests are coming for an evening feast.”

“Visitors? Who?” She was in no mood for company and neither would her mother be when she learned her only daughter had married behind her back. She felt the floor tilting beneath her. “Cook can see to the meal.” She spoke as calmly as she could. “I will be in my room.”

“Julianna.” Lennox grasped her arm. “Our mother expects ye to oversee the evening.”

She hesitated. Her mother was going to be furious at the mess Julianna had made while at Reay Abbey. It was probably better not to further anger her by flouting her orders.

Julianna gave a curt nod. “I will speak with Cook. But first I will refresh myself.” Before her brother—or anyone—could object, she turned and headed for her bedchamber. She managed to reach the stairs, out of sight of Cailean and Lennox, before the tears broke through her resolve.

~*~

A mouthwatering blend of baking bread and roasting meat hung heavy in the kitchens, as did the stronger smell of frying onions and garlic. Sacks of grain and flour had been dragged into the kitchens from the darker, cooler storerooms. Everyone in the vast room busied themselves with the final preparations for the evening. Julianna was exhausted and glad for the fatigue. Perhaps tonight she would enjoy the sleep of the dead. Then her mother entered the kitchens and knew she wouldn’t find peace tonight or tomorrow night or the next.

“How are the preparations coming?” Her mother paused before her.

Though she didn’t say it—didn’t have to say it—Julianna knew her mother meant, I know all is well because you will not shame me.

”Everything is as you planned,” she replied.

Her mother cast her a sideways glance. “We shall see.”

Two laundresses rushed past, arms laden with clean table linens, the pristine white cloth smelling of heather and thyme. They vanished into the torchlit hall.

Julianna smoothed the folds of her skirts. “What time will your guests arrive?”

“Any moment.”

Julianna glanced at the doorway. Should she find Lennox and Cailean, or simply take her mother aside and tell her what happened? Julianna sighed. “I must speak with ye, Mother.”

“Aye.” Her mother’s eyes shifted to her.

She stared for a long moment and Julianna recalled as a child, her mother sitting her down and asking her who had taken the bread from the kitchen in the middle of the night. Julianna knew the new kitchen maid had taken the bread. The girl’s father had died and the family of six didn’t have nearly enough to go around. Julianna had confessed to the crime. Her mother ordered her to her bed for the day, but Julianna later learned that she had also sent enough food for the family to last the winter.