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She intended to explore the keep, particularly its storeroom, and evaluate her new life.
Mae arrived a few minutes later with another maid, who also greeted Nora politely. They brought her hot water and a basket of new clothes for her to choose from. Nora despised being given things, but given her father's most recent act of cruelty, she had no choice but to accept the clothes. They were just abouther size.
She took a hot bath and put on one of the dresses. There was a looking glass right outside the washroom, but she chose to ignore it for the time being.
Nora walked down the corridorwith Mae,lookingdown the hall to the other wing.
“Where is the Laird’s chamber?” she asked.
“Behind us, milady,” the girl said. Nora was surprised to find the Laird’s room lay next to hers. “It is the door next to yer door.”
She hadn't noticed the night before. She had also underestimated the significance of his gesture when he allowed her to change her bedroom if she so desired.
He doesn't mind being near me.
Nora found it odd, given that her father had always preferred to be as far away from them as possible. She also realized it meant he could visit her whenever he wanted. As a new bride, she knew it was only a matter of time before she and her husband discussed about producing an heir…
Nora would have preferred to avoid such conversations. She was married now, but she didn't think her new status would make her feel any better. As a result, she was relieved that Laird McKay had left the keep. She knew she didn't have the strength to face him just yet.
So she followed Mae, excited for the rest of her day.
Nora admired the build of the keep, though it was old and needed love. The world outside could be seen through the windows that ran the length of the spiral stairwell. Thelonger she walked inside the wood and stone structure, the more she grew accustomed to it. The smell of the oil lamps mounted on the walls made her dizzy.
“Would ye wish to go outside, milady? The day is beautiful for walking and the fields run wild with flowers and trees. I could take ye to the stream, if ye wish it,” Mae offered, who was eager to leave the keep eventually and be allowed the privilege of riding around the clan’s lands in the carriage.
Nora considered her offer, but turned it down. She didn’t want to leave just yet.
“I would like to see the keep’s stores,” she replied, and Mae led her down eagerly.
Nora followed Mae into the storeroom. There was a large wooden door that was unlocked. Mae pushed it aside and led them into the room.
They leave their storeroom unlocked.
The pantry in her house was always shut. Shewas certain that if her father ever had such a large storeroom, it would be guarded.
She smiled at the thought. She would have shared it with her sister, but—
“The storeroom, milady.”
The room was sparsely filled and Nora found herself worried about the finances of clan McKay. Was that why he sought my father out? Was that why he wished to wed his daughter?
“Why is there so little?” Nora dared to ask.
“The Laird McKay wishes we store only as much as we can eat. The rest is given to the clansmen and women, but it is never enough, not really,” Mae replied.
She had expected fear from the servants of the brutish Highlander. When she arrived at his keep, however, things were very different. So far, the servantsdid not appear wealthy or well-fed, but they were also not afraid.
She wondered if theypretended, but the thought seemedexcessive. If her husband was truly an ogre, his people would show it.
The womenwalked out of the storeroom,Nora donning athoughtful expression on her face. She was overcome by a lonely sensation.
“What plagues your thoughts, milady?” Mae asked quietly.
“Mere thoughts.” She tried to give a bright smile. “Where are we headed?”
“The gardens, milady. But I daenae think we should walk. I will have the stable boys ready a carriage for us.”
Nora was not looking forward to riding in a carriage after her long journey the night before. The sun, however, was already high in the sky, rendering a possiblewalk unbearably hot.
