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“Alright,” she nodded.
Mae summoned a servant lad and gave the orders. Nora watched the boy run off, eager to comply.
A few moments later, they reached the carriage..
“Are you well seated?” Mae asked tentatively as they stepped into the coach.
Nora nodded and adjusted her seat. The carriage was not the same as the one she had used the night before. She was relieved to discover that the seats in this one were comfortable.
“Ye seem very occupied, milady. May I speak frankly?”
“You may,” Nora replied curiously.
“I ken that ye fear our laird, but ye need nae. The rumors are false.”
“Which one?” Nora asked playfully. “How do you know what I have heard? Or that I have heard anything at all?”
“People say he is a brute, I ken. Laird McKay is nae one, that I swear. Ye must nae believe the gossiping,” Mae insisted.
The carriage ground to a halt. “Where are we?” Nora asked.
“The gardens, milady,” Mae replied.
There were trees all over, the nature was radiantly green. The day was hot, and Nora craved shade, but she knew spending time outside would be beneficial. They sat on a bench under the shadowof a large tree. Nora could see the clan's people going about their business in the village beyond the hills.
“Ye will think about what I have said, will ye, milady?” Mae asked her once they had settled.
Nora wondered if she could trust the woman. With a sigh, she said, “I will remember your words. But they still do not settle in my mind. I am about your age, and I have been wedded off to a man in a new land. I have been taken from my home. I need to know what the Laird is really like.” Nora glanced at Mae, who seemed to be in thought about all she knew.
“Ye are much kinder than I expected,” Mae admitted nervously. Her eyes shone with admiration.
“Then tell me all you know to be true.”
Mae appeared to be thinking for a while and then nodded.
“The clan has always loved Laird McKay. There is nae a child, woman or man who does nae adore him. He was kind and strong, but in the past few years…” Her face fell. “The Laird has been withdrawn,” she said.
“Do you know the reason for his sudden change?” Nora pushed her further, but they were quickly distracted by distant giggles. She overheard a little girl laughing and jumpingaround as a woman hurried behind her.
“Do not run so quickly, Lady Leah,” she called.
Lady Leah…
“Is she Jonan’s daughter?” Nora gasped.
“Aye, milady. That is the Lady Leah McKay,” Mae replied.
Leah stopped to inspect a pile of rocks. Nora wondered if shewould pick one up, but she didn't; she justwaited for her nurse to arrive.
“Ye stare at her so intently,” Mae said, almost jolting her out of her daze.
“She is a pretty little girl. Not a hair of hers seems out of place.”
“That’s our Lady Leah, aye,” Mae said. There was something akin to pride in her voice.
At that moment, Leah turned to them and waved. Nora smiled and waved back.
“She is very friendly. Why, I wish she were a man! She would rule so well,” Mae said through a laugh.
