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It surprised Reena that her own quarters were located in the keep. They were larger than she had expected, and the room was furnished with not only a good-size bed but also a large table more than sufficient for mapping. She would have enough room to place her inkwells, quills, maps and several candles.
Presently, she was on her way to the woods behind Brigid’s cottage to look for bird feathers that would make good quills. She wanted to make certain that she had a good supply before winter set in. Magnus had promised she would have sufficient mapping material, including quills, ink and paper, but she favored making her own quills.
Thomas was outside Brigid’s cottage, clearing the front of overgrown weeds and brush. He and Brigid had become good friends, and it was he who had seen to the repair of her cottage. Her roof thatching had been repaired, the window shutters were secure, and the hearth was in good working condition, Thomas having insisted she would be safe and warm when winter’s chill set in. And he had promised her a fine garden in the spring, which was why he had set to work now clearing the land.
Thomas greeted her with a wave. “Good timing. Brigid just made fresh mulled cider.”
Reena licked her lips. “She makes the best mulled cider.”
Thomas brushed his hands off. “Magnus thinks the same, he is enjoying some now.”
Reena felt the familiar tug to her tummy, but she ignored it. She’d realized over the last week or so that she found Magnus to her liking. He was handsome enough, but that was not what attracted her to him. She enjoyed talking with him on a variety of subjects, sharing opinions and being treated with equal intelligence. He expected no womanly chores from her and encouraged her to pursue her drawing skills and, of course, work on her maps. He often shared his experiences of other lands, detailing how difficult it had been at times to traverse unknown terrain.
And she knew in her heart that Magnus could be no more than a friend. She was not the type of woman he could care for; being small in size and having lost weight, she resembled a young lad. Even with weight she did not possess the appealing body that Brigid had, and she doubted she would ever have such an alluring shape. Then there were her simple features, nothing that would make a man take notice.
She was definitely not the type of woman Magnus could love, and she did not want to foolishly lose her heart to someone who could never love her. Magnus and Brigid suited each other well, and she would do well to remember that.
Therefore it was not surprising that she envied her friend Brigid, though it was a friendly envy, since she wanted very much for Brigid to be happy again, and she would have Magnus as a good friend as well. Besides, she doubted she would find love, and she did not wish to waste time pursuing a dream that would never come true.
And she always had Horace. The little pup had grown a little bigger and followed her wherever she went, though the woods frightened him, and he would often wait for her at Brigid’s cottage, where she would return to find him curled sound asleep in front of the warm hearth or waiting impatiently at the front door.
She followed Thomas into the cottage, Horace leading the way.
Magnus was laughing and Brigid was smiling when they joined them, and Reena smiled along with them, happy to see her friend enjoying life once again. Magnus was good for her, and she was glad she had seen to it that the two were often placed in each other’s paths, though today their company was not of her doing.
“Reena,” Brigid said, reaching to fill a tankard. “Just in time for cinnamon cakes and cider.”
Thomas sat opposite Magnus at the table, and she sat at the opposite end from Brigid. Horace plopped down beside Brigid, knowing she would give him food in good time.
Reena had barely taken a bite of her cake when a knock sounded at the door.
Brigid bid her visitor welcome.
Justin, the tanner, entered. “I am truly sorry to interrupt.”
“Is there a problem?” Magnus asked, knowing the young man, since he found his talents useful in producing the leather tunics he favored. He was a personable young man, average in height and quiet in nature.
“Nay, my lord, I was hoping to have a word with Reena.”
Reena grabbed her cinnamon cake and one for Justin, and she stood before she realized that Brigid was looking at her strangely and Thomas was holding a beefy hand to his mouth to hide his smile.
Reena mentally shook her head, not wanting to openly admit she’d once again given no thought to seeking Magnus’s permission to leave when in his presence. Not that he strictly demanded such obedience, especially when he and she shared time together, but when in the company of others, it was proper and courteous for her to do so.
Justin quickly sought to correct her mistake. “My lord, I will only take a moment of Reena’s time.”
“That is good, since her cider will chill if she is gone too long.”
Reena was surprised at his response; he seemed annoyed at her brief absence.
She hurried out the door with Justin, handing him a cake as they walked a short distance away from the cottage.
Justin was apologetic. “I am sorry to bother you, but I needed to talk with someone, and you have often lent a gracious and understanding ear to me.”
She placed her hand on his arm. “I do not mind listening. What troubles you?”
“How do you know I feel troubled?”
“You have not touched Brigid’s cinnamon cake, and no one can resist Brigid’s cinnamon cakes.”
