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Robbie grinned, not mistaking the direction of her gaze. “You will be familiar with our plaid, I am certain. I look forward to the time when you will wear my colours yourself, Kat. I believe the MacKinnon tartan will be most fetching on you.”
“I…yes, I am sure. At least, I hope…”
He bent to kiss her cheek, then murmured in her ear, for her only, “I do not object at all if you wish to stare at my sporran, but perhaps you might make your interest a little less obvious.”
Heat soared from her chest to engulf her fair cheeks. Dismayed, Katherine stumbled over her apology. “My lord, I did not mean…”
His grin widened. “You disappoint me, Kat. But be assured, I shall be delighted to satisfy any curiosity you may harbour.”
“I was not… At least, I am interested in your traditions, of course, but I would never…”
He slung an arm around her shoulders. “I am teasing ye, sweetheart. I did not mean to upset ye.”
Katherine gathered her frazzled wits. “You did not. I was simply…taken by surprise. I had forgotten your penchant for plain-speaking, laird.” She drew in a shuddering breath and sought to restore some semblance of propriety. “I trust you are well, my lord.”
He kissed her. On the mouth, right here in full view of his people and hers. “Aye, lass. Well enough, and better for seeing you.”
“Oh. I… I see.”
If he was aware of her continued discomfiture, he chose to ignore it. The earl tightened his arm across her shoulders and began to steer her in the direction of the keep. “It will be dark soon, so too late for a tour. I shall show you around properly tomorrow. Come inside, everyone. We have refreshments ready. You must be hungry after your journey.”
Katherine and Robbie led the way, followed by Stephen, Flora, and the handful of servants who had accompanied them. Frances had stayed behind at Elborne to watch over the children, and Richard was not yet returned from London, though he was expected any day.
The Roxburghe hall was smaller than that at Elborne, but scrupulously clean. The aroma of fresh rushes filled the air. The furniture was solid, dark oak, and, apart from a few chests and various stools, consisted of a huge table set on a raised dais, with benches running the full length on both sides.
A fire roared in the grate, and several lanky hounds lounged about the hearth. One of them, a huge, shaggy grey animal, roused enough to get to his feet and amble over the investigate the visitors.
Katherine paused. She was not overly fond of dogs, especially those which might rival a donkey in size.
“Have no fear of old Solomon,” Robbie said. “He is just a gentle giant.” He tickled the hound’s ears, and the dog responded by licking his hand.
Katherine was not convinced but stood her ground while the animal paced around her, sniffing at her skirts. Eventually, he licked her fingers also.
“Oh. His tongue is so soft,” she exclaimed. I always thought they were rough. Dogs’ tongues, I mean.”
Robbie grinned at her. “He likes you, and Solomon is a good judge. You have made your second friend here, Kat.”
“My second friend?” She furrowed her brow.
“Of course. I am your first. Come, be seated. Ah, here is Mattie.”
Matilda MacKinnon had returned to Scotland with her husband and baby. She hurried forward to embrace Flora, then Katherine.
“I am so glad you came,” she declared. “We shall see a lot of each other, I am sure.”
“I hope so. Do you live here?” Katherine enquired.
Mattie shook her head. “Charles and I normally live at Byrness, which is about two days’ ride from here. But Charles has been helping the laird to get things set to rights. There was some…disorganisation while both Robbie and Flora were away.”
Katherine was well aware of the malicious actions of Angus MacKinnon who had left Flora to rot with the nuns at St Mary’s, in retaliation for having been held to ransom by Stephen. He had a genuine grievance, Katherine would allow that, but he had no call to exact his revenge on Flora and her baby. The man had been banished to Byrness, so she would be spared the need to make his acquaintance, at least for a while.
“Come. Ye will sit beside me, will ye not?” Mattie slid along one of the benches, drawing Katherine with her. “I shall point everyone out to ye.”
CHAPTERSEVEN
Katherine’s head was spinning. She was usually good at remembering names and faces, she had been trained for it and the skill was ingrained, but the Scottish names were unfamiliar, and some she found near enough impossible to pronounce.
It will come, in time…
