Lucas leaned back in his chair and thought about his wife. He was hard at work in his father’s study, his study now that he was laird, and decided to take a small break from Cadney affairs to daydream about his bride. Ella had kissed him lightly in the morning and headed to the kitchens straight away to familiarize herself with Mrs. Thomas. In the short week, since they had wed, he was ever impressed by the ease with which she took to being married to the Laird of a large and boisterous clan of Highlanders. He thought she was settling into her role as Lady of Keep quite well. His people had already liked her for saving his life, but now seeing her doing her best to learn the ways of the clan, they were beginning to love her. He loved her as well, but he didn’t want to reveal that part of his heart to her just yet, he wanted to ensure she was completely safe and completely free when he confessed his true love for his wife. He wanted no doubt or obligation to cloud her thinking when she told him she loved him back. He was still unsure of her feelings, but it didn’t matter, he knew she liked him, liked his company, she would grow to love him. She was his.

Magnus came in from his morning rounds with the men. They had spent every morning going over the ledgers and doing what needed to be done to secure the keep before winter. Being the Laird came with stress and responsibility. Even though Lucas had been preparing for it his whole life, he still found the work exhausting.

“How goes the men?”

“Och, a bunch of lazy shites. But I’ve managed tae get them back in some kind of fightin’ condition. They don’t see th’ need. I try tae tell them there is always need,” Magnus said, scratching his thick red hair. He looked like an angry bear and Lucas knew the men got no end of joy by poking him.

“And Edina? Have we found a place for her yet?”

“Aye. We sent her tae the MacKenzie keep just this mornin’. They had need of kitchen help, and Edina will fit in nicely. Although I bade Peter and Thomas to go with her tae keep an eye on the lass, ye ken. The boys were happy tae go. Those MacKenzie lasses are a sight tae see if I remember right. Peter and Thomas both are young, they’ll get their fill.” Lucas laughed with Magnus, but he knew he would never need to look at another MacKenzie lass again. He had everything he needed in a woman in Ella. His pants tightened just thinking about his bride and the things she did to him in the dark of their bedchamber.

“As long as they don’t lose sight of the twit in the process. I’m still not sure she won’t come back an’ try another trap for Ella.”

“Aye, I agree. No harm will come to the lass, by Edina or any other hand. Which reminds me we hae another problem, Laird,” Magnus said, turning serious.

“Aye?”

“A letter came for ye, it’s from Evans.”

A thick lump of bile formed in Lucas’s throat. “Give it tae me.”

Mangus handed over the letter, it was unopened and Lucas appreciated Magnus’s discretion. He read over the letter and seethed. Bastard. “It’s a warning.” He handed the letter to Magnus who read it over slowly.

“Aye, ‘tis at that. It seems he dissnae ken who ye are, who the new Laird is, and Ella is now the lady of the keep.”

“What dae ye make of it?”

“The letter was written a week back, from Dunkeld. I think he means tae take back what he thinks is his.”

“All of the formal, ‘sirs and ‘kindly’ that he fills the page with is cooshite,” Lucas said, he began to pace the room. He knew this day would come. How did Evans even trace Ella back to MacGille land? Was one of his men a traitor to the clan, or to Scotland? He couldn’t believe that was it. There had to be another way. Perhaps the soldier that escaped him at the pond had recognized him as a MacGille? He thought of Fergus and Sarah, hoping they were safe.

“I agree, th’ letter is forced in its polite language. It was dated a week back. That means if he means tae march his men tae Cadney we can expect him in maybe a fortnight? We hae a fight comin’ and we need tae get ready,” Magnus replied.

“There is no mention in the letter that he’s marching,” Lucas said.

“Och, ye ken the English. He wouldnae tell us in advance, would he?” Lucas knew Magnus was right. There was no way Evans would peacefully accept Ella was married to the Laird of the clan. If he wasn’t marching already, he would be soon. It was exactly as Lucas feared, Evans would not give up until he had Ella, and now the clan will come under fire.

“I will write back tae him, advise him the lass is under my protection. See if he backs down.”

“What will ye tell Lady MacGille, Ella?”

“Nothing yet. Let’s not worry the lass. I’ll not ask ye tae lie tae yer wife, but if ye could keep the letter under wraps for a bit until we hear back from the bastard. Meanwhile we get the men ready, I would appreciate it.” Magnus nodded in agreement, as Lucas continued. “If all goes well, by the time the devil reaches the gates, we’ll be ready for him. Maybe when he learns of the marriage, he will stand down.” As the words came out of his mouth Lucas knew it was a lie. Evans would never stand down. He didn’t want him too. He wanted an excuse to kill the wretch.

“And if he stands down and accepts the marriage, will ye let him live?”

“Nay, the moment he sets foot on MacGille land, he is a dead man.” He thought back to Ella’s plea at the pond. She didn’t want bloodshed, she would not want him to put his life or the life of his men in jeopardy. As sure as he knew Evans would not stand down and leave Ella to live a safe and happy life, he knew that he would kill Evans. Not only to protect his bride, but to avenge his father. He only hoped Ella would be able to forgive him.

Being lady of the keep was turning out to be more fun than Ella could’ve imagined. She was learning about the daily life of the women who kept things running. More than learning, she was becoming accepted. Mrs. Thomas eagerly put her to work in the kitchens, and Ella found the older buxom woman to be a demanding mistress, that she did not want to let down.

It took an immense amount of work to keep the clan fed, there was picking and pulling of vegetables and herbs. Dressing and preparing of game meat, gathering of eggs, and baking of breads but in addition to the daily work there was also a need to preserve and prepare food to keep the clan healthy through the winter. Ella was amazed. In polite English society a lady would never be involved as intimately in the day-to-day running of a household. Sure, she would make overarching choices about trivial things like what to serve at a dinner, or what fabrics and silks would look best in which room, but to actually have a hand in the physical running of her home was unheard of. She found a new appreciation for maids like Gwen, who worked to the bone.

She also made sure to keep time for afternoon visits with Milly and Kelly. Even though she often saw them working in the kitchens or making visits outside the keep’s walls to the homes of those who were sick or elderly, taking an hour in the afternoon to just sit and learn about life in the clan, and the history of the MacGille families was the highlight of her day.

At least until she saw Lucas. She was returning to her chamber every night exhausted, but she made sure to save time for Lucas. He treated her as a treasure. Each night brought something more pleasurable than the last.

It was a particularly clear morning, and Ella wanted to take the opportunity of good weather to gather some of the late season herbs from the kitchen gardens.

“Go then, be off with ye, lass,” Mrs. Thomas grunted with her arms elbow deep cleaning a stubborn game bird.

“May I go with the lady too, Mrs. Thomas?” Violet asked. Ella was indeed becoming fond of the young maid. She showed an interest in learning how to be a healer, and with the clan’s current healer old and infirm, Mrs. Thomas, Kelly, and Ella all agreed that training Violet was a good plan for the future.

“Och, be off with both of ye then.”

Violet’s beaming smile gave Ella’s heart a tug. She took the girl by the arm and they headed out to the gardens.

“I wonder how many lovely days like this we will have before winter settles in?” Ella asked as she filled her basket with sprigs of late rosemary.

“Winter is verra harsh here miss, I hope ye’ll not be disheartened. There will be days ye won’t leave the castle at all for th’ blindin’ snow and wind.”

“Oh I love winter, ‘tis always been a favorite season of mine. Curling up by a roaring fire, reading.”

“Ye ken how tae read?”

“Aye, do you not know how?” Ella was constantly realizing that even in within the clan there was still small education disparities, but she firmly believed everyone should know how to read.

“Nay, when I was a girl I wanted tae learn me letters, but there was always work tae be done, and I was not given th’ time.” Violet turned her eyes downcast and shielded her face with her long auburn hair.

“Then when winter settles in, and we have time away from the kitchens I shall teach you!” Ella didn’t want to embarrass the girl any further, but teaching her to read would be an easy and important task she could do for her. “In fact, if you know of any other girls in the clan who would wish to learn we could have a class!” What an exciting and fun way to spend the cold winter months. She would engage Milly and Kelly to help.

“Do ye mean it my lady?” Violet asked hopefully.

“Of course! It would be my pleasure.”

“My lady, can I ask ye a question?”

“Of course, Violet. I hope you would consider us friends.”

“Aye, I was wonderin’ how did ye ken that the Laird was th’ one ye wanted tae marry? Ye see there is a lad, Thomas Graham, and he has asked me tae marry him, but I dinnae ken if he is the right one. Ye and th’ Laird seem so well matched, I thought ye might ken how I could be sure.”

She knew of Thomas Graham. Lucas thought him a strong soldier. Kelly had just yesterday told her that Magnus had sent Thomas to watch over Edina to keep her out of trouble with the Mackenzie’s. She would love to see Violet happily married. It was such a simple question, yet Ella found herself at a loss for an answer.

“I don’t know exactly,” she began. “Does even the sight of Thomas make yer heart flutter?”

“Aye, and when he is in the stables cooing tae his mare, I wish it was me he was whisperin’ tae.” Ella recognized the mixture of pleasure and torment in Violet’s eyes. The lass was smitten, that was for sure.

“Can you speak with him on any topic and know that the advice he gives you is true and comes from a place of concern and giving?”

“Oh Aye, he is an excellent friend. I can share anythin’ with him.”

Ella thought hard on her feelings for Lucas. She didn’t want to give Violet frivolous advice. What was the one thing that really separated him for her from any other man.

“Violet, can you imagine your life without him?”

“Nay, miss, I cannae.”

“Then I think you might be in love.”

“Ye are truly a blessing.” Ella was warmed by the compliment, but looking at the girl’s bright smile made her long for Amelia.

“Do you have any siblings Violet?” she asked.

“Nay, just me and me Ma. I’d always wished for a sister or even a brother tae share our time with.” Ella noted the wistful tone in the girl’s voice.

“I miss my sister, Amelia, every day. I think you would really like her.”

“If she’s anything like you miss. I’m sure I will love her.” Now that she was under the clan’s protection she wondered if it would be safe to write to her sister. Maybe she could compel her to visit, or even join her at Cadney. She vowed to speak to Lucas about the matter as soon as she saw him at the evening meal.