Chapter Ten
“What has you grinning so?”
The soft query pulled Liam’s attention from Nora, seated between Will and her friend, Sarah, at the high table. He glanced at his mother as he escorted her into the hall for the evening meal. At first, he almost ignored the question but he’d never bothered to hide his true feelings from her. So why bother now?
He admitted, “She’s here.”
“Who, dear?” His mother blinked in confusion.
With her hand over his forearm, he guided her across the hall. “Nora.”
“You care for her?”
Speaking his mind never hindered him in the least, and this instance was no different. He’d always spoken with openness to his kin. “Very much.”
“Ah, I see.” A delightful smile eased his mother’s delicate features while a spark of interest twinkled in her blue eyes.
Oh, he’d piqued her curiosity. Of that, he had no doubt. ’Twas rare for him to speak of a female to his mother. Come to think of the matter, he could not recall an instance when he’d ever spoken of any woman.
Nodding to a few of the clan as he steered her to the raised dais, Liam grinned at his cousins and Arabella while he settled his mother in Fraser’s chair beside him.
“Good evening.” He spoke in a cheerful tone, adding a wink at Nora just to see her features crease with a scowl. “’Tis good to see you attend, lass.”
Of course, she never failed to disappoint.
Piercing him a sharp glance, she muttered, “You would not accept nay for an answer.”
Calum barked out a laugh. “I’m beginning to like this one, Liam.”
Like two hounds fighting over a bone, Mairi and Arabella shared a knowing look that Liam recognized all too well. The pair would vex every waking moment of his day until they plied information from him. He should know. Had he not employed the same methods with his kin on several occasions?
Though, in this case, there was naught to tell. Nora was his friend, even if a foolish part of him longed for more. And not something as simple and meaningless as a toss in the hay either.
Liam leaned back in his chair and took a moment to survey the packed hall. Clanfolk lined benches around trestle tables, serving fare from the heaping platters kitchen maids distributed from the bustling kitchens. Good-natured chatter buzzed throughout the chamber, blending with the hissing pop and crackle from the massive, stone hearth on the far side of the room. The mood in the hall had improved by leaps and bounds since the eve of his announcement a sennight ago.
However, ’twas not without a great deal of effort on his part. He’d spent his days toiling hard with the rest of the clan, hoping to prove they could rely on him to aid with the harvest. Any Frasers who still harbored doubts regarding his involvement in the poisoning reserved their suspicions. The clan’s diligence and willingness to see the task through pleased Liam to no end.
“I believe the last of the wool shall be harvested on the morrow,” he remarked with a satisfied grin.
“Aye,” John agreed. “The clan’s finished early this year and the yield should fetch a good bit of coin at market.”
“I’ll speak with Laird Fraser after the feast in the village in a few days and find out who he sends to trade with the merchants in Inverness.” Liam filled his mother’s trencher with a variety of warm fare.
“We’ll need a man or two to handle each cart and an escort of guards.” John swallowed a bite of roasted pork. “I believe Kenneth usually accompanies the men.”
Liam grunted. Not if he had a say in the matter. Until he divined the hostile commander’s role in Fraser’s poisoning, then he was not permitting the man to stray too far. For the most part, Kenneth had steered clear of Liam’s path over the past few days. Not that he was complaining one bit. Without the irritating man around, spewing his venom to the clan, the days had gone much smoother.
“If needed, you’re more than welcome to send some of our men, Liam,” Calum extended, aware of Liam’s misgivings concerning Kenneth.
After his encounter with the commander in the courtyard, he’d spoken of the matter with Calum and Symon, relaying the man’s threat.
Thankful for the offer, he nodded. “I shall keep that in mind.” He turned to his mother, passing her an eating knife. “Do you suppose Fraser might feel well enough for a visit on the morrow?”
She accepted the small dagger with a chuckle. “Believe me, he’ll receive any bit of company he can get. The man’s incessant badgering to leave his chambers is doing my head in. ’Tis truth, I’m uncertain how much longer I can keep him at bay.”
Mairi snorted. “Because your husband’s a wretched patient.”
“I’m sure he shall return to his normal gruff self in no time.” Arabella grinned.
“As if there were ever any doubt of that,” Liam scoffed.
Laughter erupted around the table, slowly subsiding as everyone filled their bellies with the evening fare. Mindful of his mother’s cunning, he kept an eye on the woman, soon noticing that her interested stare sought out Nora on more than a few occasions.
“Tell me, Nora,” she spoke after swallowing a bite of cheese. “Are you eager for the harvest feast?”
Nora’s gaze shifted from her trencher to Elena. “Aye, my lady. ’Tis only a few days away. I’d wondered, if the laird’s improved, shall the two of you attend this year?”
“I’m sure naught shall keep the man away this year, lass.” Elena winked.
A smile edged Nora’s lips. “I’m pleased to hear that. Liam mentioned you’re an accomplished healer. Have you given any thought to starting an herb garden?”
“’Twas kind of you to say, Liam.” His mother grinned at him and reached over to squeeze his arm. “Aye, lass, since this is my new home, ’tis time I planted one.”
“I know of a few lush spots in the forest outside the village where many of the herbs you might need thrive. I would be happy to gather some if you wish.”
Liam’s brows rose. If the lass thought to win over his mother, she’d found the direct path to Elena Fraser’s heart.
His mother leaned forward in her seat, her features a beacon of delight. “Oh, lass, what a thoughtful gesture. How lovely. But you must promise to help with the garden.” She peered from Mairi to Arabella. “Mayhap, my nieces shall lend a hand as well.”
“Of course we will,” Arabella affirmed.
“Aye,” Mairi agreed with a grin. “’Tis thoughtful of you, Nora.”
“Excellent!” Beaming a brilliant smile, Elena clapped her hands together. “’Tis settled then. After the feast, we shall work on our herb garden, lasses.”
Saints, the meddlesome women in his family squandered no time at all with Nora. He aimed a warning glare at Mairi, who grinned and waggled her ebony brows. Exasperated, Liam quelled the urge to roll his eyes.
Well, he supposed ’twas an improvement from his cousin’s usual melancholy of late. Pining after Aaron MacRae had left the woman irritable and in poor humor. Though, he’d prefer her improved mood not to come at his and Nora’s expense. God only knew what drivel the women would fill Nora’s head with outside of his company.
He shot a sideways glance at Calum, appealing for help managing the women, but his cousin did not bother concealing his amusement. The man reclined in his high-backed chair, sipping ale and watching the exchange between the women with wide grin. Apparently, Liam would receive no aid from that quarter.
As he listened to the females drone on about gardening and herbs, a notion waded into his mind. He shifted to face his cousin.
“What do you think of the MacEwans’ water wheel?” he asked, thinking of the paddled wooden trundle their friend, Patrick, had constructed to aid with his clan’s grain production.
“You mean what the clan uses to turn the mill’s grind stone?” Calum straightened in his seat. “I’m not sure how it works, though.”
“The constant flow of water from the stream powers the wheel, which is connected to a series of pulleys and pivots that work in unison to spin the stone inside the mill,” Will spoke from across the table.
Liam peered at the dark-haired youth. “Aye, precisely. You are familiar with them?”
Will shrugged. “I’ve seen how one works before.”
The information surprised him. The young man was no more than five and ten summers. As far as Liam knew, Fraser’s holding had never used a water wheel.
“Oh?” Curious how he came by such knowledge, Liam lifted a brow. “Where?”
Averting his gaze, Will fiddled with the handle of his tankard. “I cannot recall, my lord. ’Twas long ago.”
Usually bright-eyed and full of wit, the youth’s timid reaction seemed out a character. Liam glanced at Nora in question, but the wariness in her startled eyes gave him pause. He tilted his head a fraction, a silent query she comprehended without a bit of trouble. Her dark gaze implored him to let the matter drop. Saints, what the devil was amiss with the pair?
For now, he’d offer a reprieve. But later, he’d fetch an explanation out of the woman. Or better yet, he’d fetch the answers from Will.
Dismissing his curiosity for the moment, he turned to Calum. “I’d hoped to build one beside the mill in the village.” He leaned back in his seat to peer at his mother. “If Fraser agrees, that is.”
“I’m certain you shall get no objections from him.” Her hand brushed over his with an affectionate pat he relished. “’Tis a fine idea. I’m proud of you, my lad.”
His cheeks heated under the familiar address. Shifting uncomfortably in his seat, he spoke to Will. “I thought you might help with the task. If you’re so inclined.”
“Of course.” The lad’s brow furrowed. “Though, I’m unsure how I might be of use, my lord.”
“Well, to start, I’d hoped you knew of a carpenter amongst the clan. Then, I thought the two of us might pay the man a visit to speak of the type of construction we seek.”
“Aye, Domnall, and his son, David.” A smile played over Will’s mouth. “The pair shall be pleased to take on a new project.”
“What say you, Nora?”
Deep in her thoughts, she rolled a bit of food around her trencher with an eating knife. Sarah nudged her arm to gain her attention and nodded toward Liam.
Nora’s head snapped up, her gaze flickering to Liam’s. “I beg your pardon?”
He bit his lip to restrain a grin. “What do you think of building a water wheel?”
A faint hint of caution lingered in her wide eyes as she searched his gaze, snaring his full attention.
For a suspended moment of time, everyone else in the hall ceased to exist to Liam. His sole focus centered on the young woman seated across the planks of wood from him. ’Twas hard to remember another instance when a female captured his notice as much as Nora. The feeling was strange, if not a bit unsettling, his attraction to her. He could no more explain why the organ in his chest thumped an erratic rhythm in her company than he could describe why the grass was green, but it happened all the same.
Giving himself a shake, he cleared his throat, breaking his momentary stupor.
She blinked a few times before glancing away. “’Tis a sound notion and it would benefit the clan. How does it work again?”
“Help me clarify, Will.”
Liam sat forward, pushing aside his trencher. The young man followed suit. Using a variety of objects on the trestle table, the two of them created a crude model to illustrate how a water wheel worked. Will chattered excitedly, detailing the entire process as everyone seated at the high table listened to the youth’s explanation.
With more than a fair share of charisma and enthusiasm, the clever young man captured the clan’s fascination. Frasers seated in the hall heeded Will’s words, craning their necks and shifting in their seats to catch better sight of the table. Pleased with the clan’s interest, a sense of pride inflated Liam’s chest thrice the size.
For some inexplicable reason, he yearned to prove his worth to Fraser, his kin, the clan and, mayhap, even himself. He wished to show he could be a dependable, useful sort of man when the need arose. That he did not treat everything as a jest as Kenneth accused.
How quickly the tide had shifted, swelling into an immense wave.
Before his mother’s wedding, he hardly gave a damn. Merely satisfied to squander his time with trivial matters, he cared not what anyone thought of him and lived his life day to day. Not to say he did not at present, but too many others depended on him to act with a clear, reasonable head.
And some fierce, masculine need within him wished to be the type of man Nora might come to depend upon. Between the lass and his kin, he hoped to prove he was a better man than he’d ever portrayed.
He leaned back in his chair with a sigh. Where the devil was his head these days? It had to be Nora. ’Twas the only explanation why he longed for things he’d never once thought twice about in his lifetime.
Out of the corner of his eyes, he spied the blonde maid’s approach and inwardly groaned. The vexing wench sauntered toward the high table, wielding a mischievous grin, swaying hips and jug of ale. He feigned interest in Will’s model of bowls and utensils as the young man continued to speak of the water wheel, hoping the maid would not dare another vain attempt to entice him yet again. Especially in front of Nora.
Alas, as his friendship with the lass grew and his feelings deepened, ’twas an unsettling prospect he’d have to face, sooner or later. She’d ask of his past, of the women he bedded. He knew it as sure as the maid wished to cause mischief.
Inhaling a drag of air, he held his breath as the blonde filled John and Sarah’s tankards. The woman paused just behind Nora and reached for her tankard. As she tilted the pitcher to pour, her hand jerked at the last moment, dumping the contents over Nora’s head.
Liam’s gaze swung from the gleam of satisfaction in the maid’s eyes to Nora, who jumped to her feet, her chair scraping over the stone floor. She sputtered and wiped ale from her face and chest. In a flash of rage, he sprang to his feet and slammed his hands on the trestle table’s hard surface.
“What the hell is the meaning of this?” His shout resounded throughout the hall.
The maid ducked her head, but not before Liam caught her slight grin. “’Twas an accident, my lord.”
The syrupy sweet tone goaded his anger. “Not a damned chance. I watched you with my own eyes. ’Twas deliberate. You’ll apologize right this damned instant.”
The maid’s burning gaze snapped to his. “I most certainly shall not apologize to your whore.”
Aside from a round of collective gasps, the hall fell into absolute silence. Uncaring of the audience of onlookers, he locked his gaze on the vile woman, not mincing words when he spoke. “As of this moment, you’re relieved of your duties in this keep. You shall find plenty of work planting in the fields.”
Affronted, the wench sputtered, “You cannot do that. You’re not laird here.”
“For now, aye, I am. Do not fret, I’ll be sure to inform Laird Fraser of your conduct.” From the front of the hall, he caught a glimpse of Symon stalking toward the dais. “Would you be so kind as to escort this woman from the keep?”
“Would be my pleasure.” Symon stepped onto the dais, reaching for the maid’s arm but she jerked away and hurled the pitcher to the stone floor, sending shards of clay to scatter amongst the rushes. The horrid woman spun around and stomped from the hall with Symon trailing after her.
From somewhere in the chamber, a high-pitched voice muttered, “Good riddance.”
At least, he was not alone in his dislike of the foul wench.
Liam hurried around the table to Nora, who stood damp and shaken. Quelling the urge to envelop her in his arms, he slipped the mantle from his shoulders and passed the lightweight cloak to her.
“Nora…I’m sorry, lass. Allow me to help.” He attempted to wrap the mantle around her, but she waved away his efforts with a shaky hand.
At the sight of her worn, sodden gown, damp hair and downtrodden features, a sharp pang pierced his chest with a stinging blow. At present, he’d relish hurling the serving wench into the cold stream in the village.
Her cheeks a dark crimson, Nora studied the front of his tunic rather than meet his gaze while tears brimmed in her eyes. “Please, my lord, ’tis no matter. Thank you.”
Will stepped around him, taking the cloak from her clenched hands and settled the material over her shoulders. “Come on. Let’s get you home, Nora.”
“Allow me to escort you.” Desperate to soothe her upset, Liam reached for her arm, but Will tucked his sister close to his side.
“’Tis fine, my lord. I have her.” The lad proffered a tight smile at Liam. “Thank you.”
Powerless to help, Liam watched as the pair retreated from the hall, heedless of the clan’s stares and whispers. His heart gave a painful kick, while his fury climbed to new heights.
Was this what the Frasers thought of her? That Nora, one of the most sensible, virtuous women he’d ever encountered, played the part of his whore? Why? Merely because she taken a chance and believed him when no one else would?
Enraged, he turned a harsh glare on the clan. “I vow, if I ever hear anyone speak of Nora in such a vile manner again, I shall not hesitate to have them removed from this damned hall. Do I make myself clear?”
A chorus of “ayes” and grunts did little to pacify his soured mood. Dragging his feet, Liam returned to his seat, dropping into the chair with a solid oomph, while his head swam in a thunderous cloud of frustration. In truth, he was unsure who angered him more—the maid or himself.
Why had he not taken measures to protect Nora from the clan’s loose tongues? The image of her sweet face bearing defeat seared into his mind, racking him with guilt. A nudge to his arm tugged him from his dark thoughts. He cut a sideways scowl at his cousin.
“At last, you understand.”
Liam glared at his kin. “Understand what?”
Calum swallowed a deep drink before replying. “The difficulties that come with feeling affection for a woman.”
*
His cousin’s words lingered in his mind long after Liam quit the great hall. Affection for a woman? He snorted to himself, though the laugh sounded weak to his own ears. Especially since he stood outside Nora’s cottage, disappointed her quaint home sat still and swathed in darkness. Much akin to his present mood.
Sighing, he’d endeavor to speak with her on the morrow. That is, if she’d speak to him at all. He walked away with a heavier heart than he’d arrived with.
He retraced his steps along the well-worn paths through the darkened settlement which lay in eerie silence. Most of the villagers had retired for the night and fallen into the comforting embrace of slumber. Liam envied them their peaceful escape from waking life. Somehow, he suspected sleep would elude him this eve.
Moonlight peeked through the clouds, illuminating the somber, stone keep in the distance. Torchlight lit the walkway as he ambled toward the outer courtyard, in no particular hurry to seek out his bed.
“MacGregor’s looking for you, my lord. He’s in the stables,” one of the guards informed him as Liam passed through the front gates.
Nodding his thanks, he had half a mind to continue on to his bedchamber. Even if he’d find little solace with a restless night. Knowing Calum, the man would seek him out there as well.
He veered course and headed left for the stables situated on the far end of the courtyard. As he slipped in through a side entrance, the scents of horseflesh and hay filled his nostrils. Two or three hand-held lanterns hanging from posts lit the open interior, allowing Liam to easily spot his cousin outside his stallion’s stall.
“Looking for me?” He strode past Calum to the neighboring enclosure.
His cousin glanced over. “Aye. Where did you go?”
Instead of replying, Liam leaned over the railing, reaching out a hand to brush over his roan’s muzzle. The horse softly nickered his approval.
“If I had to guess, ’twas something to do with a certain dark-haired lass.”
Rolling his eyes, Liam stroked the gelding’s nose. “Does it matter?”
Calum shrugged. “Nay, I suppose not. I merely thought you might wish to talk.”
“What’s there to discuss?” he muttered.
A deep rumbling laugh tumbled out of the man and Liam leveled a glare at his cousin. “I fail to understand what the hell’s so amusing.”
“You! For a damned change, you’re not the one laughing.” Calum’s booming laughter resounded from the planked walls, rousing neighs from a few of the horses in their stalls. “Would you care to know why?”
“I cannot imagine,” Liam commented dryly. “Though, I’ve no doubt you’re going to tell me whether I wish you to or not.”
With a final swipe of his hand over his stallion’s side, Calum pushed away from the stall and paced closer to Liam, leaning his forearms over the railing beside him.
“What I find amusing is that you of all people, after all these years, have finally fallen for a woman.”
“Fallen?” Liam spat out. “I’ve not fallen for any woman.”
Calum lifted a brow. “Are you sure? Seems to me you’re well on your way, Cousin.”
Dropping his head to lean on his forearms, Liam kicked at the bits of straw littering the dirt floor at his feet. Hell, was he falling for Nora? Did that explain the odd feelings he experienced and his overwhelming awareness of the woman when he was in her company? The fluster of agitation in his stomach when he looked upon her comely, frowning features? And what of that traitorous organ in his chest with all its blasted pounding of late?
“’Tis not so terrible, is it?” Calum asked.
Liam lifted his head to peer at his kin. “I do not understand what I feel.”
“Does any man?” His cousin snorted. “Trust when I say the feeling improves.”
“’Tis just…” He paused, unsure if he wished to share his burden with Calum. The man carried enough responsibility without Liam dumping trivial matters in his lap.
“We’ve always been able to talk freely to each other, Liam. Now should be no different.”
“I cannot explain why, but I feel…responsible for the lass. And the truth is, I want to be. I wish for her to trust me, to feel these same damned feelings that are turning me inside out. This mess with the maid in the hall, ’tis my fault. I left Nora unprotected to that vicious harpy’s wrath. The clan thinks the worst of Nora simply because she believed in me, and I’ve done naught to defend her. If I cannot look after one lass, how the devil could I ever handle an entire clan?” He shook his head. “’Tis no matter at any rate. Soon enough, I shall not have to deal with any of this any longer.”
“Oh? And what of Nora?”
Leave it to his cousin to cut straight to the point which frustrated Liam more. “What of her?”
Calum tilted his head, spearing Liam with his penetrating, crystalline stare. “You would merely walk away from the lass? I do not believe that for an instant.”
Neither did Liam, if he were truthful with himself. He’d sorely let Nora down this eve, and he’d no notion how to make amends with the woman.
“Listen, Liam. I know all of this is new to you—Fraser, the clan, Nora. But you’ve handled yourself well with the clan the past sennight. You’re every bit as much of a leader as me or Fraser. What you need to understand is some matters are out of your control. What happened this eve was one of those instances. ’Tis no more your fault than ’tis Nora’s. Do not fret over the clan. There’ll always be those who seek to cause trouble. ’Tis naught you can do to stop it. Just know the situation shall soon right itself.”
The words reassured Liam. A year younger than his cousin, he’d often looked up to Calum for direction. ’Twas uplifting when the man praised him. Though, he’d hardly given his kin much to compliment over the years.
Calum shifted to lean his back against the stall door. “As for Nora, the two of you will work through matters. Just do not dawdle with your feelings as I did with Arabella. I could’ve spared us both a great deal of trouble by simply telling her how I felt. And for God’s sake, do not let Fraser get involved.”
Liam chuckled at the reminder of the difficulty the older man created between his niece and Calum. The last thing he needed was for Fraser to send for a blasted priest as he’d done to his cousin and Arabella. Especially before Liam had an opportunity to fully examine the depth of his feelings for Nora.
Hell, marriage.
’Twas the first time the notion spurred something other than a wash of dread in him. Especially with the thought of Nora as his bride. No doubt, the lass would frown throughout the entire ceremony. He smiled at the image in his mind.
With one final scratch behind his gelding’s ears, he turned to lean against the planks of timber, mirroring Calum’s stance. “Speaking of meddlesome kin, I’m aware you spoke to my mother.”
His cousin feigned ignorance as poorly as Elena Fraser was a liar.
Before the other man uttered a denial, Liam added, “She confessed the two of you discussed how I should lead the clan in Fraser’s stead.”
Calum barked out a laugh. “Well, what did you expect me to do?”
“You could’ve not said a blasted thing,” he wryly suggested.
“You’re not deceiving anyone, you know. Those of us who truly know you are aware you play the fool on purpose, Liam. Sometimes, I think you’ve grown so used to the role, you fail to understand your true potential.”
Hell, was he that damned transparent?
“Aye, aye, I understand.” He waved away the rest of his cousin’s lecturing. Not that he truly minded. In truth, he was grateful for the heartening words which had somewhat improved his rotten mood.
Calum cuffed him on the shoulder. “Come, let’s head back to the keep. I have a comely wife awaiting my return.”
Liam snorted as he shoved away from the stall. Extinguishing the lit lanterns, he and Calum secured the outer doors to the stables for the eve. They fell into step beside each other, strolling through the courtyard. Aside from stray patrols, the bailey stood in empty silence.
“Any word from Symon?”
Calum shook his head. “Nay, naught worthy of comment.”
“Damn,” Liam growled.
“You know he’s relentless. If Kenneth’s planning something, Symon will find him out.”
He nodded in assent.
’Twas what made the MacGregor commander an invaluable warrior—loyal to a fault, determined, and skilled with a sword. Symon was dogged in his pursuits.
Calum paused at the base of the keep’s front steps. “So…”
Liam halted alongside him and raised a brow. “So what?”
A broad grin stretched his cousin’s scarred visage. “What of Nora?”
“By the Saints, man!” he exclaimed in exasperation.
Calum tossed his head back and howled with laughter, the annoying sound grating in Liam’s ears. “’Tis not so amusing when you’re the one being badgered, is it?”
Scowling, he stomped up the stairs. “Do not start with me.”
Chuckling, Calum followed close behind. “Would you rather I sent for Father MacKinley now?”
“I fear I’d have to hurt you, Cousin.”
Calum’s laughter grew. “I’d like to see you try.”
He pushed open one of the front doors, holding it wide for his cousin to pass through. “I do not suppose you might warn Arabella to guard her tongue around Nora?”
Calum snorted. “’Tis about as much use as telling you to leave off pestering people.”
Liam grimaced. In other words, he was doomed.