Chapter 12
Claire wasn’t sure how long she stood alone in the study. Ian’s scent still filled her senses, though her body was now cold without his warmth wrapped around her. The dull ache that filled her chest daily had become a sharp pain. She needed to leave this chamber or the heartbreak would cripple her.
Commotion upstairs drew her attention as she wandered the hall with no true goal in mind. She hoped there was something distracting up there. Women scurried in and out of the chambers, some with stacks of linens, while others carried pails and cloths.
Spotting Neala in the corridor, she asked, “Can I help with something?”
Neala smiled at Claire. “I am surprised to see you up here, ‘tis early. Do you need a break from the accounts, child?”
The use of the word “child” still made her smile. “Well, I’m done for the moment, things are up to date. With all of the noise I thought maybe you could use some more hands.” She noted the commotion of the women in the corridor. “What is going on up here?”
“The chambers need to be readied for the bride, her father, Tavis, and the men of rank he will bring with him. Extra hands would be a blessing today.” Without waiting, Neala led Claire into the chamber across the corridor from Ian’s own.
Stepping inside, she was quick to note it had to be one of the best rooms in the keep. Not quite as nice as Ian’s, but certainly as large. This one also boasted a large fireplace with better chairs strewn with pillows and a table between the two. She noted the bed was large. Even if the frame was not ornate, it was beautiful. The window held a view to the side yard where she liked to play with Cerwyn, and the ocean was just past that. The room had obviously been cleaned, and the fresh air from the ocean breeze scented the space. Turning to find Neala, she said, “It’s lovely in here.”
“I agree, ‘tis a fine chamber. Normally it is saved for the use of high-ranking guests. Never would I have believed the purpose for which it shall be used.” Neala shook her head in disgust. “If you stand on the far side of the bed, we can make quick work of this task.”
Moving as directed, Claire grabbed an end of the linens. “Why would it be bad for the bride to be here? Wouldn’t she be given a nice place for when she first arrives?”
“Of course she would be offered a comfortable, fine chamber. The fact that this is to be her chamber for the rest of her life ‘tis the part I take issue with. Hand me the pillow, child.”
While doing as told, Claire asked, “What do you mean the rest of her life? Don’t married people here share a room? I mean, Hagan and Aliana do?”
I’ve known from the beginning that whoever she is, she would share his chamber. Ian spoke of such things.
With a sigh, Neala continued, “The laird gave the order himself. This chamber is to be prepared for his wife. When I questioned Ian about this, he said that there is no illusion this marriage is to be a joyous one. He assumes this arrangement will be as most are, empty.”
Claire felt the burden of this weigh down her steps. Ian had spoken so eloquently of all the things he wanted for his life, yet now expected none of them to happen. Closing her eyes, she wasn’t sure what was worse, him living like that or having to watch him do it. “I don’t know what to say.”
Neala was finishing making the bed and gauging her reaction. “Ian did not speak of this to you?”
Surprised by the question, Claire retorted, “Why would he?”
“You two spend your evenings talking, and I thought maybe you had more answers than I do,” Neala responded.
Looking around the room while avoiding Neala’s gaze, she said, “We’ve talked about a lot of things, the subject of his marriage, well . . . we . . . it’s never come up.”
“Forgive me, ‘tis foolish of me to think it would have.” Neala gazed around, seeing everything in the place she would have it. “This chamber is fine. There are more beds to change if you still wish to help.”
The two moved quickly, readying another five rooms before they reached the last. “Come, child, help me straighten Ian’s chamber, and then we are finished with the beds.”
Walking into this now familiar place, Claire thought it somehow seemed a bit empty without Ian. Moving without thought to the table by the fire, she saw the cups from last night were still there and the unfinished chess game sat waiting.
“You did nay finish last night?” Neala followed Claire’s motion to the table.
The voice of the other woman pulled her back to the moment. “No, we didn’t. I think we were talking more than actually playing.” They had sat and talked for hours, as usual. She remembered how the conversation had been easy and comfortable with plenty of laughter.
“‘Tis a fine way to pass the night.” It was Neala’s only remark as she straightened the chamber.
Turning to see Neala and smiling at the choice of words, Claire said, “That’s exactly what Ian says.”
They each stood on a side of the bed and began working together to change the linens. Never had she ever focused so hard on such simple work. Simply the smell of him in the room and even on the sheets drove her senses crazy. The sound of horses from the window provided a welcome diversion. She could see Ian, Hagan, and a few others mounted and leaving through the gates. “Where do you think they are going?”
“The sun is shining. They may be off to hunt, to check on a matter, or mayhap to enjoy a day in the saddle.” Placing the furs back on the bed, Neala requested, “Hand me the pillows, child.”
Doing as she was told, Claire asked quietly, “Neala, can I ask you a question?”
“I told you when we met I am here for you. Always ask what you would.”
“How soon after the bride arrives will the wedding take place?” Not having the nerve to face Neala with the question, Claire kept her eyes on the pillows as they were moved into place.
Answering in a matter-of-fact tone, Neala said, “I dinna ken exactly. There are most likely negotiations to finish. When things are agreed upon, it will happen quickly.”
Trying hard not to show anything other than curiosity, Claire asked, “How long does it take for the priest to arrive?”
Neala tilted her head, taken aback by her question. “No one has explained this to you? In all the tales you have heard, I am surprised this one was left out. Sit in the chair, and I will tell you all.”
Moving to her usual seat and finding the comfortable spot right away, Claire sat, waiting for yet another tale.
Facing her, Neala began, “You will never find a priest on these lands. Dinna mistake me, the clan has a fine love of the church and its words, but not its men. The first laird of the Draig, the very one who conquered these lands, made verra clear to his children to keep this rule. ‘Tis said that a man pretending to be a priest kidnapped and nearly killed his wife. Since that time things have been done according to the ways of the clan. So there will be no priest for the ceremony. Ian and his bride will make their vows before the clan, and the contracts are signed. In the morning, a sheet is hung in the hall. The Draig marriages have always been this way. You will find most clans have their own ways.”
Stunned was her only thought. Just a few public words and a contract? No, don’t go there, not now. Trying to clear her thoughts, Claire asked, “So everyone here marries like this?”
“Aye child, ‘tis the way of things. The village has never complained about these ways, though in the village a contract is not necessary. That is reserved for the laird alone. The men and women who serve this land exchange their words, and the sheet is hung outside the door the next morn.” Neala added, “Dinna doubt me when I say that most of the time ‘tis merely a bit of wine that marks the sheet.”
If Claire could have crawled away at that moment, she would have. She felt the heat of her blush cover her face and burn her ears. “Thank you for the tale, Neala. As always, it was a fine one.”
Neala answered with a smile. “Now you ken more of the ways here. Let us hope the bride who comes is as understanding. I have been told that she has spent the last ten years living in a convent.”
Claire asked, “Ten years in a convent? Why?”
With a sigh, Neala continued, “Again, it can be the way of things. For some clans ‘tis how they raise their lasses. The goal is to keep them biddable and chaste so they can be wed for the gain of the clan.”
Gain of the clan?
This phrase resonated through Claire’s mind. It was very clear what the Draig clan would gain with this union.
What did the other laird gain?
Neala’s rising broke her thoughts. “We have been idle long enough. Take hold of the linens while I grab these cups. These things all belong elsewhere. Let us see to it.”
Bending to grab the sheets from the floor and moving to follow Neala to the laundry area downstairs, Claire indulged in a deep inhale of Ian’s scent that permeated the sheets in her hands.