“ ’Tis the truth, I’ve waited a long time to get my hands on you, lass. Your father cared naught how you behaved even though he disapproved. He was a lazy man who should have taken you in hand long before you reached the age you are now. And your mother should have taught you the ways of the lady of the keep, but she was too busy keeping your father away from the other lasses. You’ve not had a good example to be sure, but that’s all going to come to an end starting today. I’m going to mold you into the finest lady of the keep the McDonald clan has ever seen.”
The determination in the older woman’s eyes made Rionna’s shoulders sag in resignation. There was unholy delight in Sarah’s gaze. She was practically rubbing her hands in glee.
“First we’re going to measure you for new gowns. The bodices of your current dresses will never fit you with those br**sts out of bondage. I’ve already got three of the women altering one of the dresses that your mother wore. A few stitches here and there and you’ll have dresses you can wear until we can outfit you in a new wardrobe.”
“We haven’t the funds to outfit me in a new wardrobe,” Rionna said darkly.
Sarah shook her head. “You’re not to worry over that. The laird is expecting all manner of supplies from his brother in the next fortnight. He told me himself that he specifically sent word that you needed warm clothing and all the trappings befitting a lady.”
“ ‘All the trappings befitting a lady,’ ” Rionna mimicked.
“Hush now. The water’s growing cold. Your grumbling doesn’t change the fact that you’ve a lot of learning ahead of you. ’Twill be better for all if you go about it with a good attitude.”
“Oh let me sulk a bit,” Rionna said. “I know you have the right of it, but ’tis the truth I have no liking for the task.”
Sarah smiled and reached over to pat Rionna’s cheek. “I love you like you were my own bairn. And I’m going to treat you like my bairn, which means I’ll cuff you on the back of the head if you give me any sass.”
Rionna grinned and then sobered. “What think you of the new laird?”
Sarah cocked her head as she gave the matter consideration.
“I think he’s a gruff man, but I think he’s fair. He’s hard, and he likes things a certain way. It might take the clan a bit to grow accustomed to his ways, but I think we’ll be a better clan for it.”
“I do, too,” Rionna said grudgingly. “I just want …”
“What do you want, lass?”
Rionna pressed her lips together, determined not to show weakness in front of Sarah. What she wanted were things a girl wanted. Dreams a girl dreamed. Not what a woman full grown with a responsibility to her clan spent her day being foolish over.
“ ’Tis no matter what I want,” she said quietly. “ ’Tis what the laird wants that matters.”
Caelen stood in the courtyard, arms crossed, expression stony as he surveyed the McDonald soldiers training. Gannon stood beside him and every once in awhile shook his head in dismay.
“We’ve not time to shape these men into a decent army,” Gannon said. “We won’t stand a chance against Cameron.”
“Not if I have anything to say about it,” Caelen said grimly. “They have the skill. They just haven’t had the proper training.”
“Their best warrior is a woman,” Gannon said in disgust. “Rionna bested Diormid, remember?”
Caelen scowled. He didn’t need a reminder of his wife’s prowess with a sword. He had no intention of allowing her to get herself killed. The sooner he got her with child, the sooner she’d settle down and turn her attention to more womanly pursuits. Then he wouldn’t have to worry over what trouble she got into.
“Find me the leaders,” Caelen said to Gannon. “ ’Tis obvious they have no regard for my authority yet. I’ll make my case to the most senior men and let them know I’m no threat to their leadership.”
“I’ve been watching,” Gannon murmured. “Simon McDonald wields much influence within his clan. The men listen to him and look to him for guidance. Arlen McDonald is another elder whom the younger soldiers look to for guidance. He’s adept with a sword.”
“Tell them I want a meeting with them in the great hall. Invite them to have the noon meal and we’ll talk then. We’ll have need to break the men into smaller groups for training purposes. I’ll need the help of the McDonald men in positions of leadership if we are to accomplish all we need to.”
“Aye, I agree. It won’t be an easy task.”
Caelen grinned at his commander. “You said you desired a new challenge.”
Gannon shot him a disgruntled look. “When I said that, whipping an entire army into shape wasn’t what I had in mind.”
Caelen sighed. “Nor is it what I had in mind either. ’Tis the truth I don’t even know where to begin. The task before us is overwhelming in its enormity.”
Gannon laid a hand on Caelen’s shoulder. “A more able taskmaster I’ve never met. ’Tis the truth if anyone can do it, you can.”
Caelen scanned the sparring warriors and grimaced. He hoped Gannon was right. The next weeks would be grueling, and his only chance of success was in gaining the cooperation of his new clan.
So far no one had greeted him with anything but reserve and suspicion.
“Find Simon and Arlen,” he ordered Gannon. “I’ll be in the hall waiting.”