“My lord,” she said with a gracious bob of her head when he stopped only a few feet from her.
“We will speak in my solar,” Cree ordered, the Great Hall busy with a flurry of servants making sure all was ready for tonight’s celebration.
“As you wish, my lord.”
Beautiful and obedient; he could have done worse. At least she would not be difficult to handle. He turned to Sloan with a brief nod and then extended his arm to Lucerne. She placed her hand lightly on it and they walked to the solar in silence.
He no soon as seated her in a chair by the hearth when Sloan entered with Flanna and two servant lassies and within minutes food and drink covered the table between the chairs. Flanna filled two goblets of wine, shooed the two servants out and gave a respectful bob before leaving. Sloan remained by the door his arms behind his back looking as if he stood guard.
Cree handed a goblet of wine to Lucerne.
“I am impressed with the efficiency of your servants. The head servant woman, I believe she is called Flanna, took my two servants in hand immediately and directed them to my quarters. And she spoke not a word to me as a good servant should do.”
“Flanna does her chore well,” Cree said, “but then I expect all in Dowell to do their chores well.”
“As they should, laziness is the devil’s way and should not be tolerated. With your permission I will take charge of Flanna and of course the cook and see that things continue to run as they should.”
Cree heard Sloan cough and he knew exactly what he was thinking. “You may speak with Flanna, but Flanna will deal with Turbett the cook.”
“As you wish, my lord, I am here to serve you as a good wife should.”
“That is good to hear for I expect obedience from my wife. Pay heed to my word and speak no lies to me and we will do well together.”
“I am sure we will, my lord. I look forward to our union.”
They shared the food and drink as they spoke.
“Your fortuitous acquiring of my father’s land and holdings has been fortunate for him,” Lucerne said.
“Does your father agree with your opinion?” Cree asked, curious that she chose to bring the matter up for discussion.
“Not at first, but after careful consideration he realized that with his advancing age it was for the best. You will not only protect his lands far better than he could; you will no doubt expand his holdings.”
“My land; my holdings,” Cree clarified.
“Of course,” Lucerne said with a smile. “You must forgive me. My family has held the title of Earl of Carrick and the land that goes with it for many years, which is why I am ever so grateful to wed you and have my family continue to be part of it. And God willing, I will give you a son who will carry the title for years to come.”
“I would like many sons and daughters as well.” Cree caught how her smile faltered. Was she the type of woman who once bore a son felt her duty was done and thought to bear no more children? He hoped not for he wanted many children. He recalled how his younger sister had filled the home with such joy when she was little and he wanted to know that joy once again.
“I heard that there is a celebration tonight?” she asked. “And I saw how the servants were busy preparing the Great Hall.”
“It is for you. The villagers have been looking forward to your arrival.”
“The villagers will take part of the festivities in the Great Hall?’ she asked.
Was that annoyance he saw on her face? Cree nodded. “Yes, the villagers will be welcomed into the hall for the celebration and to meet you… the lady of the keep.”
Lucerne stood. “In that case, my lord, I should like to go rest before the evening’s festivities. My journey has tired me.”
Cree waved a hand to Sloan and in seconds a servant appeared to take Lucerne to her bedchamber. After she left Sloan and Cree sat before the hearth each with a tankard of ale in hand.
“What do you think?” Cree asked
“She is beautiful.”
“That’s obvious. What else do you see?”
“Obedience.”
“Anything else?” Cree asked.
“She’s hungry for power, which could be good or bad. I would say she needs watching, though…”
“Spit it out.”
“She doesn’t strike me as the type of woman who would tolerate her husband having a mistress.”
Cree glowered at him. “It is no concern of hers.”
“She might think differently. No wife wants the other woman flaunted in her face. You may want to consider moving Dawn to a more secluded—”
“No,” Cree snapped. “She stays where she is. Is all ready for the celebration?”
“Changing the subject won’t change the situation. And remember keeping one woman content is difficult enough… you now have two.” Sloan bit back his laughter.