“Was it so terrible?” Saoirse kept her gaze upon Noah, marveling at the way his features softened when he was in a good humor. He looked like an entirely different person.
Mary nodded effusively. “I dinnae realize that mackerel isnae the same thing as kippers, M’Lady. Ye cannae leave mackerel out in the bakin’ summer sun, else it’ll rot. The rest, I’m sure, ye can guess.”
“The entire castle was sick for a week,” Noah chimed in, chuckling. The sound knocked Saoirse off guard; it was so pure and genuine and comforting.
Mary clapped her hands together. “Och, Her Ladyship has turned white as milk!” She nudged Noah in the arm. “What are we discussin’ rotten fish for in front of such a woman? The poor thing needs her bed, I should imagine. Speakin’ of which, ye should’ve had me woken the minute ye returned, and nae just so I could’ve dressed appropriately! I hadnae done me final observations, to make sure all is perfect.”
“I have seen to it,” Noah said quietly.
“Aye, but what ye ken of what a woman needs in her bedchamber would fill a very small scrap of paper,” Mary scolded, making Saoirse laugh. She couldn’t imagine the housekeeper or the maids speaking to her father in such a friendly, informal manner, but she adored it.
Noah smiled. “If ye’re nae careful, my wife will think thatyeare the Laird of this castle.”
The mere word “wife” caused Saoirse’s body to tingle. It was, after all, the first time Noah hadn’t said it like a cursed word. Maybe, his cold indifference really had been circumstantial, andthiswas the real him. Warm and funny and amenable.
“Daenae try and temper me excitement, M’Laird. This is a day I’ve been waitin’ for, a long time.” Mary grinned and weaved her arm through Saoirse’s. “So, let us get ye to yer chamber, M’Lady. I’m certain yer journey has been a rough one.”
Saoirse chuckled. “Is it so obvious? Do I look so awful?”
“I doubt ye could look awful if ye smeared yerself in river muck and dinnae sleep for a week, but I ken a weary lass when I see one,” Mary replied, with a wink.
As the housekeeper pulled Saoirse toward the sweeping staircase that curved up to the higher floors of the castle, she waited for Noah to follow. He didn’t. He watched them go, her eyes drawn to his hands as he pulled off his riding gloves. The shine of good cheer and the easy smile had gone from his face, replaced with a stern frown.
“What of my belongings?” Saoirse asked, hoping to linger a while longer and maybe see that smile on her husband’s face again.
Mary waved a dismissive hand. “The servants will bring yer things to yer chamber. Daenae fret. I’m sure none of it has been lost.”
“Is… Noah nae joinin’ me?” A lump formed in Saoirse’s throat as her eyes flitted between the staircase and the entrance hall.
Mary paused. “I expect he will, but he’s very particular about his horse. He’ll want to see that the beast is stabled well and that he’s bathed the stench away before he tends to ye.” She chuckled. “I’ve never kenned a man who smells as fine as M’Laird.”
“Oh, I see.” Saoirse didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed, as she allowed the old woman to lead her to the bedchamber.
As she walked, however, fear rattled through her veins. Each step felt like a mile as she thought of what would come later. For some reason, she thought it would be easier to get rid of her nerves if she had Noah beside her the entire time, instead of having to go through the anxiety of waiting for him to arrive. After all, what if he never did? What if this was where he abandoned her?
Daenae be daft,she scolded herself.He’s told ye he expects heirs, and ye cannae give him those if he stays away.It sounded so cold, thinking of it in such stark terms, but at least it meant he would come to her. In that, there was still a sliver of hope.
Dropping her gaze to the floor, she tried to push aside all thoughts and expectations. Her chest tightened as Mary guided her down long hallway after long hallway. In the corner of her eye, she couldn’t help but notice the paintings and various trinkets on the walls and tables.
In the back of her mind, she made a note to look at each painting in the morning. For, right now, her mind was far too occupied with things to come.
“Here we are,” Mary said, as they came to a set of double doors at the very end of a drafty, vast passage.
She was just about to open the door when footsteps echoed in the hallway behind the two women. They were moving quickly, matching the rapid beat of Saoirse’s heart.
As Saoirse turned, a scream escaped her throat. A shadow darted through the dark, wild-eyed and terrifying as the flickering torches flashed upon a frightening face. Her eyes squeezed shut and she fell back against the doors, certain that something terrible was about to happen.
I shouldnae have come here. Please, take me home.
CHAPTER8
“What are ye screamin’for?” Noah’s voice coaxed Saoirse’s eyes open.
“Noah?”
He frowned. “Were ye expectin’ someone else?”
“Ye frightened the lass!” Mary thumped him in the arm. “Ye nearly frightened me to death an’ all, chargin’ out of the dark like a hulkin’ monster. What’s the matter with ye, eh? What areyerunnin’ about like a wildlin’ for?”