“May I come in?” she asked, still at the doorway.
“Of course, Lady MacDougall,” Elaine said a nervously, gesturing for her to enter. “Please.”
Closing the door behind her, Duncan’s mother gracefully made her way across the room. Following Elaine’s further gesture to be seated, she slowly lowered herself into one of the two high-backed chairs that sat before the large fireplace.
“I must begin with an apology, Elaine,” Lady MacDougall said. “I ought tae have made this visit far sooner, for both me and my eldest son owe ye our lives.”
It had been a week since Elaine had fought off the attackers. She had alsocontinued to assist Samuel with the injured soldiers until they could be moved to rooms where they could rest. The Great Hall couldn't be used as a healing center indefinitely, and it had been Duncan's wish, or so shehad heard, that things in the castle returned to normalcy as soon as possible.
“Can I fetch ye something tae drink, my Lady?” Elaine asked.
The older woman shook her head. “I’m grand, Elaine. Thank ye. Please, come and sit with me. I have things I wish tae say.”
Elaine joined Lady MacDougall and waited for her to speak again, her stomach churning with nerves. Elaine was well aware that the rest of those in the castle despised her presence because of the woman who sat before her. She was the most powerful woman in the castle, with sway over everyone, including Duncan. Even though she had hinted that her visit was in thanks for what Elaine had done, knowing her position, shewas wary.
“Ye likely ken why I am here,” Lady MacDougall began, “and as I say, I apologize for not coming tae see ye sooner. Things have been a little busy since the castle was attacked, yet that is nae excuse. I wanted tae thank ye, Elaine, for the very brave and noble thing ye did.”
The fact that she couldn't look Elaine in the eyes indicated that this was a very uncomfortable situation for the older woman. And given Elaine's position, it was not surprising. It cannot be easy to express gratitude to someone onedoes not want to live in one's home.
In some way, Elaine wished she could tell Lady MacDougall who she really was. And yet, would that not be worse? If his mother discovered her real reason for being there, she would hate her even more. Neither option was better than the other. Currently, she was despised for being a woman who lay with men for money. Surely, she would be even more despised if it was known that she was lying and trying to steal from her son.
“I only did what any other would have done, my Lady,” she replied. “I am only happy that both ye and Keir are safe and well.”
Lady MacDougall looked a little surprised at her reply and shook her head in wonder. “I’m nae sure I can agree with yer assessment, Elaine. If ye were a soldier o’ the laird, I might understand yer reasoning, but… anyway,” the woman sighed, trailing off from her train of thought.
“I hope ye dinnae mind my saying so, my Lady. But I am glad that we have finally been able tae have this conversation. I only wish it could have been under better circumstances than yer life being at risk. While I am grateful for yer visit, I ken my presence here is nae yer desire.
“It is nae ye personally, Elaine. I am only thinking o’ Duncan’s reputation, and in the long term, his well-being. He has suffered much. More than a man ought, in fact,” she said sadly. “Yet, I suppose, if ye bring him some comfort, I ought tae be satisfied with that. At least until…” Lady MacDougall suddenly halted, and then shook her head, smiling. “Never mind. It has nae evaded my notice that apart from Duncan, ye dinnae have many companions here.”
Aye, because of ye.
“Perhaps, after such an experience,” Lady MacDougall continued, “for I am told ye were close tae being killed yersel, there is someone ye are close tae that ye might want tae see or talk tae. I cannae ken if Duncan has offered such a notion, but if it pleases ye, maybe ye would like tae invite someone tae come and see ye at the castle, since ye are now officially residing here.”
“Thank ye, my Lady. Yer kindness is very gracious. I will certainly consider yer suggestion.”
Lady MacDougall nodded. “Well, I am sure I’ve taken up enough of yer time, Elaine. Once more, I thank ye for yer courage. I can hardly express tae ye what yer actions mean tae me, if nae for mysel’, then certainly for my eldest son,” she said, standing from her chair.
Lady MacDougall walked across the room and with her hand on the door, turned toward her again. “I will bid ye farewell, for now, and mind what I said about inviting someone tae talk tae.”
“I will, my Lady. Thank ye.”
Elaine breathed a sigh of relief when the door closed behind her. Anxiety dropped like a heavy yoke from her shoulders. Even though Lady MacDougall had only been there for a short time, the entire situation had made Elaine nervous. While Duncan had fully accepted her as his mistress and trusted the reasons for her presence, Elaine, not knowing his mother's mind, was concerned she was there for more than simply expressing her gratitude.
It was now clear, however, that Lady MacDougall knew nothing of her deception. For Elaine could not imagine she would not have said something or intimated her suspicions if she had. From the little she knew about her, she was not a woman to be trifled with. Elaine’s secret was still safe, which meant, in the long run, so was Rhona’s life. For now.
Thinking about Lady MacDougall’s suggestion of a visitor, Elaine wandered around her chamber in deep thought. For she could not think of a single person she could ask to come and see her. She had not revealed that to Duncan’s mother, of course. The woman would surely think it strange. Yet, with Angus and Rhona gone, no other whom she was close to came to mind. After some time and considering the lack of people she had in her life, Elaine suddenly thought of Allison.
Under the most unexpected of circumstances, they had formed a bond of sorts. And while their relationship had begun on rocky ground, they had made a connection that Elaine could never have imagined. Allison was open and kind. She had helped her when she had no reason to. Though she hadn't told Elaine much, her being a lady of pleasure came more from necessity than choice. She wondered if any woman would choose such a profession. She couldn't make such an assumption because she didn't know much about such things until recently, but she couldn't understand how any woman would willingly go into such work.
Returning to her desk, she grabbed piece of paper and taking her quill, began her missive to Allison.
Dearest Allison,
I am writing this missive in the hopes that it finds ye well. Life here at the castle has been tumultuous tae say the least, especially after the invasion that I am certain ye have heard about by now. I hope ye have nae worried for my health. Though there were some casualties, I am safe and well.
Lady MacDougall has granted me permission tae invite a friend tae come see me here, which is why I am writing tae ye. It would nae be a lie tae say that I am in need of a friend, for my presence here is nae looked upon favorably. On some days, the isolation has been more than difficult, and though the laird has been good and kind, the same cannot be said of many others.
If ye can make the time tae come and visit, I would be grateful of your company. I hope tae hear back from ye soon with an answer.