around her waist, as if they were missing their own wives.
When she stole a glance at her husband, Bram moved in, his breath warm against her cheek. ‘Hard at work, was I?’
‘It seemed that way to me.’ She was finding it difficult to concentrate with his body so near.
To distract herself, she took another sip of mead. Bram pulled the cup away and drank from the same place where her mouth had rested. The look in his eyes had transformed into something more alive. She’d managed to take his mind off his sorrows, and now, he was eyeing her as though he had every intention of seducing her.
When they sat down with Alex and Laren, she noticed that the Lady of Glen Arrin had hardly touched her food. If it were possible, Laren looked even more uncomfortable than Bram.
Though Alex talked with his kinsmen, seeming to enjoy the food and drink, he hardly spoke to his wife.
But as Nairna watched them a little longer, she saw the way Alex stole glances at Laren from time to time. He was looking at her with a blend of longing and frustration, as though he didn’t know how to make things right between them.
‘Thank you for such wonderful food,’ Nairna said to Laren. With a chagrined smile, she added, ‘Next time, I’ll help you. I feel terrible that you had to do this alone.’
‘It was good,’ Alex said softly.
Laren’s attention jerked to her husband and she dropped her gaze, looking embarrassed. She toyed with her food for a few moments longer, then said to Alex, ‘I’m going to go and make sure the girls have gone to bed.’
The chief didn’t reply as she slipped away silently, but Nairna saw the way he never took his eyes off Laren.
Nairna leaned closer to Bram. ‘Why wouldn’t their children have eaten with us?’
‘I don’t know. I suppose they must have eaten earlier.’
‘Has it always been this way between them?’ she whispered.
He shrugged, and she took that to mean he didn’t know. After all, his brother had married during Bram’s imprisonment.
‘Would you mind if I went to speak with Laren?’ she asked. ‘I’d like to meet her daughters.’
‘Go, if you like. But I’m not staying here much longer. You can meet me in the grain hut.’
He lifted her hand to his mouth, pressing a kiss upon her palm. The warmth of his breath made her flesh rise up and a ripple of anxiety flowed through her as she wondered if Bram would find her pleasing as a wife.
Nairna followed the winding stairs to the second floor where there were only two chambers. Voices came from inside the first room and she listened a moment to the sounds of girls chattering.
She pushed the door open slightly and saw two girls, one hardly more than four, and a chubby baby girl, perhaps a little over a year old. Each had hair as red as an autumn leaf, with sweet faces and bright blue eyes.
A pang of envy struck Nairna hard, seeing the beautiful children. One day, she reminded herself. She had to hold faith that God would answer her prayers.
Laren was brushing the older girl’s hair, while the child whined, ‘Mama, that hurts!’
‘Mairin, stand still and let me get the tangles out,’ Laren said. No longer did the chief’s wife appear timid and overwhelmed. Instead, she seemed relaxed and in command of her children.
But as soon as she caught sight of Nairna, the brush stilled. ‘Was there something you needed?’
‘I wanted to meet your children,’ Nairna said, smiling at the girls. The youngest daughter ran over and grasped Laren’s skirts before burying her face to hide. Her wispy red hair stuck out around her ears in wild curls and Nairna had the urge to kiss the soft little cheeks.
‘This is Adaira.’ Laren extricated her daughter from her skirts. ‘Mairin is my eldest.’
The child gave a slight curtsy, but looked suspicious. She strode forwards and studied Nairna. ‘I don’t like your gown.’
‘Mairin,’ her mother warned. ‘Don’t be rude.’
Nairna pulled a stool over and sat down. ‘That’s all right. I don’t really like it, either, but I don’t have many gowns.’
‘Me, either.’ Mairin sighed. ‘I wish we’d gone away with the others.’
‘Why didn’t you?’ Though Nairna spoke to the young girl, her eyes met Laren’s.
‘Our da needs us,’ Mairin pronounced. ‘He’d cry if we left.’
Laren’s face softened at her daughter’s prediction. ‘It’s time that both of you were in bed. Come now, and say good night.’
She leaned down to kiss each of them and Nairna studied the gloves that Laren still wore. Though it was cold enough, true, she couldn’t imagine why the woman kept them on unless it was to hide something.
As each child was tucked into bed, Laren sent Nairna a nod of dismissal.
‘Wait. I wanted to speak with you.’ If there were any answers to be had, the Lady of Glen Arrin would know them. ‘Please.’
Reluctance coloured Laren’s expression, but she finally acquiesced. ‘For a moment.’ She led Nairna down the small corridor to the other chamber.
Inside, a stunning tapestry hung from the walls. The bold colours were captivating and something about the design struck Nairna as unusual. It was a common scene of Saint John the Baptist, yet the colours were vibrant.
‘Did you make that?’ Nairna asked. It was artistry such as she’d never seen before. Worthy of hanging within a palace, if the truth be known.
Laren nodded. ‘What did you wish to ask me?’ From her dull tone, it appeared that she was uncomfortable with having to converse.
‘Why did the women leave?’ Nairna asked.
‘Because of the English raids,’ Laren said. ‘Lady Grizel, Alex’s mother, led them to take refuge with Lord Locharr. There was too much fighting and she thought they would be safer there.’
‘And you chose not to go with them?’ Nairna prompted. Though it was only curiosity, she hadn’t expected the look of hurt that crossed Laren’s face.
‘They left without me. And for almost a sennight I didn’t know where they’d gone.’ Laren gripped her elbows, taking a breath. ‘I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to join them. But my chance is gone. Alex won’t ever let us leave.’
‘But the fighting has stopped, hasn’t it?’
Laren’s expression tightened. ‘Oh, I’ve no doubt it will start up again. It always does.’ Murmuring a farewell, she returned to her girls.
Nairna was left to wonder what she meant by that.
Bram wasn’t inside the
