in Ciara, for she stood rigidly now and her hands trembled. He hoped that she would get a good night’s rest before tackling the serious matter with her parents.
They entered the keep and walked along the corridor until they reached the hall. Tables had been set up with food and Tavis nodded to those he passed on the way to the front of the hall. Though servant in the Murrays’ hall, he had some status here and would give his report directly to Connor after the others left.
The guests were introduced to Duncan and Marian, as well as Rurik and some other of Connor’s retainers and his steward, and then seated. Some informal conversation went on while the food was served and he noticed how quiet Ciara was through it all. The welcome from her parents had been a warm one and he watched as she melted into her mother’s embrace. A few words were exchanged and then Ciara was seated between her parents and James.
It was a simple meal, but nourishing and filling and very satisfying after the meals on the journey. It took a short time and soon Gair, Connor’s steward, escorted the Murrays to the chambers above that had been prepared for them.
Less than an hour after they reached the keep, all was quiet and Connor waited in his chambers for Tavis’s report. He gave Connor time to speak to Jocelyn before climbing the steps and was surprised, though he should not have been, to find her with Connor when he entered.
‘So, tell me of the Murrays and their heir,’ Connor began.
He spoke about the lands, the holdings, the people and then the family, giving his personal opinion and making assessments as Connor asked questions. Then Tavis reported about the journey, both to and from Perthshire, along with his opinion of Lord and Lady Murray and James.
‘So, will this be a good match as well as a good treaty?’ Connor asked. Jocelyn watched him intently as he began to speak.
‘They seem companionable, from what I’ve seen,’ he admitted. ‘James is not opposed to taking her as wife.’
Connor snorted. ‘Certainly he is not! With what that family will gain from this, he would take my horse to wife if it was offered.’
‘Connor!’ Jocelyn warned with a word. Tavis forced a laugh at Connor’s attempt at humour and Jocelyn gave him a dark look, too. This particular truth hurt more than others, for Ciara was simply a means to an end for the Murrays and her virtue and honour, present or missing, meant nothing to them if it brought them the wealth they needed.
Connor shrugged as though he had not said anything offensive and then asked, ‘And what of Ciara? Will this match suit her?’
The silence that filled the room was deafening as they waited on his answer. It seemed to matter a great deal to the laird if she would be happy. As though he’d heard Tavis’s thoughts, Connor nodded.
‘She is the first of our children to be given off in marriage,’ the laird explained.
Tavis understood Connor meant the first from among him and Duncan and Rurik, though his own daughter would most likely be next for a marriage arrangement, if one was not already being planned.
Tavis tried, he really did, but this time answering a question that would result in the marriage going forwards stopped him. He pushed his hair away from his face and rubbed his forehead. He just could not seem to say the words of approval this time. He’d tried convincing Ciara that the match was a good one for her and hated every word he spoke on its behalf.
‘You will have to ask her that question, Connor. Only the lass knows for certain.’
Connor frowned and Jocelyn smiled and Tavis did not know which reaction he should worry over more. Knowing his words would be taken as something they were not, he tried to explain.
‘Ciara knows that this is your will. That this agreement will benefit both clans. That it is her duty to accept it unless there are serious reasons not to. I think that she will do her duty.’
Now Connor smiled and Jocelyn frowned, making him more nervous.
‘I will speak to Duncan in the morn after he’s spoken to her.’
‘She knows.’
The words hung out there between them and no explanation was needed as to what she knew.
‘Did Iain tell her?’
‘Nay, she overheard a conversation about her mother. She asked me to confirm it.’
‘What did you tell her, Tavis?’ Jocelyn asked, worry and concern threading her voice.
‘I told her I did not know the whole truth of it, only that I’d heard the same rumours. ’Twas not my place, Jocelyn,’ he said.
‘Nay, ’twas not. We’d all hoped there would be no need. That no one would be foolish enough to speak of the past with her.’
‘And no one did. The lass overheard a private talk between father and son that she was not meant to hear. James apologised to her and to me, on your behalf. He understands the seriousness of raising such insults now.’
‘I do not envy Marian this night,’ Jocelyn said quietly. ‘’tis a terrible thing when sins of the past rise to meet you.’
The laird and his wife both shared the same haunted expression, clearly thinking of the same matter and one that he had not been privy to all those years ago. He’d been a boy when Connor got his reputation as the Beast of the Highlands and the rumours flew about him killing his first wife. When he was of an age to serve and began under Duncan’s supervision, no one said or believed such things. From the glance just exchanged, there must be some truth to that rumour to cause such pain to both of them.
‘Is there anything else, Tavis?’ Connor asked.
‘Oh, Jocelyn, I spoke to your brother and he sends his greetings. He hopes to visit before the weather turns.’
Jocelyn smiled and Connor frowned. Athdar’s initial visit here was the cause of her being forced to marry Connor, but things were more cordial between them now.
‘My thanks, Tavis,’ Jocelyn said, walking over to where Connor stood. ‘And my thanks for carrying out this duty.’
‘’Twas my honour,’ Tavis said. ‘Connor. Jocelyn. I will see to my duties in the morn.’ Nodding to each of them, he turned and left the chamber.
He tried to ignore the anger that simmered just below the surface now. He attempted to convince himself of how good it would feel to sleep in his own bed and wake in his own house on the morrow. He walked swiftly through the keep, checked on the horses and wagons, then made his way out through the gates and down to the village. Without clear reason or intention, he took the path that passed by Duncan’s cottage.
Though a wealthy man, Duncan and Marian and their children lived simply, preferring a cottage in the village now to chambers in the keep. As he walked by, he noticed that no light came from within. Ciara had looked ready to drop, so he hoped she was resting before facing the troublesome conversation in the morn. The rest of the village was quiet and dark, as was his cottage.
He opened the door and found fresh water in a bucket on the table, along with some food—bread and cheese—wrapped next to it. He paid a few coins to one of the women in the village to see to its keep when he travelled on the laird’s
