A Perfect Wife(7)

An older woman bustled in as Malcolm finished speaking. Bessie had been her mother’s right hand and had continued in her role with Kiera. She’d not seen the woman since returning from the sheiling. Her face was red as she bobbed.

“I’se Bessie, Laird Malcolm. Tis sorry I am, but I was given orders, and not to tell Lady Kiera why.”

“By who?” demanded Duff.

“Lady Euphemia Chisholm.” Bessie’s face showed her disgust. “She’s an older kinswoman of Lady Silean. She arrived for yer wedding. After Laird MacKenzie rode out she took Lady Silean’s keys, sent her to bed, and looked in every room and cupboard in the castle.” She looked at Kiera. “She waited for ye to go to the garden. She liked yer bed and things and ordered them moved to her chamber.”

“Who is she to do this?” demanded Duff.

“’Tis said she’s here to advise Silean on how to be a proper lady. Silean kens naught of this as her belly has kept her to her chambers, guarded by the dragon.”

It all made sense. The old woman no doubt saw a young wife and an old laird and, thinking him besotted, decided to gain power. As Kiera had acted as Lady for her father she was a threat. Her shame at her past behavior to her kin, and uncertainty as to why she’d been shunned, had kept her in her chambers, allowing the woman to gain power.

She was the reason Kiera was not there to welcome her husbands home! Sudden fury hit.

“Put me down!” She struggled until Malcolm set her feet on the floor. He kept one arm around her waist as she faced him.

“I spent the first three days you were gone finishing my weaving,” she told him. “The next day was sunny, so I went out to the garden. When I came in my bed, chairs, and table were gone. No one would say why. I thought they were being packed until other things happened as well. I thought ’twas MacKenzies gaining revenge. I’ve said some things over the years for which I am ashamed.”

“Nay, my lady! We kenned why ye were fashed after Bertie’s kin tossed ye away, and why the laird’s new wife vexed ye. Ye did well after Lady Elizabeth passed, and Lady Silean hasna taken the same care.” Bessie hesitated. “Aye, there was a few what wished to give a bit back at ye, but naught like this!”

Kiera was glad for Malcolm’s strong arm holding her to his warm chest. She’d blamed her weakness on the babe she carried, but her frustration, lack of sleep, and worry about what her father was likely telling her husbands had taken its toll as well.

“Do I speak to Laird MacKenzie?” murmured Malcolm in her ear. “We had no women at Duncladach and shared what little we had. Jealousy is not something I ken well.”

“When are we leaving?” she asked, pleased he’d looked to her for an answer. “I willna make Bessie take apart the bed and bring it here for a night or two.”

“Ah, but they need to take it apart anyway,” said Duff. He winked. “It is going to Kinrowan for us to share.”

Bessie blanched, then bobbed a curtsy. “My pardon, laird, I was told—”

“’Tis not yer fault, Bessie,” said Malcolm. “Silean’s harpy will soon discover she doesna rule Castle Leod.” He tightened his hold on Kiera. “I am sure Laird MacKenzie will tell her so.”

“He’s hankering for a battle as we saw no Rosses to fight,” added Duff with a chuckle.

Bessie bobbed again. This time she was smiling. “I will gladly take yer orders, Laird Malcolm and Master Duff.”

“Good. Laird MacKenzie said my wife is to take whatever she wishes.” Malcolm tilted his face to Kiera. “Yer father said ye’d like some of yer mother’s things. He’s also gifting ye with a chess set. There was none at Kinrowan, and he kens how ye enjoy losing.”

“Losing? I beat Duff—”

Malcolm’s quirked eyebrow stopped her response. She cleared her throat and looked away. She trembled in relief that her kin had not thought so badly of her as to attack once they knew she was leaving.

“I want a thick pallet, big enough for the three of us, brought immediately,” ordered Malcolm. “Three chairs and a table, food, and a fire lit. We will need more hot water and a screen to keep in the heat from the fire. Tomorrow is soon enough for Kiera’s bed to be prepared for moving. Unless ye wish to take it from this Chisholm dragon now.”

“’Twill be taken down during supper, Laird Malcolm. And glad I am of it!” Bessie scurried out, beaming.

Malcolm kissed the top of Kiera’s head. He’d done it without thinking, as if she was now a part of his life. That, more than anything, warmed her heart.