As they walked back to the keep together, Mairead said, “This seems so odd. I have always been ‘the sister,’ or ‘the daughter’ or ‘the aunt,’ but here I won’t be those things.”
“Ye’ll still be my sister,” said Flan.
“Aye, she will,” said Tadhg, “but now she will be your lady as well, just as I am your brother-in-law, but I am your laird, too.”
“Laird MacBain is also my brother-in-law.”
“Aye, but ye aren’t Laird MacBain’s squire; ye are mine. Ye must never forget that now.”
He nodded solemnly. “Aye, Laird, I won’t forget it.”
“Lady Matheson,” said Mairead, as if trying to become accustomed to the sound of it. “It’s a little daunting. I mean—I know what is expected and how to manage a laird’s household. Mama made sure we all did. But still, I never really thought...” Truthfully, she was more than well equipped to manage his household. As the last unmarried daughter at home, she had taken on many responsibilities to help her mother.
“What, lass?” he prodded.
“I guess I just never imagined being married to the laird of a clan. I assumed the only home I would ever manage would be the one I was raised in.” She considered everything for a moment before adding, “I guess the rest of my life starts now.”
“Aye, little bride, it does. And if I haven’t told ye yet, I’m glad it will be with me.”
Seven
To her dismay, the rest of Mairead’s life started like a dive into an icy mountain loch.
She and Flan may have been forlorn to watch their family leave that morning, but it didn’t take her long to realize most of the staff at Cnocreidh were ecstatic, and they didn’t hide it well.
When her family arrived, Tadhg had asked Lady MacKenzie if she wished to oversee the final wedding preparations and had given instructions for his staff to give her their full support. Mairead’s protective family met all of her needs and gave orders to the staff on her behalf. It was traditional for a bride to be pampered in the days before the wedding, and Mairead most certainly was. Tadhg himself barely let her out of his sight and didn’t allow her to lift a finger. She wasn’t too proud to admit she had needed their attention. She suspected every bride entering a new clan would want to feel the same kind of love and support. Therefore, with the attention of her family and groom, as well as having so many other things about which to worry, the only member of the household staff with whom Mairead had interacted significantly was Elspet.
So after her family departed and Tadhg had gone to train with his men, Mairead sought out Elspet. She believed the best way to start managing her new household was to get an idea of the established routine. Elspet was very helpful. She explained the division of labor between herself and Tadhg’s steward Oren. “When Lady Matheson died there were no daughters or close female relatives to run the household. I was in charge of the staff at the time, and old Laird Matheson entrusted the running of the castle jointly to me and Oren.”
“So ye shared the responsibilities? Ye were equals?”
“Not exactly. Although it may have been what the old laird intended, Oren continued his duties as steward but also assumed responsibility for the craftsmen and the planning of the meals. I handle the management of the keep.”
“The steward plans meals?” Mairead was more than a little surprised by this news.
Elspet laughed. “Aye, he does. At the time, he made the argument that since he was the most familiar with our resources he was, therefore, the person best able to do it. Frankly, the truth is much simpler. Oren loves to eat better than any man I know and, as fate would have it, his wife is a terrible cook. She is a truly gifted weaver but hopeless in the kitchen. Oren takes most of his meals in the keep, and he is well satisfied with the meals he plans. Nevertheless, I’m sure ye can begin to assume the responsibility. It certainly is your right as Lady Matheson.”
“Well, I don’t want to intrude, but yes, I would prefer to make those decisions.”
Elspet also explained the daily routine of the household staff. “Normally the day would begin with Mass, just after dawn. However, with Father Keenan away and Father Colm having returned to Duncurra with the MacIans, there is no one to say Mass for a spell. So after breakfast I guide the women in the work that needs to be accomplished. I try to see the things that must be done on a daily basis completed before the midday meal. In the afternoon, I address whatever else is needed.”
“Aye, it was much the same at ho—at Carraigile. Usually after breakfast, my mother also met with the baker and the head cook to finalize plans for the day’s meals. Then either she or I would meet with the steward in order to have a general idea of our inventories on a daily basis.”