He smothered a smile with the back of his hand and then summoned a more serious expression. She glared at him for his thoughts were plainly written in his smug look.
“He probably boasted to everyone,” she muttered.
“Your pardon, my lady?” Cormac said as he leaned forward.
“Nothing.”
“ ’Tis approaching the noon meal. Perhaps another hour at most. If you like, I’ll ask Gertie for a plate if you’re hungry now.”
Her stomach growled at the suggestion of food, but a wary glance at the kitchen when another crash sounded decided the matter for her.
“Nay, I can wait. I have other things to do.”
She set off at a determined pace, hoping Cormac would take the hint and leave off. But he dogged her steps, keeping pace with her as she descended the steps of the keep.
She was greeted by a blast of sunshine that warmed her despite the chill. She hadn’t remembered the shawl that Maddie had left for her, and she was loath to go back up the stairs to fetch it. Unless …
She turned and gifted Cormac with a sweet smile. “I left my shawl in the laird’s chamber and there is still a chill to the air. Would you mind ever so much fetching it for me?”
“Of course not, my lady. It wouldn’t do for you to take a chill. The laird would be most unhappy. Wait right here and I’ll have it for you in just a moment.”
She stood demurely until the moment he disappeared back into the keep and then she set off at a brisk walk, careful to avoid the courtyard. On the way, she stopped two women and asked if they knew where she could find Maddie. After being told that Maddie was in her cottage after her morning duties, Mairin hurried toward the row of neat cottages that lined the left side of the keep.
When she reached Maddie’s door, she took a deep breath and knocked. A moment later, Maddie opened the door and seemed surprised to see Mairin standing there.
“My lady! Is there something I can help you with?”
Mairin glanced over her shoulder to make sure Cormac wasn’t breathing down her neck.
“There is. That is, I hoped there is something you could instruct me on,” Mairin said in a low voice. “In private.”
Maddie stepped back and motioned Mairin inside. “Of course. Do come in. Would you like refreshment? I was warming some rabbit stew over the fire. My husband does like a nice hot bowl of stew for his luncheon, but he won’t be here to eat for a little while yet.”
Remembering her missed breakfast and her rumbling belly, Mairin sniffed appreciatively of the air and the wonderful smell emanating from Maddie’s kitchen.
“If ’tis not too much trouble. I did oversleep this morning,” Mairin said mournfully. Maddie smiled and gestured for Mairin to follow her into the small area that housed the hearth for cooking. “I heard Gertie was in quite a temper this morning.”
Mairin nodded. “ ’Tis the truth I feared for my life if I ventured in after missing the morning meal.”
Maddie pulled out a chair and ushered Mairin into it and then set about dishing up some of the stew into a bowl. She handed it to Mairin and then took her own seat across the table.
“Now, my lady, what is it you would like me to instruct you on?”
Before Mairin could open her mouth, a knock sounded at the front door. Maddie frowned but got up to see about the summons. A moment later she returned with Christina and Bertha, whose eyes rounded when they saw Mairin sitting at Maddie’s table.
“Oh, my lady,” Christina exclaimed. “We were just coming to see if Maddie knew of your whereabouts. Cormac has the entire keep in an uproar trying to find you.”
Mairin let out a sigh. “I persuaded him to fetch my shawl so I could seek Maddie’s advice about something. ’Tis a private matter, you see, and not appropriate for Cormac’s ears.”
Bertha grinned broadly. “Then we needn’t tell him where you are.”
Mairin nodded her appreciation and fully expected the two women to depart, but both sat down at Maddie’s table, and Bertha leaned forward in interest.
“What is it you wish instruction on, my lady? We’re all willing to help. You’re our mistress now.”
“Our lady said it was a private matter,” Maddie scolded.
Mairin nodded. “Aye. A delicate matter, indeed.”
Warmth traveled into her cheeks and she was sure her face was afire.
“Ah, a woman’s matter,” Bertha said knowingly. “You can tell us, lass. We’re very discreet.”
Maddie nodded her agreement while Christina looked on in puzzlement.
“Well,” Mairin began reluctantly. “Perhaps it would be better to gain more than one perspective on the matter. ’Tis the truth I’m a bit confused at the conflicting information. You see, Mother Serenity instructed me on the ways of loving.”