She waited until the door closed before turning her attention back to Hattie. “I understand that the boys are used to getting into mischief.”
More than one woman scoffed.
“Mischief?” The amount of dismay in her tone said much.
Mayhap the accounts of the lads adventurous spirits weren’t exaggerated after all.
An idea began to form in her mind. One that she was quite certain would help keep her brothers-by-law out of trouble and hopefully get them back into the good graces of the clan. “When lads that age have nothin’ to do, they will find something to do, would ye nae agree?”
Hattie opened her mouth and closed it as she began twisting the hem of her apron between her fingers. “I-I suppose so, m’lady.”
“And if left unsupervised, lads that age will find the most disagreeable mischief to get into, would ye also agree?”
More stammering from the cook.
“I think it is time we keep the lads busy,” Aeschene told her. “Too busy to get into trouble. Does that not sound like a good idea?”
Hattie was trying to formulate a good reply when Aeschene heard a familiar voice mumble something quite ugly from a few feet away.
“Would ye care to repeat that a little louder please?” There was no denying the anger in Aeschene’s voice. While she might be blind, she wasn’t deaf. She had heard Loreen as plain as day. They need beaten and frequently.
‘Twasn’t just what the young woman had said but how she had said it that set Aeschene’s teeth on edge. All work came to a standstill. “Or would ye mayhap like to offer that suggestion to yer laird?”
Each of her questions were met with silence, further angering Aeschene. “Loreen, I asked ye a question.”
“And I heard ye,” Loreen replied before slamming a cooking pot down on the table. “I said naught that no one else hasn’t thought before. Those lads have been left to run wild.”
“That may well be true, but no longer,” Aeschene told her bitingly.
Loreen scoffed openly as she angrily shoved her hands on her hips. “And ye think ye can get them to heel?”
“Heel?” Aeschene was doing her best not to wrap her fingers around the young woman’s neck.
Marisse stepped between the two women. “They are not dogs, Loreen. They are boys. Boys who need a little guidance and structure.”
“Bah!” Loreen dismissed the idea at once. “Do not come in here with yer high and mighty attitudes.”
Aeschene shoved her way between the two women before things got out of hand.
“Stop!” she shouted.
She waited for calm before saying another word. Although she would have enjoyed wringing Loreen’s neck, she knew in her heart that diplomacy was called for. “I believe we all want the same things, here.”
“Ye wish to leave as much as we want ye to?” Loreen quipped, her voice laced with venom. Marisse was ready to pounce and ’twas all Aeschene could do to hold her back.
Before Aeschene could tell Loreen exactly what she thought of her rudeness, Raibeart and Colyne returned. “Where would ye like the water?” Raibeart asked from the doorway, a bucket in each hand.
Hattie actually smiled at the boys. “On the table if ye please.”
The last thing she wanted was to have her brothers-by-law to witness her being anything less than stoic. She also didn’t want them to hear anything ugly from Loreen’s mouth. While they might be hellions on a good day, they were still young and impressionable.
“Thank ye, boys,” she said taking a step back. Turning once again to Hattie, she said, “Now how can we help?”
There was a palpable tension in the kitchens while Aeschene, Marisse, and the boys helped as much as possible. Aeschene couldn’t help but to believe that the room was usually a bustling hive of activity. Whether it was the fact that their new mistress was within or the after effects of the earlier argument that drove people to muteness, she didn’t know. However, she refused to cower or hie off and hide.
Once the lads finished washing the last of the cooking pots, she declared loud enough for all to hear, what a fine job they had done. Marisse would later tell her that the smile on the lads’ faces were bright enough to light the darkest of rooms.
In her heart of hearts, she knew she was on the right path. Killing two birds with one stone as it were. Not only was she going to prove to her new family and clan that she was worthy of being here, she was also showing them that Raibeart and Colyne were good young men.
Richard hadn’t returned for the nooning meal. Much to her disappointment, she didn’t see him again until just before the evening meal.
She had been waiting for him in their bed chamber, eager to share her ideas with him. However, the moment he entered the chamber she could sense he was in no mood for a conversation.
“God’s teeth, but I am done in,” he declared. He sounded fatigued.
“A long day?” she asked, testing the waters as it were.
“A long few years,” he muttered under his breath.
She wasn’t certain how to respond. “What ye need is a good meal.”
“I fear I must change and leave immediately,” he told her.
“Why?” she asked, trying to mask her disappointment.
“There has been a skirmish at our western border. Thankfully, no one was killed. Only a few minor injuries.”
Relief washed over her at the news that no one was killed. She placed one hand over her heart and gave thanks to God.
“But I must leave,” he said. “I will not be back until late.”
She couldn’t help to feel disappointed. Not only had she been looking forward to telling him of her plans for his brothers, she had also been eager to share a few intimate moments together, as man and wife. Putting forth a stoic posture and face, she did her best to be supportive. “Promise me ye will not get hurt.”
Richard chuckled lightly. “I shall endeavor to do my best.”
Dawn arrived, bringing with it much needed sunshine and only slightly warmer weather. Aeschene woke to find herself once again, alone in a cold bed and colder room. The embers in the hearth had died out long ago.
Fear struck at her heart with images of her husband lying dead somewhere, dying to protect his lands and family. Just why her mind went there, to those thought so rapidly, she didn’t know. But there they went.
Tossing the blankets aside, she made quick work to wash her hands and face and dress. All the while her heart pounded mercilessly against her breast. Please, God, keep him safe. Dread and fear assailed her and try as she might, she couldn’t get those images or the worry to cease.
In no time, she was knocking on Marisse’s door. She didn’t bother with waiting for permission to enter. Slipping into the room, she knew immediately that her friend was still asleep. The room was dark and still.
“Marisse, please wake up,” she whispered as she sat on the bed and shook Marisse’s shoulder.
A grumble of something indecipherable was her only reply.
“Please, Marisse. Richard has not yet returned. I am worried.”
Another grumble and muttered curses before Marisse sat up on one elbow. “And ye are picturin’ him lyin’ dead somewhere, aye?”