“But we haven’t gotten to know ye yet,” Aeschene replied.
Keevah ignored the protest. “Some other time, mayhap.” And with that, she returned to her cottage.
Confused, Marisse and Aeschene turned to Rory for an explanation.
“Why on earth do they call her the auld whore?” Marisse asked as she got to her feet.
Rory smiled most deviously. “Agree to extend our previous walking arrangement and I will tell ye.”
Aeschene rolled her eyes as she pushed to her feet. “Really, Rory! If ye want to walk with Marisse, just ask her. Ye need nae be such a criminal about it.”
Rory laughed heartily as he tucked Aeschene’s hand into the crook of his arm. “Ye think my tactics are criminal?”
Marisse answered that particular question as she fell in beside them. “I most certainly do!”
Rory gave her a sideways glance and grinned.
Ignoring Marisse’s comment, he suggested his lady ask her husband the why of things as they pertained to Keevah.
Aeschene didn’t believe her husband for a moment when he said he had no idea why Keevah was called the auld whore. He had stammered before he answered and she could hear his embarrassment.
Richard had entered their bed chamber moments ago. Normally, she gave him peace and solitude to change out of his dirty clothes. Normally, she would save conversing with him for when they supped. But these questions weren’t the kind she felt were proper to ask in front of his younger brothers.
She sighed as she wrapped her arms around her chest. “Ye ken that I will eventually find out.”
She couldn’t be certain, but she was nearly positive he was rolling his eyes in exasperation. “Lass, I dunnae ken the why of it. Keevah arrived here at least a year before I returned from the MacDougalls. I have heard only whispers and rumors. Out of respect for the woman I refuse to repeat them.”
Oh, she didn’t like it when he used honor and respect like that. The heat crept up her neck making her face grow warm. Sighing, she said, “I appreciate the respect ye are showing her.”
“Mayhap ye should ask her yerself,” he suggested.
Her eyes grew as wide as the wheels on a handcart. “Ye dunnae care if I befriend her?”
“Of course not,” he said as he pulled his boots off.
“Well, will ye please tell Rory that? He didn’t seem to like the fact that Marisse and I were talking to her.”
Richard chuckled and gave a slight shake of his head. “I am certain he was only trying to protect yer reputation, lass. But aye, I shall inform him that I see no problem with ye befriending Keevah.”
Feeling rather victorious, her lips curved into a warm smile. “Thank ye husband.”
She couldn’t wait to go and see Keevah on the morrow.
Chapter Eighteen
With the repairs done to every cottage and hut near the keep, Aeschene worried over how she would keep Raibeart and Colyne occupied. In hindsight, she shouldn’t have, for there was plenty more work to be done.
Much to her delight, Richard announced he and his men were going on a hunt and Raibeart and Colyne would be joining them. Oh, how she wished she could have seen the pride she was certain beamed in the young boys’ eyes!
The hunting party left just after dawn. Richard left Lachlan in charge of the keep as well as Aeschene’s protection. Just what she needed protection from, she wasn’t certain. But if it gave her husband a measure of comfort knowing someone was watching over her, she wouldn’t deny him that.
Aeschene and Marisse had formulated a plan as it pertained to Keevah. They were bound and determined to befriend the young woman, no matter what.
Lachlan did not appear the least bit thrilled to be playing nursemaid to two grown women. But he did take his duties quite seriously.
As soon as they were done breaking their fast, Marisse and Aeschene headed to the door. Lachlan raced ahead, opened it for them, and followed them out.
Aeschene and Marisse ignored him as they walked through the gate, down the path, and right up to Keevah’s door. Lachlan didn’t utter a word. Instead, he stayed back, on the path, and watched.
Marisse tapped lightly on the door and waited. Moments later, the door opened just a crack. All she could see was one eye peering out.
“Good morn to ye, Keevah,” Marisse said cheerfully.
The eye darted from Marisse to Aeschene.
“We were wondering if ye would like to join us for the nooning meal,” Aeschene said with a hopeful smile. “Most of the men folk are away on a hunt. We thought mayhap ye’d like to come up to the keep.”
“Me?” Keevah asked incredulously. “In the keep?”
“Aye. Ye, in the keep, with us, for the nooning meal.”
Finally, Keevah opened the door and stepped outside. “M’lady, I dunnae think that is a good idea.”
“Why not?” Aeschene asked. “Ye are a member of our clan, are ye nae?”
“Aye, I am.”
“All are welcome at our table,” Aeschene told her.
Keevah looked pleadingly to Marisse, then to Lachlan as if to say someone truly needs to explain the way of things to the lady.
“Hattie is making rabbit stew,” Marisse said by way of enticement.
“She makes the most delicious rabbit stew,” Aeschene added.
“And sweet cakes,” Marisse reminded her. “Dunnae forget the sweet cakes.”
Keevah looked once again to Lachlan for help. Smiling at her, he gave her a nod. “They will not give up until ye accept,” he told her. “So ye might as well give in.”
Aeschene held her breath, waiting patiently for the woman to accept their invitation.
Reluctantly, Keevah finally agreed.
Marisse and Aeschene felt rather victorious as they hugged the surprised young woman. “Good!” Aeschene exclaimed. “We shall see ye in a few hours.”
Taken aback by her lady’s invitation, Keevah stood on the path long after the women left.
Keevah arrived right on time with a loaf of dark bread and a crock of berry jam as a gift. During the meal, her eyes kept scanning the room as if she were a warrior on heightened alert, waiting for an attack.
Although there were a few surprised faces on the serving maids when they saw Keevah at the table, they were able to maintain their shock. Alyce, it seemed, went out of her way to be kind to the young woman.
They enjoyed a lovely meal together as they chatted and got to know one another. Keevah’s nervousness slowly faded as she grew more and more comfortable.
Lachlan stayed in the background, carefully watching and listening. Occasionally, he’d grin and shake his head when the women laughed and giggled.
After their meal, they moved to sit by the hearth, soaking up the warmth of the fire. Marisse had already taken note of the finely woven shawl Keevah wore. It looked as soft as silk and as warm as a bear skin. Woven in shades of blues and greens, it was quite lovely. “Keevah, did ye make yer shawl?”
“Aye, I did,” she replied with a smile.
Marisse described the shawl to Aeschene. “Oh! When I could see, my favorite colors were blue and green.”
“Might I ask a question, m’lady?”
“Please, call me Aeschene.”