Dangerous Pride (5 page)

After the unrelenting chill of winter, few complained about tasks that took them out-of-doors.  Land needed to be prepared for planting, and the stables required cleaning from top to bottom.  The castle itself needed to be aired, and scrubbed to remove the dirt and grime left behind by the peat fires.  Fresh rushes were cut to replace the old on the floors of the great hall.  Though her mother and Elizabeth viewed such work as beneath them, Catriona relished the opportunity to work alongside her kinsmen.  The prospect of spending the day trapped in the solar, tending to needlework, was more than she could bear.

The bright spring sun was just beginning to take the chill off the morning air as Catriona and Annella began their preparations. “Yer sure ye want tae do this today?” Annella asked, her expression hopeful.  Her plaid pulled tight around her for warmth, she knew there was little she could do to dissuade Catriona once her mind was set to something.  “There’s the promise of a beautiful, sunny day, and ye would see us making soap?”

Catriona laughed as the two women struggled to haul a huge tub to the fire that already burned outside the kitchen.  For the past few weeks, servants had collected ashes from the fires throughout the castle.  These had been soaked in water for several days, before the liquid was strained away.  The mixture was now ready to be mixed with fats to make soap.  The task was hard work, but it was something Catriona had enjoyed since she had first been taught the skill.

“If you can still yer tongue for a minute, we might be able to settle this over the fire,” Catriona replied as they struggled under the weight of the heavy wooden tub.  “Besides, the sooner we set this to warming, the sooner we can get to the kitchen to break our fast.”  Her reward looming near, Annella threw herself into the job with renewed interest, carefully adding the fat to the tub as Catriona stirred the contents.  The two women settled companionably into their task, and once they had banked the fires, they made their way back inside the keep.

The smell of freshly baked bread and strong coffee enveloped the young women as soon as they opened the door to the servant’s entrance.  The kitchen was located just a few paces into the building, and the sounds of food preparation could be heard clearly down the hallway.  Cook and her assistants were up hours before anyone else in the castle, preparing the breads, cheeses, cold meats and porridge that would be served in the morning. Tables that had been cleared away in the evening to make spaces for the men to sleep were brought back to the center of the great hall, along with benches and stools for seating.

Catriona often chose the warmth and comfort of the kitchen over the company of her family in the great hall.  The servants were used to her presence, and over the years had come to treat her as one of their own, forsaking the formality that was reserved for the rest of the Earl’s family.

“Ye’ve answered my prayers,” Annella cooed as she grabbed a fresh bannock from a tray by the fire, pausing only to pull a chair to the large table in the center of the kitchen.  “I could no’ go on much longer without this,” she said, waving the half-eaten bannock in the air, “no’ the way Catriona has me workin’.”

Catriona shot her friend an indulgent glance as she pulled her own chair to the table.  Cook placed dishes in front of them, and the pair wasted little time filling their bowls with the steaming oats.  The kitchen was a whirl of activity as Cook directed the staff with a cool, detached efficiency borne of years of experience.  Though it was yet early in the day, her apron was already thoroughly stained with flour and other ingredients.

Despite the fact that Cook was not much older than most of her staff, she commanded great respect from all the kitchen servants, who appreciated not only her kindly nature but her considerable skills.  Her ample waistline was testament to her own enjoyment of her abilities.  Even though she was barely 30 years, Cook’s once black hair was liberally streaked with grey, and the harsh lines that etched her face were evidence her life had not been easy.

Rabbie, one of the lads who worked in the stable, stuffed the last of his breakfast into his mouth and began to leave.  “Ye best no’ eat all them bannocks yerself, Annie, or ye’ll soon be too broad in the beam for the lads tae pay ye any notice.”

Annella reached out with her spoon and swatted the youngster on his way past the table.  “I will no’ have ye tellin’ me what I can and canna eat, Rabbie,” she said around a mouthful of porridge. “Ye best learn tae watch yer tongue while ye still have a few teeth left in that thick head.”  The only response to her halfhearted insults was a series of giggles from the kitchen lasses, Rabbie having long since made haste for the relative safety of the stables.

“That’s enough from ye, hen,” Cook scolded, shooting a sharp look in the young girl’s direction.  “Ye best break yer fast quick-like so ye can get back tae yer work.  ‘Tisn’t fair that yer mistress gets her hands dirty while ye sit on yer backside.”  Annella pretended to be hurt, but Catriona could see that her friend enjoyed the teasing, and could take as good as she gave.

Catriona wrapped her long, slender fingers around a steaming cup of coffee, enjoying the feeling of warmth as it spread through her.  She hadn’t much appetite early in the day, and only ate enough to give her the strength she needed to see her through to the afternoon meal.  “It looks to be the perfect day for making soap,” Catriona said, pausing to pick a few crumbs of bread off the serving platter.  “It does no’ look likely to rain, and it’s cool enough yet that we will no’ have to worry about fainting from the heat of the fire.”

Cook rolled her eyes in response as she stirred the porridge that warmed over the hearth.  “It is no’ fittin’ for the laird’s daughter tae be doin’ the work of a servant.”  The argument was one the pair had engaged in countless times over the years, but Catriona refused to rise to the bait.  With a resigned sigh, Cook turned to fix her daughter with a piercing gaze.  “At least I’ve ne’er kent ye tae complain about doin’ an honest day’s work, my lady – no’ like some.”

Annella waved off the criticism, content to savor the remains of her breakfast.  “Did ye say ye wanted tae add scent tae the soap, Catriona?” she asked, her words mumbled around bites of cheese.  “It matters no’ tae me, but I ken how yer sister loves it.”

Catriona nodded, frustrated at her forgetfulness.  In the weeks since the betrothal ceremony, she had been unusually distracted and unsettled.  If only she could have a good night’s sleep – one that wasn’t plagued by foolish dreams and self recrimination.  “Thank you for reminding me,” she replied sheepishly as she pushed back her chair and made her way to the door.  “I picked some flowers yesterday that will serve, but I left them in my saddle bag.  I’ll fetch them from the stables, and meet you outside when yer finished breakfast.”

With a quick word of thanks to Cook, Catriona left the kitchen, briskly making her way to the stables.  Regardless of how deeply Lachlan had hurt her, and how her heart ached at the prospect of his marriage to Elizabeth, she could hardly have her dark moods affecting others.  She was still distracted, her features drawn in a pensive frown, as she reached the stables.  With a quick wave to Rabbie, she walked into the barn, carefully choosing her footing as she made her way to the stalls nearest the back wall, where Lily was stabled.  Too focused on her own thoughts, she failed to see the stricken expression on Rabbie’s grimy face.

Catriona had left the saddlebag and other tack hanging on the wall of Lily’s stall.  As she picked her way through the straw,  Rabbie rushed to her side.  “Excuse me, miss, but can I help ye?”  The boy was out of breath, his pale features strained.  He looked anxiously around the stables before he continued.  “If ye be needin’ Lily, miss, I’d be verra happy tae go and get her fer ye.”

Catriona paused for a moment, finally aware of the young groom’s discomfort.  “I only need my saddlebag, Rabbie.  It will take me but a moment, and then you’ll be free of me again,” she said, smiling questioningly at the lad.  Usually, Rabbie showed no hesitation when she visited the stables, but today he was behaving quite strangely.

Shaking his head in dismay, Rabbie raced by her side and stood determinedly in front of her, both hands on his narrow hips.  He cleared his throat loudly before he continued.  “Miss,” he said, his warm eyes pleading,  “I think I best be getting yer things for ye.  I do no’ think ye should be here right now.”

Catriona laughed off the young boy’s uncharacteristic stubbornness.  “Really, Rabbie, there is no need to be like this,” she said, brushing by him as she continued on her way.  “I am perfectly capable of taking care of this myself.”

Catriona heard Rabbie’s sigh of dismay, but chose to ignore it as she stalked through the stable.  She was still shaking her head at his contrariness as she rounded the corner to enter Lily’s stall.  Her head snapped around suddenly as she heard noises coming from the small room directly opposite her.  The door was slightly ajar, and as she stepped closer, she could see clearly into the room.

The morning sun streamed through the tiny window at the far side of the wall, casting its bright light though the small storage area.  A small sigh of shock escaped Catriona’s drawn lips as her eyes settled upon Elizabeth, and a man she recognized as Calum Leslie, locked in a heated embrace.  Catriona was about to cry out her dismay, to summon help for her sister, when she became aware of the rapt expression on Elizabeth’s pretty face.

Seemingly unmindful of the straw that was strewn about the room, or the supplies and equipment that were scattered about, Elizabeth moaned her pleasure as Calum kissed her pale, graceful neck.  Elizabeth’s back was pressed up against the wall, pinned in place by Calum’s powerful, muscular body. His dark hand lay across her pale breast, its dark, rough texture an obscene contrast to Elizabeth’s milky, unblemished skin.  He captured her lips in a searing kiss as his other hand frantically pushed her heavy woolen skirt up past her thigh.  From across the room, Catriona could hear him murmuring soft, sweet words to her as placed a trail of kisses down her throat.  And lower.

Too stunned to respond, Catriona could only watch in horror as Calum shifted his hand, briefly exposing Elizabeth’s breast before he captured her nipple in his mouth.  Elizabeth’s face was flushed as she tossed her head to the side, reaching down to run her fingers through Calum’s thick, tousled hair.  Slowly, as if suddenly aware they were no longer alone, her passion-glazed eyes met Catriona’s.  There was a brief flicker of shock then recognition in Elizabeth’s cold blue gaze as a bitter smile spread across her swollen lips.  With a defiant glare, she pulled Calum closer to her, meeting Catriona’s stunned expression with a look of contempt.  And mockery.

Filled with shock and revulsion, Catriona turned on her heel and fled from the stall, her errand long forgotten.  She brushed past Rabbie, nearly knocking him to the ground in her haste.  She ignored his cries for her to stop, struggling instead to forget the images that still danced before her eyes.

###

In the days that followed, Catriona spent her time mired in fear –  and loathing.  She left her chamber rarely, preferring to keep to herself as much as possible.  She couldn’t bear the thought of encountering either her sister or Calum, and to her vast relief, neither had many any attempt to confront her.  Her parents were typically disinterested in their youngest daughter’s activities, and according to Annella, had yet to notice her absence.

The scene she’d witnessed had been replayed in her mind countless times since she’d stumbled upon Elizabeth and her lover.  It plagued her waking thoughts, and every night since that miserable morning she’d had terrifying nightmares.

Duty required that she share what she had seen with her father, so that he could punish Calum for his indiscretions.  It would spare their family the humiliation – and possible battle – that would result from having a ruined woman sent to marry into the Forbes clan. Yet Catriona remained unsure that her father would believe her if she told him what she’d seen.  It would be her word against Elizabeth’s, and Catriona knew that was an argument she could never hope to win.

Telling Lachlan what she’d seen was an even worse option.  As much as she believed he deserved a faithful wife who came to him willingly, Catriona knew he would dismiss what she had seen as the jealous fabrication of a foolish child.  She doubted there would be anything she could say or do to convince him of her honesty.

As gloaming settled over the keep, Catriona considered her options, realizing there was a high price to be paid no matter what decision she made.  The fire that burned brightly in her room did little to cheer her, for her mood was as heavy as the stale air emanating from the burning peat.

A sharp knock at the door yanked Catriona’s attention from the book splayed across her lap.  The interruption mattered little, for she’d read the same passage six times and still had not absorbed the meaning.  With a resigned sigh, she pulled her legs back from the arm of the chair and settled herself properly before answering.

A dark scowl was etched across Annella’s harsh features as she carried a heavily laden tray into the room. Catriona went to relieve her of the food as Annella reached back to shut the door with a slam.  “There’s really no need to be in such a temper,” Catriona scolded.  She carefully cleared space on her writing table so she could set the tray down.  “It’s no’ as if I am asking you to wait on me hand and foot.”

“‘Tis past time ye looked beyond yerself an’ saw how yer poutin’ affects those around ye,” Annella replied hotly, her expression critical.

“
You
would do well to keep yer nose out of other people’s business,” Catriona replied angrily, her eyes flashing with temper.  Her arms braced on the desk, she forced herself to take a calming breath, knowing her friend did not deserve to bear the brunt of her frustration.  Annella stared at her defiantly, her expression that of a disgruntled school marm, and it was Catriona who looked away first.  “I am sorry, Annella.  That was uncalled for.  It is just…I’ve not been feeling myself lately.”