Graeme couldn’t deny that.
“So she just dragged you down the hallway and you surmised that she wanted to know the way to Graeme’s chamber?” Teague asked incredulously.
Rorie glared at her brother. “I don’t expect you to understand, but trust me, if you’d been there, you would have known what she wanted. And the moment I showed her which chamber was Graeme’s, she dragged me back down the hall to her chamber and wanted my help in moving all of her belongings.”
Graeme let out a deep sigh. “Who knows what was going on in the lass’s head.”
“She didn’t seem happy with your choice of rooms,” Rorie said, her lips twitching as she glanced up at Graeme. “In fact, I think she took insult that you didn’t install her in your chamber from the beginning.”
Bowen shook his head. “The poor lass is …” He broke off and tapped his temple with his finger several times to signify his thoughts of her mental capacity.
Graeme scowled in his direction. “I have yet to determine just how off she is. I have a suspicion that all is not as it seems. Regardless of how touched she is or isn’t, I expect you all to treat her with respect and kindness. She is no threat to us. She cannot help her parentage. None of us wanted this alliance, but here we are anyway. We should make the best of a bad situation.”
Teague’s lip curled. “Blood agreement or not, I do not consider any Armstrong an alliance. ’Tis just words on parchment that have no meaning. Saying I will not attack is not the same as saying they are a trusted ally.”
“Agreed,” Graeme said through his teeth. “I don’t think anyone has suggested such. What I need and want from the three of you is understanding and patience. It won’t cause you great harm to be kind to the lass. She doesn’t deserve to be treated as a leper by our clan.”
“You cannot control what the clan thinks,” Bowen said.
Graeme’s patience was thinning. “Nay, I can’t, but you can lead by example. Our clan’s acceptance of her won’t happen overnight, but you can aid me by not treating her with the same disdain as the rest of our kin. In time, perhaps she can make a place for herself here. Think of how she must feel. She’s been taken from the sanctuary of her home where she’s surrounded by people who love and protect her, and she’s been thrust into a hostile world where she likely fears for her life, especially given how she is viewed by others.”
He swept his gaze from Bowen to Teague and then back to Bowen. “Imagine if it was Rorie taken from us, as I tried to make you see when we were at the Armstrong Keep. Would you not want her to be treated decently and kindly when we were not there to see to her protection?”
“I won’t be taken away, will I?” Rorie asked sharply.
Graeme cursed under his breath at the sudden fear in her eyes.
“Damn it, Graeme,” Teague snarled. “ ’Twas a stupid thing for you to say.”
“Nay, sweeting,” Graeme said. “ ’Twas just an example. Your place is here with us and that won’t change.”
“But it could,” Rorie persisted. “I’m sure Eveline’s family told her the exact same things you’re telling me. They likely offered her the same reassurances, but who’s to say that our king won’t be offering me up on the sacrificial plate?”
“If he was going to do so, he would have already done it,” Bowen said in a soothing voice. “The king has already asked us for too much. Even he won’t press us this far.”
Graeme wasn’t as certain, and he didn’t think Bowen and Teague were either, but they wouldn’t say anything otherwise in front of Rorie.
“I’d prefer to discuss your attitudes toward Eveline,” Graeme said, directing the conversation back to the matter at hand. “I want your promise that you’ll ease her transition and show her a friendly face among many hostile ones.”
“Very well,” Teague said grudgingly.
“I like her,” Rorie piped up.
All three of her brothers turned to her in surprise. She’d said nothing until now about her judgment of Eveline. She’d only given an account as to what had happened earlier.
Rorie shrugged. “There’s just something about her. She seems … determined. I expected to find her cowering in a corner or facedown on her bed in tears. Instead, I found her dragging trunks into the hall and demanding I tell her where Graeme’s chamber was. I found it all rather amusing.”
Then she turned her gaze on Graeme. “I know not whether she’s afflicted or daft or whatever it is that’s said about her. I only know that she’s courageous. And whether she speaks or doesn’t has little to do with the fact that she can communicate because she made it very clear what she wanted—nay, demanded—from me.”
“And if she’s not daft, then what the hell is she?” Graeme murmured.
CHAPTER 14
Graeme awoke to a female body snuggled up tight against his side. Eveline’s arm was draped over his chest and she was tucked securely underneath his shoulder.
For a moment he didn’t even breathe. God’s teeth, but this was awkward. The night before, he’d eased onto his bed after warring with himself about whether to even sleep in his own chamber. He’d positioned himself on the very edge so there was plenty of space between him and Eveline, who at the time was scooted all the way over against the wall.
But now? She’d gravitated across the bed and was flush against him. Perhaps she’d grown cold during the night and sought out his heat.
He ground his teeth when his morning erection went more rigid than was normal. Guilt plagued him, no matter that it was a normal male response to having a woman’s body pressed against his. He had no business thinking of her in that way. Surely it was a sin.
The dilemma that presented itself was how was he to extricate himself from her hold without waking her and causing even more awkwardness? The last thing he wanted was for her to come to sudden awareness and be terrified.
After pondering the matter for another long moment, he slowly inched his way toward the edge of the bed, lifting her arm just enough that he could move away.
He held his breath when she stirred, but then she rolled to her other side. Sighing in relief, he rose and dressed hurriedly so she wouldn’t awaken while he was still here.
Just as he was about to leave, he turned suddenly, staring at the bare hearth. She’d moved against him during the night, likely because she was cold. There was a distinct chill to the morning and she’d awaken to chattering teeth.
He maneuvered his way across the chamber, shoving aside one of her trunks and being mindful not to knock her things from where they were draped across his chair and one of the benches. Gathering wood from the floor where it was stacked next to the hearth, he laid a fire and used one of the half burned candles to put flame to wood.
Soon a healthy fire licked over the logs and warmth began emanating from the hearth. At least she could dress by the fire without turning blue.
Satisfied that he’d done his duty, he left the chamber to go in search of Rorie. He checked her chamber first, but knew she was likely already below stairs either breaking her fast or in their father’s accounting room trying to teach herself to read.
He shook his head. Not a pursuit he’d normally encourage, but it seemed to mean a lot to her, though he wasn’t certain why. He didn’t see the harm in having Father Drummond instruct her if it was what would make her truly happy. And he wasn’t above using it as a measure to keep her agreeable to his demands when it came to Eveline.
As it was, she was at the table bickering with Teague—a normal event on any day.
Graeme took his seat and rolled his eyes when his siblings didn’t even pause long enough in their argument to acknowledge his presence. He cleared his throat and when that got no response, he banged his fist down on the table.
Teague and Rorie jerked their heads in Graeme’s direction.
“Where is Bowen?” he asked calmly.
Rorie shrugged. “He’s already broken his fast. He said he’d be out with the men.”
Graeme held silent while he was given his trencher of food, and when the serving woman moved away, he directed his gaze back on Rorie.
“I’d like for you to go up after Eveline. Make sure she has something to eat. She didn’t eat for most of yesterday, so she’ll likely be hungry. I’d also like for you to keep her company and perhaps offer your assistance in putting away her belongings.”
Rorie wrinkled her nose. “So you’re allowing her to stay in your chamber?”
Graeme frowned. “ ’Tis none of your affair. However, I see no reason to toss her right back out, at least until she’s more settled and comfortable in her surroundings. Who knows what odd ideas she may have formed or why she refused to remain in her own chamber. For now, I want her to be at ease, and if remaining in my chamber accomplishes that, then I can survive a few days.”
Rorie turned and gave Teague an impish smile. “I believe I won our wager.”
Teague scowled and then shot Graeme a disgusted look.
“And what was this wager?” Graeme demanded.
“Teague wagered that you’d toss Eveline from your chamber come morn. I knew you wouldn’t,” she said smugly.
He sent them both dark looks. “I’m so happy to have provided you both with entertainment.”
“ ’Tis your bed to lie in now that you’ve made it,” Teague said.
“ ’Tis none of your concern,” Graeme said in an icy voice.
Teague rose, irritation etched on his face. “I’ll be in the courtyard sparring if you decide to find your missing cods and come join us.”
Graeme decided on the spot that his first session would be with Teague and he’d teach his younger brother a lesson about respect.
Eveline woke and for a moment had no recollection of where she was. She wasn’t in her own chamber in her own bed. None of the smells were familiar. It took her a moment to clear the cobwebs from her mind and remember that she was married and was lying in her new husband’s bed in his chamber—a room she’d invaded without gaining his permission.
But he hadn’t awakened her to throw her out, so perhaps he wasn’t angry over it.
The fact of the matter was, she’d felt desperately alone and isolated in the chamber he’d given her. And while he might be her clan’s enemy, he’d been kind to her—the only Montgomery who’d been remotely gentle with her.
She frowned. That wasn’t entirely true. Rorie had been helpful, though Eveline wasn’t certain what Graeme’s sister’s motives had been. There’d been mischief in her eyes when she’d agreed to help Eveline move her belongings.
As she shoved the covers aside, a cool draft fell over her and she shivered. But as she turned, warmth greeted her and she realized that a fire had been started in the hearth.
Judging by the height and blaze of the flames, the fire hadn’t been started very long ago. Graeme must have had someone light it for her so she wouldn’t be cold when she rose.
A man who’d show that kind of consideration to his enemy’s daughter couldn’t be all bad, could he?
Nothing she’d seen thus far told her that she was in any danger with Graeme Montgomery. He wasn’t happy about the arrangement—who could blame him? But he hadn’t misused her or shown her ill treatment. Not yet.
Never before would she have considered that a Montgomery could be noble and just, but Graeme seemed destined to change her opinion on that matter.
She wandered closer to the hearth and stuck out her hands to warm her cold fingertips. Once sufficiently baked, she turned to find suitable clothing for the day.
At home, she wouldn’t have given the matter much thought. Here, she was suddenly fretting over whether she should leave her hair down or braid it and whether she should wear her plain, simple dress or one prettier. What would Graeme expect of his wife?
She frowned when she realized she had no idea what his expectations were. He didn’t seem to have any, other than to put her away and perhaps go on with his normal activities. Perhaps that was why he’d arranged for her to have a separate chamber.
She opted for something plain. The last thing she wanted was for the Montgomery clansmen to think she was uppity and putting on airs. She’d noted the dress of the other women of the keep, and most wore very basic work apparel.
After dressing, she began brushing her hair. It was a chore because the long ride to the Montgomery holding had resulted in having windblown hair and she hadn’t brushed it before going to sleep the night before.
She worked the knots from the strands and then began to braid it by pulling it over her shoulder. She perched on the bench closest to the fire as she worked on her hair, but a moment later, she felt the presence of someone else.
Her skin prickled in awareness and she hastily glanced up to see Rorie in the doorway. She smiled, not knowing if Rorie had already said anything to her. Then she motioned her forward.