Another woman pushed in beside Nora, her brows drawn in question. “Yet you speak to us. Here, among the Montgomerys.”
Eveline smiled and nodded.
“Why?” Nora asked, obviously perplexed.
“Because I feel safe.”
Eyes widened all around at that.
Rorie, ever the impatient one, cut in. “Nora, Eveline wanted to ask your assistance in a matter.”
Nora glanced back at Eveline. “Of course. What is it you wish to ask for?”
Eveline took in a deep breath. “Everyone has a duty here … save me. Rorie has told me that the laird and his brothers oversee the running of the keep. ’Tis my duty as wife of the laird and one I take seriously. But I need the assistance of someone who is well versed in the duties and has the knowledge to instruct me on the way of things.”
Nora puffed up, her chin coming up a few inches. “Well, now, you’ve come to the right place, lass. Indeed, you have. You spend the day with me and I’ll have you running the place in no time.”
Eveline beamed back at her, excitement curling in her stomach. “Thank you!”
Rorie rolled her eyes. “I’ll leave you two to your women’s duties. I’m going to go straighten the accounting room for when Father Drummond arrives.”
Eveline waved Rorie off, too excited by Nora’s ready acceptance of Eveline’s request for help to worry over the loss of Rorie’s companionship.
It wasn’t complete acceptance. Eveline still had a long way to go. But it was a step in the right direction. If the women saw that she was willing to throw herself into the Montgomery way of life, then perhaps they’d eventually soften toward her, forget that she was Eveline Armstrong and eventually think of her as Eveline Montgomery.
CHAPTER 28
Eveline didn’t remember her mother ever scrubbing floors as part of her duties as a laird’s wife, but it was also true, Eveline had spent little time inside the keep. And when she was indoors, she kept away from the main social areas.
During the long winter months and seemingly endless nights, she’d kept to her chamber in front of a roaring fire. Brodie and Aiden often came to visit her, and she enjoyed their company, even when they were saying nothing at all or merely conversing among themselves and not including her in the discussion.
Nora had insisted that true leaders led by example and if she wanted acceptance from her clansmen, she had to show them that she wasn’t above a little dirt on her hands.
It all made sense when Nora explained it, but now, when Eveline was on her hands and knees, up to her elbows in soapy water, the idea didn’t seem so sound any longer.
Still, she was too stubborn to cry off once she’d begun the task. She knew they watched her, and she wouldn’t allow them to see her in a weak moment. She’d scrub the floor until it shone. Even if it killed her.
When she’d done the entire hall, she could barely stand. Her back protested loudly when she straightened, and she was fairly certain she’d groaned aloud.
Wiping the hair from her face, she lugged the pail of now dirty water to the back entrance and tossed it onto the ground. In the distance, she saw a group of women playing with the children, and her mouth drooped. It would have been fun to be outside on such a glorious day.
She trudged back indoors and went into the small room just off the kitchen where many of the utility items were stored. Nora met her as she came out, an approving smile on her face.
“ ’Tis a wonderful job you did on the floors, lass. I vow all the women will think so.”
Somehow Eveline couldn’t muster any enthusiasm over knowing they’d approve of the task she’d performed.
Thinking she’d love a brief respite and that she would investigate what the women and the children were doing on the hillside behind the keep, she made mention of doing just that to Nora, only for Nora to frown.
“Oh nay, lass. ’Tis too much to be done to be thinking about play. What would the others think if the laird’s wife expected the women to work while she went off on a lark? Nay, ’tis not a good idea at all. Come and I’ll show you where there’s washing to be done. Mary has just finished preparing tonight’s meal of oatcakes and fresh bread. There’ll be a little stew leftover from last eve’s meal, but I’m sure she’ll have a pile of cooking pots and such just waiting to be cleaned.”
Eveline’s shoulder’s slumped, but the last thing she wanted was to appear to be beneath such work to the other women of the keep. If they could perform such tasks on a daily basis, then she certainly could and would as well.
She followed Nora into the kitchens where Mary and one other woman, who spared Eveline only a quick glance—she didn’t look very impressed with Eveline—were working and muttered an introduction in such a manner that Eveline couldn’t read the name on her lips.
Not wanting to admit to such, she smiled brightly and then watched attentively as Nora instructed her on what she was to do. Oddly, though, as soon as Eveline began to scrub at the large pots used for cooking, the other women disappeared from the kitchen.
It was a long and arduous task, one that Eveline was certain she didn’t do well. The pots were large and it was difficult to empty them of water once she’d added it to scrub the insides.
Even though the day was quite cool, and a steady breeze blew in from the window facing the back, sweat beaded Eveline’s brow and at her nape, making her hair damp.
By the time she was finished, she no longer cared what the other women of the keep thought of her and she left the kitchens to head straight for her chamber, where she could at least wipe the sweat from her body. She would have gone for a swim in the river, but she was afraid she’d encounter Nora or one of the other women and immediately be tasked with something else to do.