He appreciated their acceptance and their support, and he knew that in time it would bleed over into the rest of the clan. Perhaps Rorie was right and Eveline just needed some time to adjust and time to win over the women.
It seemed to him that she already had the support of his men. They didn’t seem inclined to want her to suffer and thus far he’d heard of no man offering insult to her. The women, however, were another matter, but even then he couldn’t exactly fault them for their loyalty to him and the Montgomery name.
He sighed. ’Twas a difficult matter to be certain. The women had always been steadfast in support of the men of the clan. It was a matter that had always brought Graeme much pride. His own mother had been an important factor in bringing that kind of fierce, unbending loyalty to the women.
Before she’d died giving birth to Rorie, she’d often rallied the women around the men, preached the importance of having strong clan ties that extended to every single man, woman, and child. Graeme’s father had oft chuckled and said it was a foolish man who tread in the path of his wife because she was fiercer than any warrior Robert Montgomery had ever trained.
His mother would have liked Eveline. Graeme didn’t deceive himself by thinking that his mother’s acceptance of Eveline would have been automatic. She would have greeted the marriage with every bit as much disdain as all the other members of the clan had. But given time, she would have been drawn to Eveline’s charm and her resilience. She would have also heartily approved of Eveline being resourceful enough to have avoided marriage with a man who intended to sorely abuse her.
Graeme frowned when Eveline rose after having finished her meal. He’d fully intended to address the matter of her duties.
“A moment please, Eveline,” he said when he was sure he had her attention.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Graeme. I don’t have time right now. There are duties to attend and I’m sure you must be busy with the men. We’ll discuss what it is you have on your mind at the evening meal.”
With that she smiled and kissed him full on the lips in front of the entire hall. Then she patted his cheek and cheerfully went on by. She walked out of the hall at a fast clip, leaving Graeme completely befuddled.
It wasn’t until a moment later that he realized he was still frozen to his chair, the imprint of her mouth still tingling on his lips.
There were snickers and guffaws all around, but he paid them no heed. His gaze was riveted to the soft swing of his wife’s bottom as she exited the hall.
CHAPTER 30
Father Drummond arrived the next day and Eveline was surprised to discover he was a young man, perhaps a few years younger than Teague.
He was cheerful looking, with a ready smile and an easy disposition. In a sea of warriors, he stood out because he was so different from the others. He was paler skinned, fair without a blemish that could be seen. He had blond hair, almost the same shade as Eveline’s, and blue eyes that sparkled when he smiled.
Eveline thought they could be siblings because they resembled each other so closely.
It shamed her that she’d expected an older man, stern and forbidding, a harsh taskmaster who would be ruthless in his teachings.
It was obvious he was a friend to the Montgomery clan, because everyone greeted him warmly. He was treated to a series of slaps on the back that should have had him flat on the ground. Eveline winced every time a different warrior greeted him.
Rorie was practically dancing in delight, so excited was she by the priest’s arrival. She could barely contain herself while she waited for Father Drummond’s attention.
He greeted her warmly in turn, kissing her on either cheek when Graeme finally came around to the reason he’d sent for the father.
Father Drummond laughed when he was told of Rorie’s intent to learn to read and write, but didn’t seem surprised that he was to begin teaching her.
Then Graeme motioned for Eveline to come forward when he saw her standing on the periphery of the crowd assembled to greet Father Drummond.
“Father, this is Eveline, my wife,” Graeme said, making certain he was turned so Eveline could see his mouth.
The priest smiled broadly and reached for both of Eveline’s hands. “My lady, I’ve heard so much about you. You must tell me how you learned to read the words of others on their lips. ’Tis a most ingenious ability.”
Eveline’s cheeks heated under the praise and she smiled shyly back. She was careful to avoid allowing him to take her hands. She didn’t want anyone to know of the blisters and broken skin. The roughness of her hands shamed her.
“It took some time and I’m still not adept at reading the words of everyone. Some people aren’t as clear in their speech as others.”
Graeme touched her gently on the arm. “A little louder, Eveline.”
Embarassed, Eveline repeated herself again, making it a point to enunciate each of the words and speak in a louder volume. Graeme nodded slightly to let her know her tone was more audible this time.
“I’m fascinated by your ability to adapt to a hearing loss,” the priest said. “ ’Tis a subject I very much want to discuss with you at a later time.”
Eveline smiled, her heart warming at the father’s easy acceptance. He didn’t find her odd at all and, in fact, he seemed quite impressed with her ability. She hadn’t realized just how stressful it had been to go so long without a kind word or a genuine smile. It made her heart ache for her own home, where her family loved her no matter if she were daft or completely normal. She was still loved and accepted.
For a moment grief was thick in her throat at the thought of a family she might well never see again. Graeme had been quite forceful on the matter of her kin ever setting foot on his lands, and her own father would not want to allow the Montgomerys on his lands, even if it meant not seeing his only daughter.