Her cheeks burned at the idea that whoever it was knew she hadn’t a stitch on. Graeme patted her rump and then motioned her out of bed to dress.
She hurried from the warmth of his body and the furs and pulled on one of her simple day dresses. She took a brush to her hair to work the tangles and would have retreated to the far corner of the room, but she looked up and saw Bowen and Teague, accompanied by Father Drummond, enter the chamber. The priest had a scroll and quill and ink, and Eveline realized that Graeme meant to dictate the message to her father.
She went to Graeme’s side and touched his arm. “I would like to go below stairs and breathe a bit of fresh air. My muscles need stretching.”
Graeme regarded her a long moment, and then his shoulders heaved in a sigh. Then he nodded. “Do not be gone overlong. I’ll send a summons down when I’ve finished with my brothers and Father Drummond.”
She nodded, her heart heavier with each breath. She didn’t want to be about when he transcribed the message that might well send the two clans she called her own into battle against one another.
Graeme squeezed her hand, and then she eased away, setting the brush down before exiting the chamber.
It wasn’t a total untruth she’d told Graeme. She was desperate to leave the suffocation of the chamber if only for a little while.
She stretched her arms and worked her shoulders as she descended the stairs to the hall. Despite having eaten a bit earlier, she went to the kitchens in search of a piece of bread or bit of cheese to nibble on. She was still hungry.
Mary was only too happy to accommodate her after demanding to know if her laird knew she was below stairs. Eveline gratefully took bread and cheese, and after conversing with Mary for several minutes, she exited the kitchens and stepped into the courtyard.
Dusk was rapidly falling, ushering in cooler breezes as the sun slid completely out of sight over the horizon. The entire land was bathed in purple and gray hues, and the air was still. Most of the clansmen had retired to their cottages and were preparing for the evening meal.
The torches that lit the guard tower threw shadows on the wall of the keep. Eveline closed her eyes and breathed deeply of the spring-scented air.
’Twas so peaceful. A time for gathering in the evening to tell stories, speak of the day’s events, and share a good meal.
But she knew that the calm was deceptive because even now, the Montgomery soldiers were preparing for war.
The ground vibrated under her feet and she turned rapidly in time to see a Montgomery herald on horseback ride at a fast pace toward the gate. He wore a cloak bearing the Montgomery colors, but a white banner of truce was attached to the horse’s mane.
A chill scuttled up her spine until she shivered. Dread centered in her belly, making her wish she hadn’t eaten the bread and cheese Mary had offered.
A touch to her shoulder had her jumping in fright. She whirled around to see Kierstan standing in the fading light.
“My pardon for startling you, my lady.”
Eveline took a step back, but focused on Kierstan’s lips, not wanting to miss anything the other woman would say.
“I came in search of you when I heard you’d awakened. The hot soaking soothed your aches before and I thought to offer you my services to prepare another soak for you in the bathhouse.”
Eveline’s eyes widened at what seemed to be an offering of an olive branch from the woman who’d caused her no end of grief. Kierstan looked sincere. Moreover, she looked … contrite.
“ ’Tis the least I can do,” Kierstan said, her expression sad. “I’ve wronged you badly and I’d like to make amends.”
Knowing this was yet another opportunity to mend some bridges, Eveline nodded and Kierstan smiled, seeming relieved by Eveline’s agreement.
“Come this way. We’ll walk around the keep. It will be shorter than navigating the hall. ’Tis filling up with those seeking the evening meal. I’ll send someone to the laird’s chamber to give him word of your whereabouts so he does not worry.”
“Thank you,” Eveline said with a smile. “A hot soak would be heavenly right now. I’ve been abed for far too long and my body aches.”
Kierstan tucked Eveline’s hand in hers and guided her through the now empty courtyard and around the side of the keep in the direction of the bathhouse. They were in the narrow passage between the stone skirt and the keep walls when someone stepped from the shadows.
Eveline started to scream a warning to Kierstan when a fist met with Eveline’s jaw, sending her tumbling to the ground. So stunned was she that all she could do was lie there, holding her face in her palm.
The man bent down over her, his hand twisting in her hair. He yanked upward, forcing her to her feet, and before she could react, his fist flew at her temple. Pain exploded in her head, and then the world went black.
CHAPTER 41
Graeme frowned when several long minutes elapsed after he sent Bowen down to fetch Eveline. Growing restless, he pushed himself from his bed and stood, gingerly working his injured shoulder in a tight roll.
It still pained him greatly, but he could move it, and more important, the wound had sealed itself. The stitches could be taken out in a few more days.
His head still hurt if he moved too quickly, but the great knot that had risen had gradually gone down, and there was just a small scab over the wound to denote the injury.
He could use a bath himself. It was a wonder Eveline had been able to rest beside him. He probably smelled worse than a rotting carcass.
It was likely what Eveline was doing at any rate. She did enjoy a hot soak a few days ago, and she was likely still sore from all the bruising.