Forgiving Hearts: Duncurra 1-3 by Ceci Giltenan

rest.”
    Katherine hesitated; she didn’t need to rest, and there was so much she wanted to know. Her primary concern was what would happen to Tomas. She realized that when she had made the decision to bring the lad, she had not been thinking beyond his immediate safety. She wanted to ask Niall about it now.
    When she didn’t leave immediately, Niall arched an eyebrow at her and asked in a chilly tone, “Did ye misunderstand me?”
    Surprised by his obvious displeasure, she answered, “Nay, Laird, I was going to ask you a question, but it will wait.”
    The look on his face told her the formal address irritated him. His voice was clipped when he responded, “Very well. I will join ye soon.”
    Edna cringed and a quick glance around told Katherine others, too, noted the laird’s annoyance.
    She nodded, embarrassed, before following Edna to the east tower. As they walked, Edna explained that the ground floors of both towers contained armories and some store rooms. The laird’s family occupied the upper floors of the east tower, where there were rooms for guests as well.
    “Laird MacIan’s chamber is on the second floor and Fingal’s is on the third. Although Diarmad isn’t family strictly speaking, he also has a room on the third floor,” she explained. “The unmarried members of the laird’s elite guard have rooms in the west tower. Hendry and Bridie also live in the west tower, as do my children and I. Some of the servants and unmarried men-at-arms sleep on the floor of the great hall, but many live in the village.”
    Edna showed her into Niall’s sparsely furnished chamber. It contained a large bed, a chest, a wardrobe, two wooden chairs, a small table, and a washstand. The faded green bed hangings looked threadbare but clean, and a woolen counterpane covered the coarse linen sheets. Katherine walked over to the one window to look out. “Oh, my, the view of the loch is beautiful.”
    “Is there anything else ye need, my lady?” Edna asked.
    “Nay, not really. I would like to learn more about Duncurra.” Katherine attempted a warm smile, but she felt a little lost. She wished Edna would stay and chat with her a bit.
    Edna herself seemed reluctant to go, but said gently, “My lady, there will be plenty of time for that later. Ye have just arrived after a long journey, and ye have been very ill. The laird wishes ye to rest, and so ye should. He would not be happy with either of us if we ignore his order.”
    “I suppose he wouldn’t. I am just not in the habit of spending so much time resting.”
    “Well, then, take advantage of it while ye can. When ye are fully recovered, I’m sure ye’ll find there is never a shortage of work.”
    Katherine laughed. “I’m sure there isn’t.”
    “If there is nothing ye need, I’ll leave ye to rest now.” Edna left, closing the door behind her.
    ~ * ~
    Fingal was concerned when he saw the clan’s response to Lady Katherine. Highland clans tended to be very insular; even if Lady Katherine had been from another Highland clan, it would take her a while to fit in. However, being an outsider made it much worse. Niall’s callous dismissal of her as soon as they entered the keep did nothing to alleviate the problem. Fingal knew why. Niall had been publicly humiliated by a woman. Anything that even hinted of disrespect goaded his brother. Unfortunately, Niall’s reaction might have suggested to the clan that he was less than pleased with his new bride.
    According to Diarmad, the clan was ecstatic because of the financial security resulting from the union, and they considered Lady Katherine lucky to wed their laird. Lucky? Fingal thought no one who truly knew Niall would consider the lass lucky. The snatches of conversation he heard were impossible to ignore.
    “Can ye believe she has the nerve to show herself like that?”
    “Lowlanders must all be hussies.”
    “She is obviously an embarrassment to the laird.”
    Although he hadn’t given it much thought