Highland Courage (Highland Brides) by Ceci Giltenan Page A

wondering if the entire clan hated her. Pay no attention, Mairead, it was just two gossiping chambermaids . Still, it was hard to ignore the hurtful words. Tadhg had made her feel so wanted and valued, she hadn’t considered what the rest of the clan might think. Perhaps it would just take some time for them to get to know her better. In fairness, her family could be daunting.
    She decided to let it go and explore the other two rooms. The one to the left, dominated by a large table on which rested some papers, was clearly Tadhg’s study. It had a hearth at one end, in front of which stood two upholstered chairs. The room to the right was her solar. It was a little chilly because there was no fire in the hearth, but like the bedchamber, this room had several tall windows, which let in quite a bit of light. Thick rugs were scattered on the floor, and a group of comfortable looking chairs stood near the hearth. To one side of the room was a small desk and chair and on the desk was a supply of parchment, quills, and an inkwell. Most intriguing was a large wardrobe-like cabinet. Opening it, she found shelves holding her tapestry frame, sewing supplies, and smaller musical instruments including her lute, recorder, and several wooden flutes of varying sizes.
    She was thrilled to see the instruments she loved, and forgot her earlier hurt. With everything that had been going on, it had been weeks since she had played one. She removed the lute from the cabinet and took it to one of the chairs by the hearth. She lost herself in the music and wasn’t sure how long she had been playing when she was interrupted by a knock at the door. Mairead thought perhaps this was someone letting her know the steward was available now.
    “Enter,” she called.
    A chambermaid opened the door and curtsied. “My lady, the midday meal is ready to be served.”
    “Oh my, it is much later than I thought. Thank ye.” Mairead, ye need to start getting to know your new clan . “I don’t believe we have met yet, what is your name?”
    The young woman smiled, appearing genuinely pleased to be asked her name. “My name is Gallia, my lady.”
    “Thank ye, Gallia, I will be right down.”
    “Aye, my lady.” Gallia curtsied again before leaving.
    Ye see, it isn’t everyone, Mairead . She returned the lute to the cabinet and left the room, descending to the great hall feeling much better than she had earlier. Tadhg was already seated at the table, and she joined him there.
    “Good afternoon, Lady Matheson. How is the rest of your life going so far?” He gave her his roguish wink, which always made her stomach flutter.
    “Well enough,” she answered, deciding not to tell him of her difficulty with the steward yet, nor the gossiping chambermaids. She needed to handle these things herself. If she ran to him at the first sign of trouble, then the staff would not respect her, and he might doubt her abilities to manage his household.
    This was the first meal she had eaten at Cnocreidh where she was not surrounded by family. Feeling a little unsure of herself, she remained reserved, but she had the opportunity to learn more about several of Tadhg’s men.
    Mairead had already met his commander, Hamish, but had not conversed with him until today. Shorter and with a muscular, stocky build, Hamish looked to be older than Tadhg but not by much, perhaps a bit over a score and ten. His hair was reddish gold and his face and arms were freckled by the sun. He was friendly and very good-natured. Something about him reminded her of her brother Quinn. Although not as quiet, he watched people closely as if reading them. While he seemed rather young to be a commander, she decided his astute nature probably made him an extremely good leader of men.
    Tadhg had three captains who reported to Hamish, and they each led a division of guardsmen and men-at-arms. Pol, a man roughly her father’s age with a deep melodious voice, was both taller and broader than Tadhg. “Are ye