“I asked Jeremiah to send my father a message, of which he did, but then he told my father I had no desire to return. He’s such a scoundrel. He has a great interest in my skill even though ’tis a weakened one, far more than our chief ever did. He has even alluded to making me his leman, of which I’ll never agree to.” Fiona sniffed and wiped her cheeks. “I fear remaining here now Matthew is gone, but I’ve had no other choice. I do all I can to be pleasant to Jeremiah, even though I detest doing so.”
“Then you’ll come with me when I escape.” Never would she allow her friend to remain here with Jeremiah, not now. “Ronan and Duncan will be here soon and if you no longer have the protection of a husband, then you’ll be safe with me at Carron. Duncan will send word to your father from there should you still wish it, and if no’ then you’ll stay with me.”
“I wouldnae wish to be a burden.” Such hope bloomed in Fiona’s eyes. “Are you certain I can remain with you?”
“You would never be a burden, and all is settled. You’re coming with me, whether I must drag you along or no’.”
A knock sounded.
“That’ll be the maid.” Fiona hugged her, a smile lifting her lips. “I’ll come, as well as try to find a way out of here for us.” She walked to the door and opened it, bid the servants who’d returned to enter.
Two maids in brown kirtles and two lads hustled forward, each carrying a steaming pail of water. Meg swept inside too, garments draped over her arm. The maid bustled across to the ambry and hung the gowns and a lacy white shawl before setting a folded white shift on the end of the bed next to her. Another lass entered with a tray and placed it on the side table, while Fiona busied herself overseeing the filling of the tub. Her friend added a few drops of scented oil and the sweet aroma of vanilla swirled through the steamy air and filled the chamber with its familiar scent.
Once the servants had filed out, Fiona shut the door and patted the chair in front of the table. “You must be hungry after your journey and this meal is warm and hearty, will fill your belly well. Eat, replenish your strength, for we have quite the night ahead of us.”
“I am famished.” She’d eaten naught in well over a day and her hunger and thirst beat at her. A meal and a hot bath would be most welcome, particularly while she considered her next move. She sat and poked her nose over the bowl of chunky beef stew, breathed deep of the rich scent of the steaming meat and hearty vegetables. “This smells heavenly, no matter I’m currently in the least heavenly place of all. Finding you here though, proves I was meant to come, even under the circumstances in which I did.”
“Aye, your arrival is a blessing in disguise.”
“More than blessing, no’ that my chosen one will see that as the truth right now.” With a slice of crusty bread in hand, she dipped it into the stew and took a hearty bite. The flavors danced across her tongue and warmth raced to her belly.
“Honestly, you are the hope I’ve been praying for since I lost Matthew.” Fiona perched on the dark blue and white padded corner chair. “Tell me more about Ronan, your mate. What’s he like?”
“Ronan holds the battle skill as Coll and Duncan do, even sensed the bond forming between us twenty years ago, afore I was abducted from the fae village.” She dunked her spoon into the stew and sipped from it. “A month ago when Ronan and I first met, ’twas unfortunately no’ under the best of circumstances. Duncan had captured him and his father, Niall, imprisoned Ronan within Carron’s dungeons and taken Niall onto Ardan House. ’Tis a long story, and one I will surely spill all the details about another time, but while Ronan was chained within Carron’s cells, I tended him and that was when I first touched his mind and he sensed my presence. I should have known better than to do so. Mama had warned me never to touch the mind of another holding fae blood, that they could so easily sense my presence if I did, but I just couldnae help myself with Ronan.”
“Never could you have turned your chosen one away.”
“Aye, and thankfully he saw through my stubborn stand against him, only no’ long after his arrival he escaped and after healing from his injuries, returned to claim me. I’ve never been so happy as I have since he did.”
“As a wee lass, I always dreamed of holding such a soul bound connection, had hoped since I held a fae skill that I might. Of course, ’twas never to be.” Another tear trickled down Fiona’s cheek as she plucked a thin strip of black leather free from under her bodice and rubbed a ring swinging from the center between her thumb and forefinger. “I loved Matthew, but we didnae have long together.”
“You’ve barely been given time to grieve and that isnae good for you.” She sipped wine from her goblet. “You’ll be able to do so at Carron.”