The Lion (Clan Ross of the Hebrides Book 1) by Hildie McQueen (ereader for android .TXT) ๐
Read free book ยซThe Lion (Clan Ross of the Hebrides Book 1) by Hildie McQueen (ereader for android .TXT) ๐ยป - read online or download for free at americanlibrarybooks.com
- Author: Hildie McQueen
Read book online ยซThe Lion (Clan Ross of the Hebrides Book 1) by Hildie McQueen (ereader for android .TXT) ๐ยป. Author - Hildie McQueen
โIn thirteen days.โ
Duncan gave him a confused look. โThat is a strange number of days.โ
โA part of my marriage agreement. That my new wife and I remain near each other for a fortnight.โ
โSounds like an intelligent rule. We should adopt it,โ Duncan said, surprising Darach. โA good way to establish a relationship. Especially in an arranged marriage.โ
Darach had to agree.
Five days later.
Darach went to the great hall to find food. It was past the midday meal, which meant heโd been in his study too long. He only stirred because his stomach growled.
He stopped when he saw Isobel sitting at a table with his mother, sister, and her sister. Since he was late to the meal, no one sat the high board. He went to sit next to her.
His mother beamed at him. โI am glad that ye join us for the meal, son.โ
โIt looks as if all of ye are finished,โ he replied looking to their empty plates.
Isobel met his gaze. โWe are enjoying conversation and will keep ye company while ye eat.โ
The husky undertone of her voice brought an immediate reaction. Something in his stomach fluttered making him feel like an adolescent lad. Darach cleared his throat and motioned for a servant.
While he ate, he listened to them talk about practical matters that heโd not considered. Interesting how the women could be so aware of the peopleโs wants and needs. Things that did not include just food and housing. They spoke of visiting expectant women to ensure the midwives were aware of their upcoming births. The subject of clothing and blankets as well as basic schooling for both lads and lasses in the village was discussed.
Both Isobel and Beatrice spoke of the work they did back at North Uist caring for the elderly and the preparation of baskets with specific items that would ensure they were taken care of during the winter months.
As he listened, it became apparent how much his mother and the women of the keep did for others, while representing him. These works had not been done while his father was laird.
โMother?โ he interrupted.
Her gaze moved to him, lips curving. โAye.โ
โAll of this that yeโve started doing, where are the supplies ye need coming from?โ
His mother paled and the other women became silent, their gazes locked to her. โI suppose from here, from yer coffers. I-I should haveโฆโ
โEnsure ye leave enough for those that come here to eat and request help. Perhaps some of those baskets can be prepared and stored here for those times,โ Darach said and continued eating.
He didnโt look up as he wanted to allow the women to regain their composure.
When his motherโs hand covered his, he gave her a wink. โYe do good work, Mother, I am very proud of ye.โ
When her eyes teared up, he wondered if heโd done something wrong. At the first tear slipping down her cheek, he turned to Isobel.
She gave him a warm smile. โYe should be proud. Lady Mariel has wonderful ideas for great work. We will not have spare time in the least.โ
The women became animated; Ella appointed herself scribe rushing off to gather paper and quill.
Darach leaned over to Isobelโs ear. โWould ye like to go to one of the villages with me tomorrow?โ
His wife nodded.
โI best go see what the needs of the people are today.โ Darach pressed a kiss to Isobelโs temple and stood.
There were only a few people there to see him. A couple wishing to marry, several farmers, and a sheepherder.
A family came to stand before him with an elderly couple in tow. โWe cannot house them any longer,โ the woman said giving the elderly couple a side glance. โThey are a bother, we have six bairns and no place to keep โem.โ
โWhat do ye suggest I do?โ Darach asked, looking to the elderly couple. The man did his best to comfort his wife, who cried into a dirty handkerchief. Their clothing had been mended multiple times, their shoes barely holding together.
The man, at least, looked as if he didnโt wish to be there. He looked to the elderly couple with sadness. โMy parents do not need much, my laird, a simple cottage.โ
โWe should be the ones to get a cottage,โ the woman interjected, lifting a chubby bairn higher on her hip.
Darach looked to where Isobel and the women sat. Theyโd obviously not overheard. He motioned to a servant. โBring my wife here.โ
Isobel hurried over, her gaze falling on him, then to the family gathered. โWhat happens?โ she asked standing next to the elderly couple.
โIt seems,โ Darach said. โThat instead of honoring his parents, Seac defers to his wife, who wishes them sent away.โ
The womanโs face turned red, and she glared at the couple as if it were them whoโd done wrong by her.
โLaird, allow me to explain,โ Seac said. โI do not want my parents sent off. It is just that we have many mouths to feed and not enough food.โ
Holding back the urge to point out that he and his wife and the bairns looked quite plump, compared to the thin elderly couple, Darach met the manโs gaze until he looked away.
โThey should remain here with us for a spell. We can ensure they have a warm roof and food until a proper cottage is built for them,โ Isobel suggested. By her bright expression, she was anxious to get on with her first project.
โI agree,โ Darach said, then looked to the son. โIf not for yer bairns, I would strip all the farmland and livestock ye have been granted. I would have more respect for ye, if yeโd come to ask for help to build yer parents a proper home of their own. But instead, ye pay heed to yer wifeโs evil tongue.โ
The man paled. โI offer my apologies and true alliance to ye.โ
โYer land and livestock will be halved. A young family who came seeking a grant will be given the other half. Now be off.โ
The couple exchanged a look of terrified alarm. When
Comments (0)