Page 31 of Tess and the Highlander
“Nor blame either, I suppose?” At James’scomment from the behind, everyone broke out in laughter.
“Smart woman, I’d say, not taking anyresponsibility for him.” Alexander’s comment drew another laughfrom the men.
“Don’t you pay any attention to them!” LadyFiona scowled at the rowdy group around them.
“I shan’t, m’lady. No amount of banter couldhide the affection that exists between them.”
Her comment drew howls of protest from thethree men, but it obviously pleased the mother. Tess realized thatsometime during this introduction, she had totally lost hernervousness.
Lady Fiona wrapped an affectionate armaround Tess’s shoulder and turned her toward the door. “Why don’tyou come in with me and let the men have your things broughtin.”
Tess couldn’t stop the blush from spreadingon her face. “I am afraid I have nothing else. A woman doesn’t needa very large wardrobe when she lives alone on an island.”
Her hostess didn’t seem bothered by this atall. “I understand completely, my dear. And I think I can be ofsome assistance to you with that.”
Fiona Macpherson took the hand of the youngwoman and started up the stairway leading to the Great Hall.
Colin was beside her in a moment. “Would itbe all right if I were to accompany you two?”
“Nay. You cannot.” Lady Fiona saidemphatically, waving him off and winking at Tess.
When Tess looked back, Colin was standing onthe top step, looking amused. Behind him, though, the two olderbrothers were approaching. The laird appeared perfectly happy justlooking on. As the two women entered the building, Tess heard ashout and then a cheer went up in the courtyard.
“Is Colin in trouble?”
“Always. I believe his brothers plan to usehim as a battering ram.”
“They won’t hurt him?” Tess asked,concerned.
Lady Fiona gently patted Tess’s hand andsmiled. “Don’t worry about him, my dear. He might be the youngest,but he has never had a problem holding his own. And whatevertrouble Alexander and James cause him, ‘tis only a fraction of whatColin usually serves them.”
“But he’s been away…at the university. What kind oftrouble could he have caused from there?”
Lady Fiona lowered her voice to a confidential tone.“I have learned to not ask. Since these boys have become men, theyfight about horses, tides, religion, politics, and harvests. And Iam very sorry to say that every other argument seems to be aboutsome young woman. I imagine, though, Alexander and James see yourvisit as a great opportunity to even the score with Colin for yearsof torment he’s inflicted on them.”
Tess didn’t totally understand the meaning of whather hostess was implying. But she had a strong feeling that shemight not want to know.
As the two women made their way through thethrong of people inside the wide open doors of the Great Hall, LadyFiona introduced Tess to an aging steward named Robert. The man’sthin face creased in a smile as soon as he realized that there wereno bags or trunks waiting to be moved upstairs.
“So much like you, m’lady.”
“So much, indeed.” Fiona Macpherson noddedgood-naturedly, remembering her own arrival at the castle. “Andforget about the arrangements we made before, Robert, I’d like Tessto stay in the Roundtower Room.”
After the steward had hurried off away, Lady Fionawhispered confidentially in Tess’s ear. “That is my favorite room.‘Tis the same one I stayed in the first time I set foot in BenmoreCastle. I know you’ll like it.”
The rush of emotions came quick. Tess somehowmanaged to murmur her thanks. But no words were enough to describehow welcome Lady Macpherson had already made her feel.
“Never mind the builders milling about.” The olderwoman waved to some men that were on their way out of the Hall,obviously finished for the day. “I believe ‘tis Benmore Castle’sdestiny to be always undergoing of some kind of construction. Mymother-in-law was determined to change and improve the place. Andnow, with our sons grown and starting their own lives, I am findingmyself doing the same thing with my time.”
“The Great Hall is truly magnificent.” Tess let hereyes travel the length of the large chamber. Each of the plasteredwalls was covered with colorful tapestries and hangings ofembroidered felt, velvet, silk, and damask. The floors werecovered, as well, with ornate rugs, which shocked her. She’d neverseen rugs on the floor before. These were fine enough for hanging.From behind them, the chatter of castle workers and warriorsstarting to file into the hall filled the air with laughter andgood cheer.
Instead of going directly upstairs, Lady Fiona ledTess to the left, toward an arch, and into the quiet of a longcorridor.
As the two made their way along, Tess askedher hostess about the history of the castle and the obviousimprovements that had been made.
Fiona Macpherson was genuinely delighted atthe interest and made a point of taking her through every room theypassed. Tess was shown the latest improvements and those that hadbeen gradually implemented throughout the castle over the pastthirty years.
Lady Fiona’s pride in the place she calledhome had no bounds. Tess saw the leaded glass windows, the newfireplaces in living quarters. She was led through the new kitchensand the brew house, and then up a level into some smallerguestrooms directly above. By the time they had worked their wayaround to the other end of the castle, she was amazed at the effortand obvious expense that had gone into the castle’s renovation.
