Page 5 of The Lass and the Laird

Meredith felt pity for how she'd brought the maid who rarely complained to do so. "I am a bit overanxious today. A ride out may have been a better choice than coming here."

The maid nodded, a sympathetic expression on her face, and took loud gulps from the cup. "I understand, milady. It’s not every day one's betrothed comes to marry ye and then promptly dies three days later." Unfazed, the girl slathered an enormous amount of butter on her piece of bread and stuffed it into her small mouth.

Meredith's mouth fell open at the maid's lack of decorum. "Lily, you must not speak so openly about my husband's death in public. I didn't know him well, but imagine he was a...nice man."

Once again the maid nodded. "Aye, he seemed...well born...and yes, a bit nice."

"Indeed." Meredith pressed her lips together to keep from smiling. Nice was not a word she'd thought of when first meeting her betrothed. She'd sobbed in Lily's arms until falling into a fitful sleep that night.

The immediate dislike of the older man, who looked down his nose at her, convinced Meredith she'd never grow to love the unattractive and pompous man.

Unfortunately, her headstrong brother believed his sister should get married promptly on her twentieth birthday. Her brother, who was forever attempting to grow their small clan and make for a stronger front if ever needed, insisted on marrying her to a larger one in the surrounding area.

Personally, Meredith would have preferred death by sword than years of marriage to the horrible Farquhar Murray she'd been forced to marry. Fate's cruel sense of humor had granted her wish in a way. Only three days after marrying, she'd been thrown into seclusion to mourn a man she barely knew. So, yes, now she craved fresh air and being outdoors. And admittedly, the freedom being a widow brought. Short lived as it was to be. Her brother insisted she not remain unmarried.

She let out a sigh. "I am not in a hurry to return home at all. My brother is planning a visit to the new laird at Moriag." She shuddered. "He is a second born son who lucked into land. Given to him by the laird of Clan Gordon, his brother, Carrick. The last thing I want is to be paraded before him in hopes he'll marry me."

"It is said that Declan Gordon is a fetching man who never suffers for a woman's company," Lily informed her with wide eyes. "A lusty sort, that one."

Meredith bit her bottom lip to keep from reminding the maid to not speak so freely because, right now, she was interested. Lily had been her handmaid and confidant since she was fifteen and Lily twelve. Now five years later, it was too late to try to change their relationship. Her brother reprimanded them constantly, telling Meredith that her husband would not stand for such a free-speaking maid.

"What else have you heard about the Gordon?" Meredith tore a piece of bread from the loaf, buttered it and bit into the delicious crust. "Tell me."

"Well..." Lily clutched her hands together with glee. "I hear the younger laird, Declan, is not honorable. He openly disliked his brother and even bedded his late father's wife."

"No!"

"Yes, that is what the chambermaid, Awena, overheard when the older Carrick Gordon and his wife, Analise, lived there."

Meredith felt the room tilt and she ran both hands over her face. "God help me. I didn't think it was possible for things to get any worse." It was doubtful the new lusty laird would be interested in marrying someone like her, of a lesser and tiny clan with a modest dowry. The thought gave her hope.

Lily continued. "Awena told me the new Laird Gordon is a beautiful devil. It is said he is even more attractive than Laird Carrick, if that's possible. Just his presence makes the most reasonable of maids swoon at his feet."

"And, no doubt, tumble into his bed as well," Meredith grumbled. "I must find a way to keep my brother from visiting the Gordon.” An idea came to mind and she let out a breath. "Come, Lily, surely there is another man here in the village worth marrying. I must shop for something altogether different now." She placed silver coins on the table and rose.

"What do you mean to do, milady?" Lily grabbed her basket and held it up blocking Meredith's path. "Don't do anything that ye will regret."

"Don't be silly. I am stopping my brother from marrying me to a lust-filled, dreadful man.” Meredith was losing time and patience with her maid. "Come with me or stay, it matters naught. It may be best if I do this alone." She moved around the basket-wielding maid and headed to the door.

Meredith stepped through the door already scanning the surroundings for the man who'd help her out of a bad situation. A handsome and nice husband was exactly what she needed. Someone who worked his land and kept a good home. She didn't require he be rich, her small dowry would ensure a good start for a comfortable life.

"What are you planning?" Lily hurried to stand before her with both arms outstretched. She made a comical sight, her cap askew, basket hanging from an arm and her shawl off one shoulder. "I will not allow ye to do something that will be harmful to yer honor and future, Meredith."

In her consternation, Lily forgot to address her properly and for some reason, it made Meredith giggle. "I'm not, Lily," she said and Lily relaxed, lowering her arms. "I plan to find a man of my choice and then I will ensure he compromises me and is forced to marry me. That is all." She waltzed around the slack-mouthed Lily and headed toward the town square.

Unfortunately, she lost bravado quite fast. The men in the square left a lot to be desired. Two men, one lanky and stooped, the other broad of chest with a large belly stood arguing over a sad looking cow. A farmer wearing a lopsided hat and a scowl strode across her path; a woman scurried behind with a bawling babe in one arm and another child dragging behind. There was a vendor who sold his wares with a loud voice. He was younger, but Meredith could not see herself spending her days standing next to the cart touting the wonders of sheepskins. An attractive man stepped into view and she perked up only to lose interest when he lifted a tankard, screamed in slurred words for the band to play a jig to which he immediately began to hop around in a circle to.

Two horsemen neared, both at once catching her attention.

A tall, dark-haired, broad-shouldered man dismounted. His companion, just as tall with lighter golden, wavy hair did the same. They tethered their horses and began walking. Whoever the men were, they commanded attention. Children scurried to them and she watched the darker one place a coin in their outstretched hands.

The lighter man did no such thing, by his scowl seemed to disapprove and, instead, tracked a tartlet walking to the well.

It was possible the fair-haired man was the new laird. Her future husband would be handsome, caring, and generous like the dark-haired one. She turned to Lily, who'd caught up. "Is that the new laird?"

"I believe so, milady." Lily narrowed her eyes at the men. "Both are quite bonnie are they not?"

"Yes, but it's obvious who is the laird by the scowl and how he tracks that woman." Meredith looked to the tart, who hesitated upon noticing the blond man's notice.