LORD OF DUNKEATHE by Margaret Moore Read Free Book Online

out of the chamber made over to her use while they were in Dunkeathe. Together they were going to the hall to enjoy the special feast in celebration of St. John the Baptist's Day and, so Uncle Fergus said, to welcome all the guests in fine Norman style.
    Since their two small rooms were farthest from the hall, it made more sense to leave the building by the guarded outer door than go along the upper corridor. Riona suspected their rooms were really intended for the body servants of the household or the guests and had been pressed into service because so many had come to Dunkeathe.
    The size and location didn't trouble her a bit. The chambers were more than large enough for herself and Uncle Fergus, and they had the additional virtue of privacy. At home, she shared a teach with several other women of the household; here, since she had no maid, she had the chamber to herself. Tonight, she wouldn't have to listen to Maeve snore, or hear Aelean get up to use the chamber pot. She wouldn't be bothered by Seas and Sile whispering for what seemed an age before they fell asleep. Tonight, she would be blissfully alone, in welcome silence.
    "I wonder what they'll feed us," Uncle Fergus mused as they strolled through the courtyard. "I've heard the Normans drown everything in spicy sauces."
    "I'm sure there'll be something we'll like," Riona assured him as she linked her arm though his.
    The air carried a whiff of smoke from the bonfires being kindled in the village to celebrate Midsummer's Day.
    "Aye, I suppose," her uncle replied. He slid her a wry glance. "I'm also wondering what you'll think of Sir Nicholas."
    Riona tried not to betray any reaction at all, but she couldn't subdue a blush. "He's probably a very impressive soldier."
    "Oh, aye, he's very impressive. A fine fellow."
    Uncle Fergus looked particularly pleased, as if he were contemplating a great secret. Her suspicions aroused, she immediately asked, "Did you meet him?"
    And If so, what did Sir Nicholas say to you?
    Instead of answering her question, Uncle Fergus ran a studious gaze over her simple dark green woollen dress. "I should have bought you a new gown."
    "This is more than good enough," she said, smoothing down the gown with her hand. "I'd feel uncomfortable in silk or damask or brocade. Did you meet Sir Nicholas earlier?"
    "Something smells good," Uncle Fergus noted as he pushed open the doors of the hall and ushered her inside, still not answering her question.
    Which was momentarily forgotten when Riona entered the magnificent, and crowded, hall. It was easily sixty feet long and thirty feet wide, with a raised dais at the farthest end and pillars down its length to support the high roof. Wide beams rested on corbels carved to resemble the heads of various animals. A long table covered in white linen stood on the dais, along with carved chairs. A colourful tapestry hung behind it, and more decorated the walls. The rushes beneath her feet released the odour of rosemary and fleabane.
    More than finely dressed nobles filled the room and created the noise. Here, as in the courtyard, what seemed a bevy of servants hurried through the hall, some still setting up tables and covering them with linen, others lighting torches. Hounds wandered about, snuffling at the rushes and looking around expectantly, often in the direction of a door that led to the kitchen, for wonderful odours wafted to her from that direction.
    More than once the servants collided, argued and cast annoyed looks at their fellows. A few of the younger servants appeared utterly confused, and had to be pointedly reminded about what they were to do.
    There was no woman who seemed to be in any position of authority here, only the steward they'd met at the gate. Standing in the corner near the dais, he looked harried and rather lost. Obviously he wasn't prepared for this responsibility, or maybe he was overwhelmed by the number of guests.
    She could have told him that the tables should have been set up much