When she reached her friend, she said, 'Everyone seems quite thrilled to have my company.'
Frances Catherine laughed. Patrick reacted in just the opposite way. He evidently thought she'd been serious when she made that remark. 'Judith, I don't believe thrilled is the proper word. Actually, I would wager they're…'
He looked at his wife for help in softening the truth. Frances Catherine didn't give him any assistance, however. She couldn't quit laughing.
Judith smiled up at Patrick. 'Would 'appalled' be a better word?'
'Nay,' Frances Catherine said. 'Outraged, disgusted, or perhaps-'
'Enough,' Patrick interrupted with a low growl. The sparkle in his eyes indicated he wasn't really angry.
'Then you were jesting with me when you suggested-'
Judith nodded. 'Yes, I was jesting. I know I'm not welcome here. Iain warned me.'
Before Patrick could comment on that remark, an elderly warrior called out to him. He bowed to Frances Catherine and Judith, then walked over to the cluster of men standing near the steps to the keep. Frances Catherine linked her arm through Judith's and started walking down the slope.
'You'll be staying with Patrick and me,' she explained. 'It might be a little cramped but I want you close by.'
'Is there more than one room in this cottage?'
'No. Patrick wants to add another after the baby's born.'
Patrick came down the hill to join them. The frown on his face made Judith believe he'd already had to defend her presence to the warriors.
'Is it going to be difficult for you, Patrick, because you invited me to come here?'
He didn't give her a direct answer. 'They'll become accustomed to having you around.'
They reached the cottage. It was the first along the pathway. Flowers bordered the front of their home, some pink, others red, and the stone had been thoroughly whitewashed until it was pristine clean.
There was a wide square window on each side of the door. The interior was just as inviting as the exterior. A stone hearth took up the center of one wall. A large bed covered with a beautiful multicolored quilt was positioned against the opposite wall, and a round table surrounded by six stools took up the rest of the space. The washstand was near the door.
'We'll bring a cot inside before nightfall,' Frances Catherine promised.
Patrick nodded agreement, but he didn't look very happy about the arrangement. Nay, he looked resigned.
It was a delicate topic, but one that needed to be settled as soon as possible. Judith went over to the table and sat down. 'Patrick, please don't leave yet,' she called out when he started back out the doorway. 'I would like to talk to you about this sleeping arrangement.'
He turned, leaned against the door, folded his arms across his chest and waited for her to explain. He thought she was going to suggest that he find someplace else to stay while she was there, and he was already preparing himself for his wife's disappointment when he told Judith no. Although it wasn't possible to be physically intimate with Frances Catherine now, he still enjoyed holding her close during the night, and by God, he wasn't going to give that up.
Unless Frances Catherine got all teary-eyed on him again, Patrick admitted. He'd give up anything just to ease her distress.
Judith was taken aback by the intense frown Patrick was giving her. Frances Catherine's husband was turning out to be as gruff-natured as Iain was. She still liked him, of course, and all because she could tell from the way he watched his wife that he loved her.
She folded her hands together. 'I don't feel it's appropriate for me to stay with you. You both should have your privacy each night,' she added in a rush when Frances Catherine looked like she was going to argue. 'Please don't take offense,' she said. 'But I think a husband and wife should have time alone. Isn't there someplace I could stay that's close by?'
Frances Catherine was vehemently shaking her head when Patrick spoke up. 'The cottage two down is empty. It's smaller than ours, but I'm certain it would do.'
'Patrick, I want her to stay with us.'
'She just explained she doesn't want to, love. Let her have her way.'
Judith was embarrassed. 'It isn't that I don't want to stay-'
'There, do you see? She does want to-'
'Frances Catherine, I'm going to win this argument,' Judith announced. She nodded to her friend when she made that prediction.
'Why?'
'Because it's my turn,' she explained. 'You may win the next argument.'
'Lord, you're stubborn. All right. You may stay in Elmont's cottage. I'll help you make it comfortable.'
'You will not,' Patrick interjected. 'You're going to rest, wife. I'll see to your friend's comfort.'
Patrick was looking much happier now. Judith guessed he was relieved she was going to be sleeping somewhere else. He even smiled at her. She smiled back. 'I do assume Elmont isn't living there anymore and won't mind.'
'He's dead,' Patrick told her. 'He isn't going to mind at all.'
Frances Catherine shook her head at her husband. He winked at her, then left the cottage. 'My husband didn't mean to sound so callous, but Elmont was very old when he died, and his passing was peaceful. Patrick was just making a little jest. I think he's taken with you, Judith.'
'You love him very much, don't you, Frances Catherine?'
'Oh, yes,' her friend answered. She sat down at the table and spent a good hour talking about her husband. She told Judith how they'd met, how he relentlessly pursued her, and finished by mentioning just a hundred or two of his special qualities.
The only thing the man wasn't capable of was walking on water… yet. Judith made that comment when her friend paused for breath.
Frances Catherine laughed. 'I'm so happy you're here.'
'You don't have hurt feelings because I want to sleep somewhere else?'
'No, of course not. Besides, you'll be close enough to hear me shout if there's need. I must be careful not to exclude Patrick. My husband does get his feelings hurt quite easily if he thinks I'm not paying him enough attention.'
Judith tried not to laugh. Patrick was such a big brute of a man. The idea that he could have injured feelings was vastly amusing, and terribly sweet.
'He looks like his brother.'
'Perhaps just a little,' Frances Catherine agreed. 'Patrick's much more handsome, though.'
Judith was of the opinion that it was really just the opposite. Iain was much better-looking than Patrick was. Love really must color one's perception, she decided.
'Patrick's incredibly gentle and loving.'
'So is Iain,' Judith remarked before she could stop herself.
Her friend immediately latched on to that comment. 'And how would you know if Iain's loving or not?'
'He kissed me.' She'd whispered that confession, felt herself blush, and immediately lowered her gaze. 'Twice.'
Frances Catherine was stunned. 'Did you kiss him back… twice?'
'Yes.'
'I see.'
Judith shook her head. 'No, you don't see,' she argued. 'We were attracted to each other. I'm not at all certain why, but it doesn't really matter. The attraction's over now. Really,' she added when she saw her friend's reaction.
Frances Catherine didn't believe her. She was shaking her head. 'I know why he was attracted to you,' she said.
'Why?'
Frances Catherine rolled her eyes heavenward. 'Honest to God, you don't have a bit of vanity inside you.
