“I don’t think the lass is that devious. I think she was desperate for a place to call home that wasn’t crumbling around her ears,” Alasdair allowed.
“Devious, nay, but smart, aye. I feel there is more to the lass’s story than she’s told us. She’s a clever one, and moving her entire clan based on an old, faded piece of paper seems too reckless. And if that is the case, keep in mind, our ancestors had to fight to gain other holds. ’Twas lots of blood, death, and injuries to take over another clan’s lands. No one waved a decrepit paper and claimed ownership.”
Alasdair had the nerve to laugh. “I cannot imagine the wee lass, her brother, and her three companions sieging a castle. What would they beat them with? The broken wheel from that sorry cart? ’Tis only good for fuel.”
“With the spirit the lass shows, I would not put it past her to march up to a castle and demand entrance.” Evan shook his head, hating that he admired her. He had to give her credit for uprooting her entire clan and moving them to a strange place. Showed desperation, for sure.
“’Tis another consideration,” Alasdair added. “They would never make it back to Stirlingshire with that cart.”
“I could offer them horses. We have plenty.”
Alasdair stood and slapped Even on the back. “Time to retire. This is not something that will be solved tonight. We are both tired from our own journey. Tomorrow will look much brighter.”
…
The next day dawned dark and full of thunderstorms. Evan rolled over in his bed and stared out the window with the rain pelting against it. Nothing would be done this day. The necessary visits to the tenant farmers and crofters would have to wait. Instead, he would be forced to remain in the castle—with his unwanted guests—and interview the household staff to see what needed to be done inside and if any staff members needed to be added.
After seeing the place, he wasn’t so sure his original plan would work. It would be difficult to imagine leaving the castle empty of residents. He hated that the thought of hiring Mistress Stirling to oversee the castle kept presenting itself as the best solution for that dilemma.
Katie.
A thorn in his side, to be sure. But mayhaps she could also be a solution to his problem with the castle. As he’d noted to his brother, she certainly seemed clever enough. The only problem was he would have to remain here until the rest of her clan arrived. Although she seemed to be somewhat competent, she’d still made a foolish decision to uproot everyone and bring them to a place for which she had an elusive claim.
Before he could return to Argyll, he would need to see all the new arrivals settled. ’Twas his responsibility to make sure everyone was settled before he left. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be too far in the future, or he would be stuck here all winter.
With Mistress Stirling.
Later, when he went down, wonderful smells again emanated from the Great Hall. Looking better than the last time he’d seen her, Mistress Stirling wore a fresh gown and had obviously enjoyed a much-needed bath. Her hair had been pulled up into some sort of knot at the top of her head, but ringlets were already escaping around her face and forehead.
She was a bonny lass, no doubt about that. Why she remained unmarried was a question that plagued him. Most young lasses would have had their da set up an arrangement for them long before they reached the age Mistress Stirling appeared to be. He thought she might be about five and twenty years.
She had that younger brother, so perhaps she’d been involved in raising him. In fact, Evan knew very little about the lass except for the nebulous document she’d waved at him to show proof of her ownership. Why had she left her home, for starters, and why did she have no spouse looking after her and her brother? All questions to which he needed answers.
The lass chatted easily with Alasdair, waving her fork around as she spoke. The maid was nowhere in sight, nor were the two men or her little brother.
“Good morning, lad, Mistress Sterling, brother.” Evan nodded in their direction before taking a seat at the long table. He reached for the platter of eggs, ham, and sausage. He then loaded his plate with tatties, scones, buttered toast, and baked beans.
“Not hungry this morning, Evan?” Alasdair grinned at him over his tea cup.
“Aye. Always hungry, brother.” He nodded at Alasdair’s empty plate. “It looks as though ye had yer own fill of breakfast.” He smiled his thanks at the young lass who poured coffee into the cup in front of him. As much as he liked his tea, coffee was his choice of brew in the morning.
Mistress Stirling viewed their exchange as she continued to eat. He noticed her plate had almost as much food on it as his. He liked a lass who enjoyed her food. It generally meant she enjoyed other pleasures as well. Ach! I’d better get my mind far away from that idea.
“When yer finished with yer breakfast, Mistress, I would like a word with ye.”
Both Alasdair and Katie stopped eating and turned to him.
“Evan, can I speak with ye first?” Apparently concerned that over the night Evan had decided to force the Stirlings to move out, Alasdair watched him under furrowed brows.
“No need, brother. My mind is made up.”
Mistress Stirling’s face paled, and Evan should have sympathized with her concern, but she was in this difficulty because of her own actions. Let her stew a bit before he presented his plan to her. She could stay, but under his command. She would do everything a land steward would do, plus take care of the castle. She would report
