Black Richard's Heart (The MacCulloughs #1) - Suzan Tisdale Page 0,124
they trained some more. Everyone knew that eventually, the Farquars would align themselves with the Chisolms making a near indestructible fighting force.
“All around us are our enemies,” Richard remarked to Lachlan one afternoon. “We are surrounded.”
Lachlan nodded his head in agreement. “The Chisolms, the Farquars, as well as the MacRays,” he shook his head in utter disgust.
Richard blew out a frustrated breath as he and Lachlan walked the upper wall. “I fear ye are right, Lachlan. We cannae count the MacRays as allies. They want to destroy us as much as the Chisolms do.”
“Marriage contract or nay, ye are right. It would not surprise me to find the MacRays leading up the rear of any attack, peace accord be damned.”
Richard couldn’t deny he had thought the same. No matter what David had ordered, the MacRays could not be trusted.
The sun was beginning to set, though he’d be hard pressed to prove it, for the sky was dark, the rain unceasing. “My stomach growls,” he said as he slapped Lachlan on the back. “’Tis time to sup.”
Lachlan smiled broadly. “With Aeschene gettin’ yer brothers to behave like fine lads, and Hattie being able to make something finer than broth, I do enjoy our evening meals.”
Weeks ago, Richard would have hung his head in shame at the thought of his wife providing for his clan. Now, he wasn’t so prideful. It had done Aeschene’s heart a world of good knowing she was helping.
Never had he met anyone with a heart as big as his wife’s. Beauty aside -and she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever known - ’twas her heart, the way she loved without condition, that he admired most about her.
“There ye go again,” Lachlan laughed. “Thinkin’ about that bonny wife of yers.”
Richard scowled at his cousin. He’d rather gouge out his own eyes than to admit to anyone his feelings for Aeschene.
Lachlan slapped him on the back, undeterred by the scowl. “Down, laddie, yer secret is safe with me.”
With the incessant rain and winds, Aeschene and Marisse spent their days in front of the hearth in the gathering room teaching Raibeart and Colyne to read. Colyne was a bright lad and took to learning with ease. He progressed far faster than his older brother; a bone of contention for Raibeart but a sense of pride for Colyne.
To his credit, Raibeart did try his best. He wasn’t about to let his little brother out do him in anything. Aeschene offered words of encouragement for the boy. “Do nae fash yerself, Raibeart. ye will catch on soon enough.”
Raibeart grunted dismissively, but otherwise said naught.
However, when Marisse offered nearly the exact same words of support, dunnae fash yerself, lad. Ye will get the hang of it, Raibeart would laugh nervously and thank her.
Now, Aeschene may be as blind as a bat, but she was no fool. She soon caught on that Raibeart might have a wee bit of a crush on her friend. She also knew, without a doubt, that Rory MacCullough was verra much in love with Marisse.
’Twas just before the evening meal, the two women in Aeschene’s room. Marisse was helping to style her hair when Aeschene decided to bring up the topic of one Rory MacCullough. “Marisse, ye never did tell me how ye’re walks with Rory went.”
Marisse’s hands froze in midair, but only briefly. “There isn’t much to tell,” she said as she went back to braiding Aeschene’s long tresses.
“Was he a gentleman?”
“He was.”
“Did ye talk?”
“Aye.”
Pulling teeth from a rabid badger would have been easier than getting information from Marisse. “Did he try to kiss ye as ye worried?”
Her question was met with complete silence. “Well? Did he?”
“Nay, Aeschene, he didn’t try to kiss me.”
Was that a note of regret she heard in her voice? More than anything, she wanted her friend to find the same kind of happiness she had with Richard. She knew Marisse was lonely, although she was loathed to admit as much. “Do ye like him?”
Done with the braid, Marisse tied it off with a strip of leather. “Please, Aeschene, I dunnae wish to discuss it.”
She turned in the stool and took Marisse’s hands in her own. “I want nothing but ye to be happy. It is my hope that someday, and someday verra soon, ye will find someone to share yer life with.”
Marisse stepped away and began shaking out the dark green wool dress she’d chosen for Aeschene to wear.
“Is it Tiberius?” Aeschene asked. “Will yer heart forever belong to him?”