Aleck frowned. “Warship? I wouldn’t want one of my cannons to sink—they’re worth their weight in silver.”
The king rapped the table with his knuckles. “You’d best change your thinking, Sir Aleck. The way to beat the MacDonald upstarts is to ensure we have bigger cannons, faster boats and better trained soldiers. Sir Eoin MacGregor is one of the best fighting men in Scotland. He’ll see your men become trained soldiers and make the best use of your guns.”
Aleck glared across the table. Eoin folded his arms and raised his chin—not about to cower at the overblown boar’s show of impudence.
The king appeared to ignore the exchange. “I’m famished. Shall we retire to the great hall?” When the monarch stood, all chairs scraped across the floorboards as the men rose and bowed.
After the king took his leave, Eoin adjusted his sword belt and headed for the door. Sir Aleck stepped behind him. “I give my men all the training they need.”
Eoin made a show of glancing at the man’s belly. “Well then, it should be easy work to quash the MacDonald uprising to the north.”
“Aye, and then I will enjoy the spoils.” MacIain grinned.
Eoin’s jaw twitched. So that was why Aleck had opted to side with the king—not that it wasn’t common for a chieftain to shift his loyalties with the promise of riches. It’s just that Eoin MacGregor would never turn his back on his clansmen and thank God he was on the right side of this battle.
While Aleck was away, Helen found it necessary to jump back into assuming her duties a little faster than she would have liked, though she still spent every spare moment in the nursery with Maggie. Honestly, she welcomed the added work, regardless. Everything was so much more pleasant when Aleck was anywhere other than Mingary Castle.
This morning, she stood in the enormous kitchen with Peter the cook. Since she’d been a lass, the kitchen had always been one of Helen’s favorite places in a keep, and Mingary’s scullery was every bit as large as Kilchurn’s had been. It was always so warm inside, even during the bitterest days of winter. At one end, a fire crackled endlessly in the giant hearth, with all manner of iron pots stewing over the grill at any given time.
Adding to the warmth was the bread oven. It, too, baked loaves upon loaves during the day to feed the many soldiers and their families who resided at the keep. Helen inhaled and filled her senses with the mouth-watering scent of baking bread while she stood at the board, reviewing a ledger of food stores with Peter. “I think we’ve enough flour to last through the first harvest.”
He scratched his chin. Though Peter couldn’t read, he was more familiar with the contents of the barrels in the cellar than she. “I think you’re right, though it will be close.”
“Should I order a barrel just to be certain?”
“I’d reckon so.” He nodded. “And while you’re at it, we could use two more barrels of oats.”
“Very well.” She made a note in the margin.
The outer door opened. “I’ve brought a basket of eggs. My hens have started laying like they’ve been sprinkled with fairy dust.”
Helen turned. Though every muscle in her body tensed, she forced a smile.
Mary’s eyes widened, then she quickly looked away. “M’lady. I didn’t expect to see you in the kitchens.”
“Oh?” Helen had no idea why. She had always spent a great deal of time working with Peter, from ensuring the stores were in good order to menu selection. She glanced to the basket. “Thank you for the eggs. It does look like your hens have been busy.”
Mary arched an eyebrow and set the basket on the table. Then she regarded Helen with a defensive air. “Do you think Sir Aleck will return soon?”
A dozen retorts sprang to the tip of Helen’s tongue. She wanted to shake her finger and accuse the woman of being an adulteress. But that would only serve to deepen the ill feelings between them. She was lady of the keep and she would maintain her poise and authority. In no way would she lower herself and engage in a discussion of Mary’s lewd behavior—especially in front of Peter. “I imagine the galleys will return any day now.” Helen plucked an egg from the basket. It was still warm.
Mary had the gall to jut out her chin. “Things around the castle are ever so dull when