notice.
But she'd had to ask.
Something about the way Gelis had said the woman's name struck dread into her heart.
As did the pointed glances Arabella and Lady Juliana turned on the girl. Not to mention the high color now staining Gelis's cheeks and how she promptly lost the ability to meet Aveline's eye.
"Who is she?" Aveline's gaze flitted between the three MacKenzie women.
"She is no one," Lady Arabella finally said, glancing up from her own needlework, but not without sliding another chastising look at her younger sister. "Gunna of the Glen is a widow, naught else. She dwells in a side glen near our cousin Kenneth's holding, Cuidrach Castle, and is best known for her golden herrings."
Gelis sniffed and began jabbing at her embroidery work with particular relish.
"Herrings - bah!"
Ignoring her, Arabella set her stitching aside and stood, pressing a hand against the small of her back. "Prized smoked herrings," she intoned, glancing round as if to dare anyone in Baldreagan's crowded great hall to deny it.
"Smoked herrings and her skill in bed." Gelis lifted her chin, accepting the challenge. "Our own father admits there isn't a man in Kintail who hasn't enjoyed her charms! She has masses of long, silky hair the color of soot and breasts said to bring even the most fierce Highland warrior to his knees at just a glance. Some even say she keeps herself e'er naked and that her voice alone is enough to - "
"You have ne'er seen her," Arabella quipped. "Mother says she has a kind heart."
Gelis snorted. "Mother likes everyone. Have you ne'er heard the glen folk call her St. Linnet?"
"Hush," Lady Juliana admonished them, her own needlework long finished and set aside. "I am sure Lady Aveline has no wish to hear of a Glenelg joy woman."
But Aveline did.
Especially since Gelis had let slip that Jamie had been known to pay calls to the voluptuous beauty. A creature said to be irresistible. Whether Linnet MacKenzie found her kind or no, Aveline didn't like the sound of her. But the matter appeared closed, as the other three women had clamped their lips together as tightly as if they'd bitten into something sour.
"Now you see why we must leave on the morrow," Lady Juliana said after a few uncomfortable moments. "Our purpose in coming here has been met. Jamie now knows it would not be wise to visit the Garbh Uisge and you've promised to encourage him to be cautious if he does venture there."
Aveline bit her lip. Having grown up with a bevy of sisters, all of them save Sorcha married and away, she'd relished the company of the MacKenzie women. Even if their stay meant finding out about a well-made joy woman in some faraway side glen, she'd be sad to see them leave.
She slid a glance across the hall to the high table where Munro sat eating his meal. He, too, would regret the women's departure. Even now, occupied as he was enjoying cheese pasties and roasted chicken, no one could miss how his gaze repeatedly sought the lively MacKenzies. The pleasure he took in their company. Pleasure that meant a much-deserved distraction.
Aveline's heart dipped.
"I will miss you," she said, returning her attention to the visitors. "Everyone will. You've only been here a short while - "
"Trust me," Lady Juliana interrupted, glancing at Gelis, "it is better for us to leave before our welcome frays. A boiling cauldron can be cooled, but once it spills over, the damage is done."
Standing, she brushed at her skirts. "Indeed, we should retire now and see to our packing. The way north is long and difficult. An early night will serve us well."
"I am not yet tired," Gelis objected, making no move to budge from her stool.
"We've not yet told Aveline about our marriage stone ceremony. With her own wedding celebrations set for the spring and Jamie having squired at Eilean Creag, mayhap she'd like to hear of it?"
Clearly warming to the idea, she leaned forward, her eyes lighting. "Perhaps she'd even wish to come to Eilean Creag for the wedding? Use the stone - "
"Only MacKenzies can use the stone," Arabella reminded her. "Jamie squiring at Eilean Creag does not make him a MacKenzie, much as we love him."
Aveline tried to look interested, but what she wanted was to hear more about Gunna of the Glen.
More specifically, Jamie's visits to her.
"Marriage stone ceremony?" she asked, her heart not in the words. Gelis nodded. "'Tis a more romantic tale than any French ballad."
But Aveline