Rorie’s mouth gaped open, and her expressions were almost comical as she reacted to Genevieve’s story. By the time Genevieve brought things to the present, Rorie had grasped Genevieve’s hands and held them tightly.
“ ’Tis a terrible, heart-breaking tale,” Rorie burst out. There were tears in her eyes, and Genevieve was shocked at the lass’s reaction.
“I’m glad you killed them,” Rorie said fiercely. “ ’Tis no less than they deserved. They deserved to suffer far more. They should have been gutted and left for the buzzards to feed on their carcasses.”
Genevieve laughed, some of the horrible tension leaving her chest. Her laughter ended in a low sob, and Rorie pulled her into her arms, hugging her until Genevieve thought she might smother.
It felt so good. Both the unburdening and the offer of comfort from the younger lass. Genevieve could feel some of the protective barriers she’d held for so long begin to unravel in the warmth of the Montgomery family.
“I am glad you are here,” Rorie said when she finally pulled away. “You’ll be happy with us, Genevieve.”
Genevieve smiled wanly. “I only hope Eveline can be as understanding as you.”
“Eveline has the biggest heart of any lass I know. You’ll love her, and she’ll love you. I don’t think she has it within her to hate anyone, and if she doesn’t hate my clan after all they put her through, I don’t see her harboring ill will against you either.”
Genevieve let out a sigh of relief. Maybe this would all work out. Maybe she’d finally found a … home. A safe harbor from all the pain of the last year.
“Come, let’s unpack your trunk so that you can settle into your chamber and your new life here,” Rorie said cheerfully. “Then we can go down for the evening meal together.”
Genevieve allowed Rorie to dictate the pace as the two women unpacked the items from her trunk. Rorie kept up a lively chatter that made Genevieve’s head spin.
In all the time Genevieve had spent at McHugh Keep, she’d never once unpacked her trunk, though so few of her belongings had survived Ian’s spite. It would have been too much like admitting defeat. She’d left every item packed, hoping beyond hope that one day she’d leave that place.
Though she would never return home to her father’s lands, already she felt at home here at Montgomery Keep. Hope flowed into her soul, something she’d thought never to feel again.
She was free, and with people who would not harm her. There was nothing sweeter than finally knowing peace.
Chapter 40
Genevieve did wear her cloak to the evening meal. She had no wish to be the object of so much scrutiny as soon as she arrived. She knew at some point all would know of her scars and it was something she would have to deal with, but until she became more comfortable in her surroundings she preferred obscurity.
Rorie accompanied her downstairs. The two lasses had remained above stairs, unpacking Genevieve’s meager belongings and moving other objects into Genevieve’s chamber in order to make it more inviting.
The finished product delighted Genevieve. Her chamber rivaled her own chamber at her father’s keep. It was comfortable and lavish, fit for an important guest.
Rorie had changed the bedding and added furs to the flooring and in front of the hearth. Large candles were placed around the room to lend brightness to the interior. Comfortable chairs had been moved within. Not a single detail had been overlooked. Genevieve could hardly believe it. She felt like a pampered princess when she’d spent the last year as the lowliest whore.
And when Rorie had seen the few dresses that Genevieve owned, she’d instantly vowed to set the women of the keep to sewing more for Genevieve.
Rorie urged her down the stairs and into the hall, where it already bustled with activity as the evening meal was being served. She hurried toward the raised dais, where Bowen already sat, and beamed at her brother as she directed Genevieve to take one of the empty places on either side of Bowen.
Rorie took the other one, her eyes dancing with excitement as she scooted the bench closer to the table.
Bowen reached underneath the table and curled his fingers around Genevieve’s hand, squeezing in a silent message. The gesture comforted her and she squeezed back.
“Do your new accommodations fit your needs?” he asked. “And did Rorie manage to settle you in?”
“ ’Tis perfect,” Genevieve said in a sincere voice. “Rorie did far too much. I feel like a pampered princess. ’Twas not necessary to go to so much trouble.”
Bowen shot Rorie a grateful look. “There was every reason. I want you to be comfortable and happy. You’ve suffered enough ill fortune. ’Tis time for someone to care for you as they should.”
Her cheeks heated at the intimacy in his voice. She prayed that Rorie hadn’t been paying attention to all that Bowen had said.
“ ’Tis odd not to have Graeme, Teague, and Eveline at the evening meal,” Rorie said. “ ’Tis my hope that everyone will be returned soon. There is too much chaos of late. ’Twas much better when nothing ever happened and it was quiet around the keep.”
Though her tone was teasing, Genevieve didn’t miss the wistful note that crept into her voice. The lass obviously loved her family and missed them when they weren’t near.
“Graeme and Eveline will be home on the morrow,” Bowen supplied. “I know not when Teague will be returned. He is assuming my duties at McHugh Keep.”
Rorie’s face fell and she looked down at her plate, toying with the food in front of her.
“He’ll not stay gone forever, sweeting,” Bowen said in a gentle voice.
He leaned toward Genevieve. “Rorie is especially close to Teague. She’s taking his absence hard.”
Genevieve nodded, and then she paused, staring at Bowen.
“Do you know what I like best about Montgomery Keep so far?”
Bowen cocked his head, his lips curving into a delighted smile. “What’s that?”
“The food,” she exclaimed. “If I am never forced to eat another meal prepared by a McHugh, it will be too soon.”
Bowen laughed, a deep, rich, throaty sound that was pleasurable to Genevieve’s ears.
“I find I agree with you there, lass.”
Rorie’s nose wrinkled. “Was it so bad?”
“Yes!” Bowen and Genevieve answered in unison.
Rorie laughed. “ ’Tis little wonder, then, that you haven’t fallen on the meal before you.”
“I’m trying to exert a little control,” Genevieve said with a grin.
Bowen and Rorie both chuckled.
What Genevieve noticed most was that the members of the Montgomery clan were open and friendly. Rorie had related that it hadn’t always been so, and that the women of the clan, particularly, had shown a lot of animosity toward Eveline when Graeme had married her.
Genevieve had felt instant sympathy for Eveline, because she knew well what it was like to have such hatred directed at her.
But so far the women—and the men—had been nothing but courteous and warm toward Genevieve. She had no idea if ’twas their natural inclination or Bowen had issued a stern warning.
Bowen leaned over so his words would only be heard by Genevieve. “When we’ve finished our meal, let’s take a walk. I’ll show you the outside of the keep.”
There was more in his voice, a frustration that they hadn’t spent any time together since their arrival. Her cheeks grew warm with pleasure, and she smiled back at him.
“I’d like that.”
This time it was she who found his hand under the table and gave it a squeeze. He laced his fingers through hers and held tightly until they were forced to disentangle their hands in order to eat.
At the finish, Rorie looked expectantly in Genevieve’s direction, but Bowen was quick to interject himself.
“I am taking Genevieve around the grounds outside the keep. I’ll escort her to her chamber when we are finished. There’s no need for you to wait on her.”
Rorie pursed her lips and surveyed Bowen and Genevieve with a keen eye, which told Genevieve the lass wasn’t fooled in the least. A grin curved her lips and a mischievous light entered her eyes.
“I think I shall go find Father Drummond, since we missed this morning’s lessons. Perhaps he can fit in a few minutes this eve before he takes to his bed.”
Bowen groaned. “Give the man some peace, Rorie. You’ll drive him daft before long. The poor man will run screaming from Montgomery lands and swear an oath never to return.”
Rorie glared at Bowen, then rose from the table, her chin thrust upward. She turned and stalked away, leaving Bowen and Genevieve alone at the table.
“So what think you of Rorie?” Bowen asked.
“She’s fun,” Genevieve said. “And she has a huge heart. I like her very much.”
“She’s a meddlesome, interfering brat,” Bowen said in amusement. “But ’tis the truth we love her dearly and life would not be the same without her antics.”
Genevieve grinned. “Isn’t that the way with little sisters?”
Bowen rose and held out his hand to Genevieve. “Are you ready to take our walk?”
She slid her fingers over his, savoring the intimate contact. “I’d like that very much.”
He assisted her down the dais and turned to walk out the back entrance, past the bathhouses.
“You’re welcome to use the bathhouses or, if you prefer, you can have a tub and water brought up to your chamber if you require privacy. There is also the river, and Eveline often makes use of it, much to Graeme’s dismay. But if ’tis your preference, let me know and I’ll arrange it so you have complete privacy.”
Her heart squeezed, fluttering wildly. He was so solicitous. So caring.
He took her hand and enfolded it in his as they moved past the stone skirt surrounding the keep and toward the hillsides that overlooked the river.
The river was larger and deeper than the one at McHugh Keep. There were areas that could be used for bathing or swimming without fear of being seen.
Bowen led her to a vast expanse of green rolling terrain where sheep and horses grazed. The river was not far away and it posed a magnificent backdrop to the setting sun.
She breathed in a contented sigh. ’Twas beautiful here, and so very peaceful. She was filled with hope and, at last, happiness.
“I think I will be very happy here,” she said in a low voice.
Bowen looked away, unable to meet her gaze. She cocked her head, confused by his demeanor. Had she said something wrong? Did he plan to send her to the abbey after all?
“ ’Tis my heart’s wish for you to be happy,” he said. “ ’Tis all I want for you, Genevieve. You’ve suffered long enough. I would do whatever necessary to ensure that you are content.”
She squeezed his hand. “I never thought to meet a man like you, Bowen Montgomery. My experience has taught me to fear men and not to trust their pretty words and lies. You’ve been naught but honest and sincere with me.”
His face turned gray, and there was clear dismay in his eyes. He looked as though he’d swallowed something exceedingly unpleasant.
Worry plagued her, for his mood was different this night. He seemed distant, as if something bothered him.
“Bowen? Is aught amiss?”
He tugged her underneath the shelter of his arm as they continued their journey toward the river.
“Nay. That you are content is all that matters to me.”
“I am ever grateful to you,” she said earnestly. “Now that I am away from the McHughs, I cannot fathom ever going back. ’Tis something that haunts my sleep at night. I’ve dreamed for so long of being free of Ian and his clan that now that I am here ’tis hard to believe it’s not a figment of my most ardent desires.”
He kissed her tenderly, his mouth sweet on hers. “You’ll not ever return, Genevieve. You have my word on it.”
She touched his face, letting her fingers linger along his cheekbone. “You are a good man, Bowen. I’ll not ever forget all that you have done for me.”
He closed his eyes for a long moment, and when he opened them they were bleak and forlorn. She knew not what occupied his mind, but it worried her, for he was not his usual self this eve.
“Come,” he said. “Let us go down by the riverside and watch the sun set. ’Tis a beautiful place to watch the stars. There will be a chill, but I’ll keep you warm, lass.”
She smiled and nestled more firmly into his side. She had no doubt that he’d do just that. And an evening spent in his arms was the most perfect way to spend a night.
Chapter 41
The excitement of the past few days rapidly caught up to Genevieve and she slept the sleep of the dead. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she was sound asleep, and she didn’t stir when the first strains of dawn began to lighten the room. Nor did she move when Rorie knocked on her door to invite her down to break her fast.