“Do you really want to change her?” Raine asked. “What is it about her that made you love her in the first place? And don’t tell me it was her beauty. You’ve been to bed with several beautiful women, but you’ve not fallen in love with them.”
“Is it so obvious?”
“To me and probably to Gavin and Miles, but I don’t think it is to Bronwyn. She doesn’t believe you care for her at all.”
Stephen sighed. “I’ve never met anyone like her, male or female. She’s so strong, so noble, almost like a man. You should see the way her clan treats her. The Scots aren’t like us. The serf children run to her and hug her, and she kisses all the babies. She knows the name of every person on her land, and they all call her by her first name. She goes without food and clothes so her clan can have more. One night, about a month after we were married, I noticed her wrapping bread and cheese in her plaid. She ignored me but kept looking toward Tam. He’s a man who often acts as her father. I realized she was doing something she didn’t want Tam to see, so after supper I followed her off the peninsula. She was taking the food to one of her crofter’s children, a sulking little boy who’d run away from home.”
“And what did you say to her?” Raine asked.
Stephen shook his head in memory. “Me, the great wise one, I told her she had to send the boy back to his parents instead of encouraging him to run away from home.”
“And what did Brownyn say?”
“She said the boy was as important to her as the parents, and she had no right to betray him just because he was a boy. She said he’d go home in a few days and accept his punishment as he should.”
Raine gave a low whistle of admiration. “Sounds like you could learn something from her.”
“You think I haven’t? She’s changed my whole life. When I went to Scotland, I was an Englishman, and now look at me. I can’t abide these English clothes. I feel like Samson with my hair cut short. I find myself looking at the English countryside and thinking it’s dry and hot compared to home. Home! I swear I’m homesick for a place that I never saw before a few months ago.”
“Tell me,” Raine said, “have you told Bronwyn how you feel? Have you told her you love her and are only concerned with her safety?”
“I’ve tried to. Once I tried to tell her that I loved her, and she said it didn’t matter, that honor and respect were more important to her.”
“But from what you say, you do have those feelings for her.”
Stephen started to grin. “It’s not easy telling Bronwyn anything. We had…I guess you could call it an argument before we arrived here.” He told Raine briefly about the trick of Hugh Lasco’s.
“Hugh!” Raine snorted. “I never much liked the man with his slow ways.”
“Bronwyn didn’t seem to mind them,” Stephen said in disgust.
Raine laughed. “Don’t tell me you are touched by Gavin’s jealousy!”
Stephen whirled on his brother. “Just wait until you are obsessed by some woman! I’ll wager you aren’t so cool-headed then.”
Raine put up his hand. “I hope I look on love as a joy and not as the disease you seem to be eaten with.”
Stephen turned away and stared into the fire. Sometimes his love for Bronwyn did seem like a disease. He felt she’d taken his soul along with his heart.
When Bronwyn left her own bedchamber, she went to Mary’s. Mary was in bed, Judith hovering over her, placing hot bricks throughout the bed.
“Judith,” Mary said quietly. “I am not about to die of a little cold water.” She looked across the room and smiled at Bronwyn. “Come and help me persuade Judith that our escapade was not of the killing sort.”
Bronwyn smiled at the women and studied Mary Her pale skin was even paler, and there were bright pink patches on her cheeks. “It was nothing,” Bronwyn said. “But I envy you with the control of spirit so you can rest.” Her eyes twinkled. “I’m so excited about the new dress Judith promised me that I cannot rest. Perhaps we could see it now,” she said suggestively to Judith.
Judith understood immediately, and the two women quietly left the room. “Do you think she will be all right?” Judith asked as soon as they were in the hall.
“Yes, she needs
rest, I can tell. I don’t believe our Mary is completely in this world. I think Heaven owns part of her. Perhaps that’s why she’s so weak.”
“Yes,” Judith agreed. “Now, about that gown—”
Bronwyn waved her hand. “It was only an excuse to give Mary a chance to rest.”
Judith laughed. “As becoming as Stephen’s robe is, it doesn’t substitute for the gown you need. Now come with me, and I want no excuses.”
An hour later Bronwyn stood arrayed in a gown of lush, deep green velvet. The color was of a forest just at sunset. The undersleeves were of brilliant green silk, and the loose, hanging oversleeves were banded with a wide border of red fox. Heavy gold cords were attached to the shoulders and hung below the deep, square neckline.