Free Seducing the Laird by Lauren Marrero Page B

keep, including a lady unlike any she had seen before. She was tall for a woman and strikingly beautiful, but what stood out the most was the quiet dignity with which she held herself. She was regal and stood aloof from those around her. Her clothing and manner suggested she was a lady of substance and she surmised this was Ivone, Cairn’s stepmother and lady of the castle.
    Cairn dismounted and helped Verena out of the saddle. Stable boys instantly appeared to lead their weary horses away.
    "Lady Ivone," said Cairn as he bowed before her. He bent to kiss the lady’s proffered hand.
    "My son," replied the woman in a voice both sweet and commanding.
    Cairn rose stiffly and then stepped aside so his brother could greet the lady. Andreu was also strangely formal and Verena wondered at their sincerity. They greeted each other more like strangers than family. Verena recalled that Cairn rarely visited Scotland after he was squired. Was this woman the reason for his estrangement?
    "Mother," said Andreu. "It is good to see you."
    "And you, my son," replied Lady Ivone. "I hope you will be staying longer this time."
    "I will stay as long as possible," said Andreu. "You are looking well, mother. The Scottish air agrees with you."
    Ivone waved dismissively at her son’s praise.
    "You know I cannot abide this frigid country," she replied, turning her piercing gaze on Verena. "Who is this?"
    Cairn cleared his throat and gestured for Verena to approach.
    "Lady Ivone," he replied. "It is my honor to present Verena of Langthorne. Verena, this is Ivone de la Marche, my stepmother."
    After an introduction like that Verena had no choice but to sink into a deep curtsy. Why did Cairn use such an elegant introduction on a low-born woman like her? Perhaps he felt it was important that Lady Ivone didn’t know her humble origins.
    "My Lady," Verena said, rising to her feet. She forced herself to put on a pleasantly bland expression as the woman inspected her from head to toe. She wished she had the chance to bathe or comb her hair before their arrival. Her too-tight gown was soaked with dried blood and mud and she could feel tendrils of hair escaping from her plaits to drift in the light breeze. She forced herself not to pat them down lest the gesture be taken for a sign of nervousness. Though she didn’t flinch beneath the woman’s uncompromising stare, she had the uncomfortable feeling that she was being judged and found lacking.
    Finally Lady Ivone nodded.
    "Verena of Langthorne," she began curiously, examining her plain attire. "I’m sure there is a very interesting story about that."
    "Which I will be happy to speak of tonight," finished Cairn loudly for the benefit of the onlookers. "For now let us rest and refresh ourselves. We have had a hard journey."
    "Very well," replied Ivone, turning her attention back to the brothers. "You must be tired after your adventure. I had your usual rooms prepared and water is being heated for baths. If you will excuse me, I will escort our guest to her rooms in the northwest tower."
    The strange choice of words immediately caught her attention. Why did she announce to everyone where she would sleep? Despite Cairn’s gracious introduction the lady must have reservations about her character. If she judged correctly Lady Ivone would put her as far away from her sons as possible.
    After a long walk through the castle they finally stopped in front of an arched doorway. Verena’s earlier guess about their location was correct. They were far from the common rooms in a section that looked barely used. She would dare anyone to make improper assumptions about her relationship with Cairn now.
    Her quick glance about the room was reassuring. These were no servant’s quarters. This room was obviously intended for a person of means. The furnishings weren’t as gaudy as some of the noble suites she had seen. This was the kind of room one gave a beloved cousin rather than visiting royalty. She thought it was