Never Seduce a Scot (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #1)(59)

Eveline’s hand automatically went to her ear and she fiddled with the lobe and the shell, fingering it absently.

“I cannot hear.”

“What’s that? Speak up, child. I cannot hear you.”

Rorie pushed by her and angled herself so Eveline would be able to see.

“She cannot hear, Nora. So she doesn’t always know how loudly she speaks. Sometimes ’tis hard to understand her, but all you need to do is ask that she speak up.”

Nora’s eyes narrowed. Behind her several of the women put their washing down completely and hovered in the background, watching and listening to the goings-on.

“What do you mean, she can’t hear?” Nora said. “She understands what we say, that much is obvious.”

“I can read the words that are formed on your lips,” Eveline intervened. This time she made certain she spoke loudly enough. Perhaps it was too loud, because Nora took a step back, her eyes widening.

“How is that possible?” Nora asked suspiciously.

Eveline shrugged. “I have no desire to explain it. I can only say that I am able to understand when you speak as long as I’m looking directly at you.”

“And why wouldn’t you talk before now? Rumor is you haven’t spoken in three long years.”

There was a long pause as Eveline weighed just how honest she should be. There was little point in any further deception.

“Because I didn’t feel safe,” she said.

Nora looked taken aback. “Not safe? With your own clan?”

Behind her several of the other women were murmuring among themselves. Eveline’s declaration had surprised them all. Some even looked at her with sympathy. Sympathy always made her cringe. It was something she’d had to live with for a very long time. But coming from these women, it didn’t feel as smothering. They were horrified over the idea she wouldn’t have felt safe among her own kin and she wasn’t going to take the time to explain the entire story nor would she clarify the true reasons for her fear.

Another woman pushed in beside Nora, her brows drawn in question. “Yet you speak to us. Here, among the Montgomerys.”

Eveline smiled and nodded.

“Why?” Nora asked, obviously perplexed.

“Because I feel safe.”

Eyes widened all around at that.

Rorie, ever the impatient one, cut in. “Nora, Eveline wanted to ask your assistance in a matter.”

Nora glanced back at Eveline. “Of course. What is it you wish to ask for?”

Eveline took in a deep breath. “Everyone has a duty here … save me. Rorie has told me that the laird and his brothers oversee the running of the keep. ’Tis my duty as wife of the laird and one I take seriously. But I need the assistance of someone who is well versed in the duties and has the knowledge to instruct me on the way of things.”

Nora puffed up, her chin coming up a few inches. “Well, now, you’ve come to the right place, lass. Indeed, you have. You spend the day with me and I’ll have you running the place in no time.”

Eveline beamed back at her, excitement curling in her stomach. “Thank you!”

Rorie rolled her eyes. “I’ll leave you two to your women’s duties. I’m going to go straighten the accounting room for when Father Drummond arrives.”

Eveline waved Rorie off, too excited by Nora’s ready acceptance of Eveline’s request for help to worry over the loss of Rorie’s companionship.

It wasn’t complete acceptance. Eveline still had a long way to go. But it was a step in the right direction. If the women saw that she was willing to throw herself into the Montgomery way of life, then perhaps they’d eventually soften toward her, forget that she was Eveline Armstrong and eventually think of her as Eveline Montgomery.

CHAPTER 28

Eveline didn’t remember her mother ever scrubbing floors as part of her duties as a laird’s wife, but it was also true, Eveline had spent little time inside the keep. And when she was indoors, she kept away from the main social areas.

During the long winter months and seemingly endless nights, she’d kept to her chamber in front of a roaring fire. Brodie and Aiden often came to visit her, and she enjoyed their company, even when they were saying nothing at all or merely conversing among themselves and not including her in the discussion.

Nora had insisted that true leaders led by example and if she wanted acceptance from her clansmen, she had to show them that she wasn’t above a little dirt on her hands.

It all made sense when Nora explained it, but now, when Eveline was on her hands and knees, up to her elbows in soapy water, the idea didn’t seem so sound any longer.

Still, she was too stubborn to cry off once she’d begun the task. She knew they watched her, and she wouldn’t allow them to see her in a weak moment. She’d scrub the floor until it shone. Even if it killed her.

When she’d done the entire hall, she could barely stand. Her back protested loudly when she straightened, and she was fairly certain she’d groaned aloud.

Wiping the hair from her face, she lugged the pail of now dirty water to the back entrance and tossed it onto the ground. In the distance, she saw a group of women playing with the children, and her mouth drooped. It would have been fun to be outside on such a glorious day.

She trudged back indoors and went into the small room just off the kitchen where many of the utility items were stored. Nora met her as she came out, an approving smile on her face.