“WELCOME TO DEMPSEY, my lady,” said

“WELCOME TO DEMPSEY, my lady,” said the yellow-haired priest. “I’m Father Darius. I’ve come to escort you to dinner. Lord Myles regrets he cannot do so himself, but I’m afraid the earl’s fever has returned.”
Fiona didn’t like priests. Father Bettney from Sinclair Hall had the disposition of a badger and always made her skin crawl as if ants were upon it. But this one seemed pleasant enough, with pale freckles and an earnest manner. He smiled and offered his arm.
She had little choice but to take it. She could not spend the rest of her days lingering in this bedchamber. And truth be told, as unappealing as dining with dozens upon dozens of Campbells would be, she was getting restless. She’d spent the afternoon alone after Myles left. She thought briefly to venture out on her own, but decided against it when she heard men’s voices streaming in from the courtyard.
“Thank you, Father. Will my husband be joining us for dinner?”
“I don’t believe so. He and his mother are sitting with the earl. But I’ll keep you company. And Lady Vivienne and Lady Alyssa will join us too. You can tell us all about your life at Sinclair Hall.”
As they walked along the corridor, passing a dozen Campbell portraits, Father Darius told her bits about each ancestor. Their history was rich, and Fiona had not realized how entwined their clan was with the Stewart monarchy. At last turning a corner, they came upon a narrow staircase, leading down and ending with a door.
The priest paused. “Are you ready to meet the rest of your new kin?”
No, she was not. Though she’d met a handful of Campbells, and most had been cordial, who knew what the rest might be like? Beyond this door would be the knights she’d put at risk, and their resentful wives. Or worse than that, the widows she’d helped create. But Vivienne would be there, and though Fiona was still not certain of the woman’s motivations, at least she’d sit by her and not leave her to the wolves. And perhaps Darby would be there as well. That notion brightened her mood, for she missed her little champion.
Fiona nodded once. “Yes, Father.”
“That’s a good lass. I’m sure you’ll find a most gracious welcome. Though, keep in mind, they are worried for their laird. Tensions are running a bit high, and the mood is somber.”
He pulled open the door, and she stepped through into the most magnificent hall imaginable. It was huge, with blue-and-green banners bearing the Campbell crest hanging from every truss. At the far end of the hall hung another flag, larger than any of the others and displayed in the place of greatest honor. It was embroidered with the king’s emblem—a crowned lion and a unicorn—for Dempsey was a Stewart holding, with Cedric Campbell serving as master of the royal household.
Underneath that magnificent flag was a raised dais, where the family would sit to dine, and throughout the hall were other tables, each covered in crisp white cloth and laden with silver plates and platters of food. Musicians sat behind a screen, playing loudly enough to be heard but not so much as to be disruptive, while servants moved about, efficient in their tasks.
Fiona marveled at the scene. ’Twas so unlike the hall at home, where everything had a dingy pallor and a rustic feel. Exiled to the far north by the king as the Sinclairs had been, she’d known little in the way of creature comforts. And once her mother was gone, Hugh Sinclair’s only focus had been training his sons for revenge, not nurturing his daughters or providing a welcome hearth and home.
One could get used to being a Campbell if this was how they lived. Her mouth watered as the smell of pheasant and roasted boar wafted past, but she twitched her nose against it. ’Twas seduction of another sort. The fine dresses and the food and the big downy beds. And the kisses. All of this mingled into a potion meant to make her forget who she was. She’d eat the food, yes. And she’d enjoy it, too. But no delicious meal or velvet gown would bring her mother back. ’Twas Cedric Campbell who’d thrust her family into such dire straits, first by pitting the king against them and then by ripping her mother from this earth. She’d do well to remind herself of that.
Father Darius led her to the dais, where, as she’d suspected, Vivienne awaited with a ready smile. Darby was next to her, his unruly hair combed smooth.
“How was your afternoon, Fiona?” Vivienne asked, raising one inquisitive brow.
Judging from Vivienne’s expression, the woman assumed she’d spent some time in Myles’s arms. Fiona could not halt the heated blush.
“Fine,” she mumbled.
“Any revelations about...proper fabric and such?”
Fiona cast a glance at the priest, but he seemed more interested in surveying the hall. Looking back to Vivienne, she answered, “None whatsoever.”
“Ah, more’s the pity.”
Fiona took her seat, and soon Alyssa joined them, looking pale and weary.
Darius helped her to a chair. “How fares your father, child?” he asked.
“Still the same. The fever lingers, though the surgeon poured boiling oil over his injuries before applying the hot irons. He fears infection.”
The puddle of tears in the young girl’s eyes squeezed Fiona’s heart. How very much like her own sister she was, sweet and shy and fragile. Though a Campbell, Fiona knew she would never hold this girl accountable for the sins of her father.
Vivienne reached over and caressed Alyssa’s arm. “He’s strong as an ox, sweeting. He’ll be well before you know it.”
Alyssa nodded, but the tears spilled out. “Mother would not let me stay. But I’ve as much right to sit with him as anyone.”
“Of course you do. She thinks only to protect you. It isn’t good for you to see him when he’s not himself. But after dinner, we’ll go to chapel, you and I, and we’ll pray for him. Yes?” She tapped her hand against Alyssa’s.
The girl nodded again and offered a tremulous smile at her aunt. “Thank you, Vivi. I should like that very much.”
Vivienne turned to Fiona. “Of course, you are welcome to join us as well, if you’ve a mind to.”
Sit in the chapel and pray for the swift recovery of Cedric Campbell? She’d sooner kiss the devil’s backside. But she’d not say as much. These two had been kind and might prove to be the only friends she’d ever have.
“I should like to see the chapel,” Fiona said. What harm could it do after all? She had plenty to pray for. No need to point out that her prayers and theirs would clash like swords in God’s ear.

Hasil (Bahasa Indonesia) 1:

"Selamat datang untuk DEMPSEY, putri," kata imam berambut kuning. "Aku adalah ayah Darius. Aku datang untuk mengantar Anda untuk makan malam. Myles Tuhan menyesal ia tidak melakukannya sendiri, tapi aku 'm takut demam earl's telah kembali."Fiona tidak seperti para imam. Ayah Bettney dari Sinclair Hall memiliki disposisi lumba-lumba dan selalu membuat kulitnya merangkak seolah-olah semut atasnya. Tapi satu ini tampak cukup, menyenangkan dengan bintik-bintik pucat dan cara yang sungguh-sungguh. Dia tersenyum dan ditawarkan lengannya.Dia memiliki sedikit pilihan tetapi untuk mengambil itu. Dia tidak bisa menghabiskan seluruh hari berlama-lama di kamar tidur ini. Dan kebenaran mengatakan, sebagai menarik seperti makan dengan lusinan setelah puluhan Campbells akan, ia semakin gelisah. Dia telah menghabiskan sore sendirian setelah meninggalkan Myles. Dia pikir sebentar untuk usaha di sendiri, tetapi memutuskan untuk tidak melakukannya ketika ia mendengar suara-suara laki-laki streaming di dari halaman."Terima kasih, ayah. Akan suami saya bergabung dengan kami untuk makan malam?""Saya tidak percaya begitu. Ia dan ibunya sedang duduk dengan earl. Tapi aku akan membuat Anda perusahaan. Dan wanita Vivienne dan Lady Alyssa akan bergabung dengan kami juga. Anda dapat memberitahu kami tentang hidup Anda di Sinclair Hall. "Saat mereka berjalan sepanjang koridor, melewati selusin Campbell potret, Darius ayah mengatakan bit nya tentang leluhur setiap. Sejarah mereka adalah kaya, dan Fiona tidak menyadari bagaimana berlingkar klan mereka adalah dengan monarki Stewart. Akhirnya berpaling sudut, mereka tiba di tangga sempit, menuju dan berakhir dengan sebuah pintu.Imam berhenti. "Apakah Anda siap untuk memenuhi seluruh kerabat Anda baru?"Tidak, dia bukanlah. Meskipun ia bertemu beberapa Campbells, dan sebagian telah cordial, siapa yang tahu apa yang lain mungkin ingin? Di luar pintu ini akan menjadi ksatria ia akan menempatkan pada risiko dan isteri mereka benci. Atau lebih buruk dari itu, para janda dia telah membantu menciptakan. Tetapi Vivienne akan berada di sana, dan meskipun Fiona masih tidak tertentu dari wanita motivasi, setidaknya dia akan duduk dengan dia dan tidak meninggalkannya ke serigala. Dan mungkin Darby akan berada di sana juga. Gagasan bahwa menerangi suasana hatinya, karena ia merindukan juara nya sedikit.Fiona mengangguk sekali. "Ya, Bapa.""Itulah lass baik. Saya yakin Anda akan menemukan sebuah sambutan yang paling murah. Meskipun, perlu diingat, mereka khawatir untuk laird mereka. Ketegangan yang berjalan agak tinggi, dan suasana hati muram."Ia menarik buka pintu, dan dia melangkah melalui ke aula paling indah dibayangkan. Itu besar, dengan bantalan puncak Campbell tergantung dari setiap truss spanduk biru dan hijau. Di ujung lorong tergantung bendera lain, lebih besar daripada yang lain dan ditampilkan tempat terbesar kehormatan. Itu adalah bordir dengan lambang raja — singa dimahkotai dan unicorn — untuk Dempsey Stewart memegang, dengan Cedric Campbell menjabat sebagai tuan rumah tangga diraja.Di bawah bendera yang megah ini dibawakan oleh mengangkat, mana keluarga akan duduk untuk makan malam, dan sepanjang lorong itu meja lainnya, masing-masing ditutupi dengan kain putih yang renyah dan sarat dengan perak piring dan piring-piring makanan. Musisi duduk di belakang layar, bermain cukup keras untuk didengar tetapi tidak begitu banyak untuk menjadi mengganggu, sedangkan hamba pindah tentang, efisien dalam tugas-tugas mereka.Fiona mengagumi adegan. ' Sungguh sehingga tidak seperti aula di rumah, di mana segala sesuatu telah pucat suram dan suasana pedesaan. Diasingkan ke utara oleh Raja seperti Bandara Sydney telah, dia telah dikenal sedikit di jalan kenyamanan. Dan setelah ibunya sudah pergi, Hugh Sinclair fokus hanya telah pelatihan anaknya untuk membalas dendam, tidak memelihara perempuannya atau memberikan sambutan perapian dan rumah.Satu bisa membiasakan diri Campbell jika ini adalah bagaimana mereka hidup. Mulutnya disiram sebagai bau kerdil dan babi hutan panggang melayang masa lalu, tapi dia twitched hidungnya menentangnya. ' Sungguh rayuan semacam lain. Gaun halus dan makanan dan tempat tidur bulu yang besar. Dan ciuman. Semua ini berbaur ke dalam ramuan dimaksudkan untuk membuat dia lupa siapa dia. Dia akan makan makanan, ya. Dan dia akan menikmatinya, juga. Tapi tidak ada lezat makanan atau beludru gaun akan mengembalikan ibunya. ' Sungguh Cedric Campbell yang akan dorong keluarganya ke dalam kesulitan seperti itu, pertama dengan pitting raja melawan mereka dan kemudian oleh merobek ibunya dari dunia ini. Dia akan melakukannya dengan baik untuk mengingatkan diri dari itu.Darius ayah membuatnya ke podium, mana, seperti dia telah diduga, Vivienne ditunggu dengan senyum siap. Darby adalah di sebelah nya, tegar rambut disisir halus."Bagaimana Apakah Anda sore, Fiona?" Vivienne bertanya, menaikkan alis penasaran satu.Menilai dari ekspresi Vivienne's, wanita diasumsikan dia telah menghabiskan waktu di Myles di lengan. Fiona tidak bisa menghentikan blush berpemanas."Baik," ia berkata."Wahyu tentang... tepat kain dan semacamnya?"Fiona melemparkan pandangan di imam, tapi ia tampak lebih tertarik pada survei aula. Mencari kembali untuk Vivienne, dia menjawab, "Tidak ada apapun.""Ah, lebih dari kasihan."Fiona mengambil kursi, dan segera Alyssa bergabung dengan mereka, tampak pucat dan lelah.Darius membantunya untuk kursi. "Bagaimana tarif Bapamu, anak?" tanyanya."Masih tetap sama. Demam tetap hidup, meskipun ahli bedah tuangkan minyak mendidih lukanya sebelum menerapkan besi panas. Ia takut infeksi."Genangan air mata di mata gadis muda diperas dariotto jantung. Bagaimana sangat banyak seperti kakaknya sendiri dia adalah, manis dan pemalu dan rapuh. Meskipun Campbell, Fiona tahu dia akan pernah menahan gadis ini bertanggung jawab untuk dosa-dosa ayahnya.Vivienne mencapai atas dan membelai dariheri lengan. "Dia kuat sebagai lembu, sweeting. Ia akan baik sebelum kau tahu itu."Alyssa mengangguk, tapi tumpah air mata keluar. "Ibu akan tidak membiarkan aku tinggal. "Tapi aku sudah banyak hak untuk duduk dengan dia sebagai orang."“Of course you do. She thinks only to protect you. It isn’t good for you to see him when he’s not himself. But after dinner, we’ll go to chapel, you and I, and we’ll pray for him. Yes?” She tapped her hand against Alyssa’s.The girl nodded again and offered a tremulous smile at her aunt. “Thank you, Vivi. I should like that very much.”Vivienne turned to Fiona. “Of course, you are welcome to join us as well, if you’ve a mind to.”Sit in the chapel and pray for the swift recovery of Cedric Campbell? She’d sooner kiss the devil’s backside. But she’d not say as much. These two had been kind and might prove to be the only friends she’d ever have.“I should like to see the chapel,” Fiona said. What harm could it do after all? She had plenty to pray for. No need to point out that her prayers and theirs would clash like swords in God’s ear.