She had intended on eating, had even sat down with the others to eat. But then Cook had approached to murmur that the spice merchant had arrived. Nodding, Iliana had ignored her husband’s curious expression and quickly left the table, headed for the kitchens, where the man was waiting. He was a wiry little man with a wide, cheerful smile and a pleasant demeanor. Iliana had quite enjoyed dealing with him, despite the speed with which she had felt forced to do so.

In the twenty short minutes that they had haggled, he had managed to spit out more gossip than Iliana would have believed possible. From what he had said, nearly everyone in Scotland was feuding with everyone else. She was interested to learn that the Dunbars were currently feuding with the Lindsays, Campbells, MacGregors, and Colquhouns. She now knew her enemies. But that was all she had been able to keep straight. There were so many clans feuding with each other, and often for such silly reasons, she hardly believed it. It seemed that refusing a second serving while dining at another keep could cause a feud. Hearing that, Iliana had immediately rerun the evening before in her mind, wondering if she had said or done anything while dining at the McInnes keep that might have been taken as an insult. She did not think she had, but supposed she would find out if the clan came charging across the land. Other than that, there was nothing she could do about it now.

Iliana had also learned the cloth merchant’s schedule from the man, and elicited a promise that he would mention to the other fellow that there was commerce to be done at Dunbar.

Cook had been happy as a pig in mud by the time they were done with the man. It was obvious that he was now excited at the idea of preparing more interesting fare. He had chatted away excitedly as he set out some food for the merchant to eat as she had returned to the great hall. Unfortunately, she had been gone long enough that everyone was rising to make their way back to work when she returned. Iliana had hesitated, considered finishing her meal, then shrugged and went back through the kitchen to the gardens. She had not been all that hungry anyway.