Page 36 of The Highlander's Dangerous Bride

“Aye, she’s very kind,” Laurel agreed as she worked. “There’s dresses and petticoats, a shawl, and underthings too. There’s a few more bits, shoes and suchlike tae bring up fer ye, and brushes and combs as well fer yer hair.

“She says ye can have any of her things that ye need, and that she’ll take ye tae get some new things of yer own when ye feel up tae it,” Laurel finally finished.

Raven was truly touched by Sofia’s thoughtfulness. She hoped they would become good friends. If she got to stay around, that was.

“She sounds lovely tae work fer. What’s the laird like?” she asked, deciding this was a good opportunity to get some information.

“Well, he looks quite frightnin’, and he can be harsh sometimes, but only when ’tis well deserved. He’s actually very kind and takes good care of his people,” Laurel confided, seemingly loving to chat.

“That’s how he struck me,” Raven said, adding with false casualness. “And what about Arne. What’s he like?”

Laurel actually stopped what she was doing and smiled. “Och, is he nae braw, melady? All the lassies think so. And he’s lovely too. He always used tae be laughin’ and jokin’, but I think he had his heart broken a while back by a lady he was very much in love with. Since then, he’s nae been quite as cheerful as he used tae be. He’s a lot more serious. But we all love tae see him with young Thorsten. Although he’s a fearsome warrior, and he’s fought in many battles, when he comes home, he’s a good and kind faither tae be sure.”

“Aye, I can see that,” Raven agreed. “And Thorsten looks just like him.”

“Aye, he does, except for that mop of coal black hair. That must come from his Ma, God rest her soul,” Laurel said, popping the last of the things onto the wardrobe shelves and closing the door.

Raven was floored by her comment. She had forgotten that she was supposed to be dead. It made her angry and sad to think of it, but of course, she could say nothing.

“Right, that’s all put away,” the maid announced. She turned around and beamed at Raven. “Lady Sofia also said ye might like a bath. There’s always plenty of hot water in the kitchens. ’Tis nae trouble at all tae have some brought up fer ye. The tub’s hidin’ in that cupboard over there,” she added as an afterthought, pointing to it.

“Och, Laurel, I’d love a bath,” Raven said. “Just the thought makes me feel better. It would surely be heaven tae soak around in the hot water fer a while. If ’tis nay trouble.”

“Nae at all, melady. I’ll take that tray if ye’ve finished with it, shall I? Would ye like me tae bring ye anythin’ else tae eat or drink? A nice hot toddy perhaps, or some hot milk?”

Raven laughed. “Some wine would be nice.”

“Och, wine it is! If ye’ll excuse me, melady, I’ll go and fetch it and get that bath organized fer ye.” She went out, leaving Raven alone for a while.

While Raven waited for the hot water to arrive, she thought about what Laurel had said about Arne. She had to smile at the bit about all the lassies thinking he was so braw. She could not disagree with that. He was still the most beautiful man she had ever seen.

Nevertheless, it pained her to learn how he had been changed by her leaving. She felt even more guilty about breaking his heart, for he was such a good man. But she told herself it was in the past, and she could do nothing to change that.Now, ye have tae think of Thorsten and the future.

Around three quarters of an hour later, after Laurel had helped her to wash her hair and had gone to have her supper, Raven was luxuriating in a steaming tub in front of the fire. A glass of wine stood on a small table next to her, and a clean shift, robe, and soft lambskin slippers were waiting for her as soon as she was dry.

She still had the book she had been reading at the inn. She was looking forward to getting into the big, comfy four poster bed, drawing the curtains, reading for a while, then falling asleep on a soft mattress instead of the lumpy one at the inn.

When she finally got out of the tub and dried off, she dressed in clean clothes and lay on the bed for a while, holding her book, but her mind soon drifted, and she started thinking about how close she was to Thorsten. It was thrilling! She imagined him sleeping, how he would look, with his angelic little face beneath the black hair. He was made from love, and he was perfect. The notion of sneaking into his room and looking at him while he was fast asleep occurred to her.

I’ll just take a wee peep at him, and nae wake him up.

It was late, and she figured Muriel would already be asleep too. She could sneak in and sneak out, and nobody would be any the wiser.

She took a candle and opened her door noiselessly. The hallway was quiet and dark, save for her flickering candle. She tiptoed over to Thorsten’s door and opened it. The fire was burning low in the grate, casting a warm red light over the room. No one was there but for the little figure asleep in the bed.

She crept over to it, shielding the flame with her hand so as not to wake him. He was just as angelic as she had imagined, his eyelids purple in the dim light, his face flawless, his little mouth a perfect rosebud. Her heart almost burst with love for him, and she badly wanted to hold him, maybe even lay on the bed and cuddlee him. But no, she knew she must not. Not yet. She had to go at the speed his father dictated, and she could not ask for more than that.

She blew him a kiss and whispered, “Sleep tight, me we angel. Yer ma loves ye so much.”

Out she crept, closing the door silently behind her.

“What are ye doin’?”

The voice was so close to her ear, she almost jumped out of her skin and dropped the candle. She whirled to face Arne. He was in his trews, his feet bare, his shirt untucked. He looked rumpled from sleep.

“What areyedoin’?” she whispered. “Ye nearly gave me a heart attack., creepin’ up on me like that.”

He took hold of her arm firmly and pulled her down the hall to her door.

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