Page 73 of Once upon a Summer Night

“I did.”

“But you’re not interested in him.”

“I am too! A lot!”

Gwen’s eyes narrowed. “Methinks the lady doth protest too much. Yet here you are, not worrying that you can’t get in touch with him to at least explain your absence.”

Ellie put her nose in the air. “I’m certain Colin took care of it. That’s his job.”

Gwen looked at her silently for a moment. “Oh, dear. You can’t let go of Colin.”

Ellie turned back to the view, which was infinitely more calming than Gwen. “There’s nothing to let go of. In fact, I doubt I’ll ever see him again. He’s probably already back home, meeting with clients and doing whatever it is he does in the office all day.”

“What a shame, because if he could see you now, he’d be mad not to fall in instalust with you.”

Ellie started to turn, but Gwen was already standing next to her. “I don’t think I want to know what you mean by that,” Ellie muttered.

“Oh, hush. You look like a medieval queen in theseclothes, and for some unknown reason, since we’ve been guests—”

“Students.”

“—whateverhere, you carry yourself with all the grace in the world. I haven’t seen you trip once!” She counted on her fingers. “You also haven’t fallen out of bed, walked into a wall, knocked anyone over, choked on air—”

“I get it, thanks.”

“Right. And while you’re over there being all medieval and everything, here I am, looking like a hoyden—”

“A hoyden?” Ellie raised a brow.

Gwen flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Yes, ahoyden. My hair is frizzed out, I’m having serious caffeine withdrawals, and I’m ready to jump out the nearest window just to do something other than drag a needle through some cloth. I’m going out of my mind here! Good God, Ellie, I have no makeup on! And I’m in amovie? This just doesn’t make any sense!”

Ellie studied Gwen for a moment. True, the calm, quiet life at the school—one where she wasn’t expected to do much except slow down and enjoy life for a little while—did sit well with Ellie. She loved how the students worked hard at perfecting their roles. “People watching” took on a whole new meaning—the warriors and guardsmen were outside training almost every day, the blacksmith was constantly creating things in his little shop, and the kitchens were bustling with activity.

Claire was kind enough to take them under her wing and gently guide them in the ways of the castle—mainly, that they were to sit inside and sew pillows. She, as the acting lady of the house, had dinners to plan and a household to run, which looked like it took up most of her day.

But they, as guests, were to do nothing except relax and join the family for meals.

Hers was a small part, but Ellie was fine with that. Andwhile Ellie loved fading into the background, Gwen did not—and she’d been looking for something else to do since their arrival. Laird MacWilliam had already escorted her out of the lists, away from the stables, and far away from the blacksmith. She’d also been warned to stay away from the tanner, even though he was supposedly in a village down the way.

“Perhaps we should look for Claire and ask her for something else to do?” Ellie suggested. “She did invite us to take lunch outside with her today. The rain looks like it’s slowing to a drizzle instead of a downpour. Let’s see if she’s around. Maybe there’s another, more exciting part we could jump on. At least for a little while, until Reilly gets here.”

“I’m giving him until tonight to show up. If he doesn’t, then we leave tomorrow morning, first thing. Okay?”

“Okay.”

Gwen, looking frazzled and on edge, nodded quickly and threw open the door, nearly knocking herself over with its weight.

“Oh!” A woman stood in the hallway and a string of apologetic-sounding Gaelic burst forth from her lips.

Gwen threw up her hands. “Why can I not understand a word of this language?”

“Oh! I speak a bit of your tongue,” the woman said with a smile. “Lady MacWilliam has been teaching me for years. I’m Keera, the cook.”

Clearly surprised, Gwen stared at her, nonplussed. “Oh.”

Ellie nudged her friend, then said, “I’m Eleanor, but you can call me Ellie. And this is Gwendolyn, but she goes by Gwen.”

Keera continued, “The laird’s brother isn’t in residence at the moment. But perhaps you’ve met him in your travels. Aidan MacWilliam? He has a lovely wife, Lady Emmaline.”

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