Page 38 of Her Highlander's Darkest Temptation
Fortunately, Evelyn had foreseen the danger of sunburning and given her a Tormentil salve for the redness and itch, as well as a mild pain-relieving draft to ease the worst of it. A cool-water bath had soothed her aches still further, and left her feeling refreshed.
Soon, according to the healer, her skin would no longer burn so badly.
Soon, I will no longer look so much like myself. My fingers are getting stronger, my nails short, and my hair is becoming wavy with being braided back so often. Working with Evelyn will soon give me calluses enough to be a believable servant, and knowledge enough to be a healer.
Soon, she would be ready to depart Ranald Keep. Lydia sighed to herself as she opened the door to the shared quarters. The departure was necessary - she was far too close to Cameron lands for her own peace of mind - but she found herself reluctant to consider it.
Maisie pounced on her. “What are ye sighin’ fer? Look!” The maid all but dragged her over to the bed. “’Tis a package fer ye.”
Lydia eyed the package with interest. It took a few moments before she could identify the sender. “It is from the seamstress. My new clothing, I believe.”
“Och, finally!” Maisie grinned. “I ken ye were fretting about havin’ tae borrow from the stores, an’ with nay one built like ye.” She nudged Lydia gently. “Open it then!”
Lydia carefully undid the twine that bound the packaging, then unfolded the heavy, waxed cloth around the bundle to prevent it from getting dirty or wet. A pile of fabric, more than she’d expected, tumbled out onto the bed and met her eyes.
Skirts, a new chemise, a new, soft-made corset made to her measure, stockings, blouses, a few dresses for everyday work or formal service, such as for a feast day, and even a new apron- once, Lydia would have scarcely considered it worthy of note, but now she was painfully aware of what a bounty the bundle represented.
No more borrowing other women’s shifts. No more worrying with every slight mishap, slip, spill or grass stain that she was ruining someone else’s clothing. No more feeling like a helpless beggar. No more…
“Wha’ is that?” The low, startled tone of Maisie’s voice dragged her attention to the clothing pile. She blinked, wondering what could have caused Maisie to sound so agitated. Then she saw it.
It was the sky blue dress with the elegant stitching that she’d so admired in the shop - the one the seamstress had been lamenting that no lass had bought. She had not even realized Laird Ranald had noticed her admiring it, and certainly hadn’t guessed that he’d purchased it.
Why would he purchase this for me? I’m only a serving maid, so far as he knows, and not a very skilled one. This dress…
It was a dress for a lady. Or a dress a well-off village girl might purchase for her wedding, then place in a hope chest for her daughters, to become an heirloom of the family, worn only for the most special of occasions.
“That dress…” Maisie was staring at it, eyes wide.
“It is a very lovely dress. I had no idea Laird Ranald had purchased it for me. I will have to thank him… but whatever is the matter? It is very beautiful, but it is a dress…”
Lydia froze as Maisie’s expression darkened, eyes narrowing. She was suddenly, acutely aware that she had just made a mistake - a dangerous one, and all the worse because she had no idea what it had been.
“That’s nae just a dress. An’ ye’re nae a maid.” Maisie’s voice was low, anger crackling through it.
“I do not understand. What… why would you say that?”
“There’s nae a maid in this keep who hasnae been down tae Seamstress Hailey’s an’ seen that dress. Seen and sighed over it, because we all ken that twould be a good portion o’ our yearly wages - or several years wages - tae purchase it. I’d have tae spend half me bride price fer somethin’ so fine. Every maid dreams o’ ownin’ one dress that elegant, or maybe bein’ given somethin’ like it fer our weddings, but ye…”
Maisie shook her head, her body stiff with anger and indignation. “Ye look at it… an’ ‘tis just a dress tae ye. Pretty, but naething more. Nae something ye might slave fer fer years tae buy, or yearn tae wear on yer wedding day.”
Maisie stalked forward, eyes sharp with fury and grim determination. “I’ve wondered about ye afore, ye ken… ye’re so unsuited tae bein’ a maid, ye dinnae ken how tae dae the simplest of tasks, an’ ye’re so soft - even a lass just come taeservice is stronger an’ more skilled than ye in basic chores. An’ yet, ye can read an’ write - only healers an’ high-placed servants learn that.”
She took a deep breath. “I ignored it, because ye said ye’d been a lady’s maid, an’ cause ye’re English, an’ I dinnae ken aught about English lairds, an’ I care less. But… ye didnae ken how strange it was, tae be promoted tae the laird’s personal service so soon after arrivin’, even with yer strange skills. An’ then again, tae Evelyn’s apprentice… any maid would be dancin’ a jig tae gain such prestige an’ such duties, but ye scarce seem tae care. In fact, ye almost looked, when Evelyn offered ye the position, as if ye’d rather be rakin’ the midden.”
Maisie shook her head again. “Now I ken fer certain, ye’re nay maid o’ any sort. Ye’re a spy, sent by me laird’s enemies. An’ I’ll nae have it.”
She turned and started for the door. Desperate, Lydia darted forward and caught the other woman’s arm. “Wait! Please.”
Maisie turned, ready to jerk her arm free, and Lydia spoke quickly. “You are right, I am not a maid. But please… please, allow me to explain. I am no spy. I am trying to escape.”
Maisie blinked, her expression disbelieving, but she stopped trying to pull away. Instead, she seemed to be studying Lydia’s face. After a long moment, she yanked her arm free and stalked back to the bed, a scowl on her face as she crossed her arms. “Explain. An’ be warned: If I dinnae believe ye, then I’m bindin’ ye an’ callin’ fer the castle guard.”
“That is… fair.” Lydia nodded, and sat on the bed opposite Maisie.
“The truth is I never was a maid. What I am, in truth, is desperate. You see…”
“Ye might start by tellin’ me yer real name, afore the rest o’ it.”
