Page 39 of Her Highlander's Darkest Temptation
That too was fair. “Lydia Wycliffe. My parents were the late Lai-Lord Richard Wycliffe and his wife Anne. They were killed in an accident when I was a child, and since then, I have been in the care of my uncle Cedric. He never wanted me - only the title and the lands my parents once held, lands he will inherit if and when I am married to another noble.”
“Ye’re a barterin’ chip an’ an obstacle all at once then. I’ve heard stories o’ such things. Didnae think they were true.”
“They are, and far more common than one might think, among English nobility, at least.” Lydia couldn’t help the note of bitterness in her voice. “Perhaps it is not so in the Highlands, I would not know. But that is - was - the truth of my situation until a little over a month ago.”
“An’ what then?”
“My uncle betrothed me to Laird Rory Cameron. The thought terrified me. I have heard rumors of Laird Cameron, you see - Wycliffe is close to the Lowland border, and we hear manythings. Including that Rory Cameron’s last betrothed died or disappeared under… unlikely circumstances.”
“Ye mean that he had her murdered when he discovered she fancied another clansman, an’ that she stood tae inherit nay lands from her faither.” Maisie snorted. “We’ve heard the story too, an’ from what I ken o’ the blackguard, ‘twas true.”
Lydia swallowed, feeling ice in her gut. “Yes. What I learned terrified me. That is why I fled, why I disguised myself as a servant and joined a caravan heading across the Highlands. Anything seemed better than being wed to such a man.”
“He’s a monster, more like.” Maisie shook her head. “I’d run too. But why come here?”
“It was not intentional. I came to the Highlands because I though my uncle would believe it to be the most unlikely move on my part. He probably would have thought I would head somewhere, and probably not as a servant. We were attacked by Cameron soldiers, and Laird Ranald rescued me, as I told you before.”
“But why stay? An’ why nae tell me laird the truth?” Maisie’s glance went to the dress. “Or did he buy ye that dress because he kens who ye are, an’ he’s both hidin’ and being soft on ye?”
“Nay. I don’t know why he bought me the dress, but I have not told him the truth. And I cannot. Please…” Lydia held out a hand as Maisie started to rise from her bed, suspicion in her eyes. “Think what his position would be, if I did tell him. He wouldeither be forced to give me to Laird Cameron, to the very fate I have tried to escape, or he would be forced to turn me out. And if he did neither of those things, then he would be responsible for embroiling his clan in a feud, perhaps a war…”
Maisie paled, her jaw clenching as she considered. Then she huffed out an exasperated sigh and settled back onto the mattress. “An’ it wouldnae sit well with me laird tae give ye tae Laird Cameron or tae turn ye out. He kens the rumors o’ Laird Cameron’s conduct as well as any other, mayhap better than most. He also kens that the roads arenae safe fer a lass on her own - an’ nae even with companions, given yer fate. So that wouldnae sit well with him either.”
“Which means knowing my identity would only bring him strife.” Lydia swallowed a lump of regret. “That is why I only intended to stay long enough to heal from my fall, rest, earn some coin and gather some needed supplies - as well as the skills to properly serve as a maid - before leaving to find a position elsewhere.”
Silence fell between them. Lydia waited as calmly as she could for Maisie’s decision. She wanted to plead for her safety further, but there was nothing else she could say without sounding selfish. If Maisie decided to tell Steward Corvin and Laird Ranald the truth, she would accept her fate without protest. It was the least she could do after all her deceptions.
Finally Maisie sighed. “Truth, daesnae sit right with me either, sendin’ ye away intae Cameron’s clutches or the bandits on the road. An’ I dinnae want Laird Ranald tae face more trouble thanhe must. Mind, if ye hadnae made a proper effort tae learn these past few days, ‘twould be a different tune I’d be singin’ now.”
Lydia swallowed hard, hope flaring in her heart. “You mean…?”
“Och, I’ll keep yer secret, fer so long as ‘tis a secret, an’ so long as ye’re here… an’ so long as I’m certain sure ye mean nay harm tae Laird Ranald or anyone else here.” Maisie gave her a grim smile. “’Tis only common sense tae realize ye’re nae here tae kill me laird - ye’ve had too many chances tae fail, unless ye were as bad at that as ye are at cleanin’. An beyond that... the bruises an’ the like were real enough.”
“Thank you, Maisie.” Lydia smiled. “I shall do my best to deserve your trust.”
“Hmph.” Maisie sniffed. “I wouldnae expect aught else.”
The maid hesitated for several moments, then she spoke in a different tone. “Och, if ye’re a lady, ye ken about daein’ things tae look pretty, aye?”
Lydia blinked. “I know some things. Why?”
“Ewan asked me tae take a walk tae the village with him, or out tae the loch, after he returns. He said…” To Lydia’s surprise, the maid blushed. “...he said he fancies me!”
“Oh, is he planning on courting you then?” Lydia smiled in delight.
Maisie’s blush deepened. “Och, we havenae discussed so much as that yet. But, a walk in the moonlight…”
“Oh, that is wonderful. I shall be happy to help you. If you wish to borrow the dress…”
Maisie shook her head. “Nay, nae that. ‘Twould be far too noticeable. I’ve a dress I wear fer Feastin’ Days…”
“Well, let me see, and I shall help. I believe that, between the two of us, we can render Master Ewan speechless at the sight of you.” Lydia grinned and joined Maisie at her clothing chest, more lighthearted than she’d been for a long time.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The morning following her revelation to Maisie, Lydia rose early. Her sleep had been restless, even if she’d found some measure of peace after having gained her fellow servant as an ally in keeping her secrets. While telling Maisie had been a relief in many ways, it had also reminded her of all those she was still deceiving. Laird Ranald among them.
The man who had bought her the beautiful blue dress had no idea who he was giving such gifts to. And likely, no idea what such a gift would have meant, if she had still been living her life as a young lady. Dresses such as that would have been courting gifts in her old life - but she dared not believe it was anything more than a kind impulse now.
