Page 6 of To Serve a Laird
However, she froze when she entered and saw a dozen men seated around a long table, each one with a sheet of parchment in front of him. At the top of the table sat Iain Ross. They seemed to be arguing about something, but the sound of their raised voices immediately stopped as Claire came into view.
For a moment, she was transfixed, but the Laird jumped to his feet and walked around the table towards her, his expression thunderous.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded. “Maids are not allowed in this room. Get out.”
He looked so fierce that Claire thought that he was going to strike her, but he merely stood over her and looked into her face, his eyes dark with fury.
“I-I am sorry, sir,” she stammered. “I had no idea there was anyone in here.”
She gave a swift curtsey, then turned and walked down the passage, feeling his gaze like a target on her retreating back. She wanted to turn around and see if he was watching her, but did not have the courage. Why would a Laird bother with a maid anyway?
Claire moved on down the corridor, trying every door to see if they would open, but none did. She sighed and tried one last time. If she took any longer, she would be in serious trouble, she thought, although it seemed that she was probably therealready. Lorna had abandoned her and was no doubt telling the housekeeper that she was lazy or incompetent, or both.
Claire would certainly own up to being incompetent; she had no idea what she was doing, but if she did not improve very soon she was quite sure she would soon find herself without a roof over her head and no means of feeding herself.
Maids were ten-a-penny, since cleaning a house was not exactly a skilled profession. She was not irreplaceable by any means.
Reaching out for the next door handle, Claire found to her surprise that it turned easily. However, after the last unpleasant surprise, she was unwilling to take any more chances. She knocked softly, listening for an answer, but when none came, she pushed the door open slowly and cautiously.
Then she stepped into paradise itself.
The room was enormous, and smelled of parchment, leather, and the beeswax of many candles. It was the unmistakable scent of a library, and it was the most magnificent one Claire had ever seen. Books lined the walls from floor to ceiling, except for a few feet around the magnificent marble fireplace. In front of that there was a long leather sofa and two armchairs complete with footstools and side tables.
Another table with bottles of wine and whisky stood at one end, and Claire realised that this was a special place for someone who wanted to relax and retreat into quiet and peace. Indeed, it was just the kind of place she would have chosen for herself, and she was overcome with a feeling of envious longing.
I could live here,she thought.If I moved my bed in here, I might never come out again!
She laughed aloud at the notion, then stifled it quickly. She had no wish to be discovered.
Claire moved over to see the books more clearly, and saw that they had been arranged very methodically, not only by category, but in alphabetical order within each subject.
It must have taken years to do this,she thought in wonder.
She reached out to take a book from the history section, then stopped before her hand touched the volume. This was obviously Laird Ross’s collection, and she was in enough trouble with him already without asking for more.
Then, abruptly, she realised that she had been away for some time, and she turned to go back to the kitchen. She stood at the door of the library for a moment and looked over her shoulder, trying to postpone the evil moment when she would have to leave.
I will be back soon,she promised, before turning the door handle and stepping out reluctantly into the passage. It was one of the hardest things she had ever had to do.
3
After the young woman left, Iain found himself restless and unable to concentrate. The look of startled terror in her honey-brown eyes had left him feeling a little ashamed, but at the same time he was furious with her.
The meeting of the clan elders had been called to discuss a few very important matters, but after the interruption no one seemed to be able to focus, and Iain brought an end to it quickly.
“I think we are done here today,” he said firmly. “I will think about what you have all suggested, and we can convene another meeting next month.”
The men stood up and looked at him resentfully.
“Make it the last meeting,” one of the oldest of them said. “Or you will find the matter taken out of your hands, son. Ye’ll need to pick a bride eventually.”
He gave Iain a threatening glare before leaving.
Iain stood up and ran a hand backwards through his thick dark hair. If he was absolutely honest with himself, he had to admit that the new maid both intrigued and attracted him. Why had her father wanted to sell her like a slave?
He had bought her out of pity, not because he needed any more servants. She was wearing clothes that were of good cutand quality, and her accent was refined, from a part of central England. She was truly an enigma, but whatever the mystery was, he was determined to get to the bottom of it.
Accordingly, he strode along to the housekeeper’s quarters and confronted the housekeeper. She looked startled at his sudden appearance, then stood up and curtsied, almost spilling the cup of ale she had been drinking.
