Page 90 of Once Upon A Haunted Castle
Chapter Two
Senara could havesmacked her forehead at her own daft lack of assumption. She’d known Gavin to be well bred, but she hadn’t anticipated him to be the Laird of Park.
And how she’d prattled on about stuffing vases of heather throughout the castle– the very memory of it tempted a laugh to her lips at her own foolishness.
She nipped the inside of her mouth to keep her humor suppressed. “Forgive me for anything offensive I might have said in my ignorance, laird.” There was a brief moment where her mind told her to stop, but her mouth kept going– a “Senara moment” her mother would call it. “Though truth be told, it was quite unfair of ye to withhold such information.”
His serious expression softened into something akin to mild bemusement. “I dinna think ye’d be concerned with who I was. Ye dinna strike me as one who cares for position.”
This time, Senara did not stanch her amusement. “I’d say ye know me rather well after only such a short conversation.” And truly, she was flattered to have him so quickly understand her. “Though ye are still my employer and I’d like to ensure I dinna say anything to offend.”
He held her gaze for a moment. Before he could speak, a blond lad came running down the walk. His arms and legs were far too long for his slight frame and he resembled a foal just learning to walk. He stopped abruptly in front of them with a wide smile on his comely face. “Welcome back, laird. Can I take Lindir for ye?”
The lad didn’t wait for a reply. He grasped the reins of Gavin’s horse and reached for Norbert’s. “I’ll take yers too…” His gaze settled on Senara and his speech faded away. “My lady.” The rest of his statement came out in the varying pitch of a boy not yet a man.
He swallowed and held open his hand for the reins. Dirt creased the lines of his palms and showed in black whorls where it had sunk deep into the patterns of his fingertips. Senara set the thick leather straps in his hand with a gentle note of thanks.
The boy appeared to be the same age as Geordie, if not a year or two younger, which made her immediately adore him.
“This is Norbert.” Senara stroked Norbert’s large, soft cheek. “He’s had a trying few days.”
“I’ve got an apple I think I can spare for him.” The lad winked at her, reminding her even more of her own sweet Geordie.
A trickle of sweat ran from the lad’s temple, but he didn’t bother to wipe it from his flushed face.
“Senara will be joining us for some time, Renny,” Gavin said. “As my aunt’s new maid.”
Senara nodded. “Aye, so ye may be caring for Norbert for some time.”
Renny’s smile wilted and his gaze darted to Gavin before his grin resumed once more, overly bright and forced. “Welcome to Castle of Park, Lady Senara. I’ll take fine care of yer Norbert.”
Lady Senara.
The very sound of such a formal title so far above her station tickled her ears, and she could not help but smile at this boy who made her suddenly less homesick.
“Nephew.” A woman’s voice spoke in a low, throaty tone of authority.
The woman was older and of great regal bearing. She wore an old-fashioned ornate headpiece fanning over the top of her head, which matched perfectly with the black velvet gown she wore. Gilt thread edged her sleeves and hem.
She approached them as if she rode stiffly perched atop a cloud. “I dinna think it was ye entering the keep as ye werena on yer horse. I’m eager to hear about the success of yer journey.”
Gavin’s demeanor slipped into one of dark silence.
The woman’s sharp brown gaze moved to Senara. “Is this my new maid?”
The skin on her face appeared loose as happens with age. No wrinkles showed in particular on her impassive expression, with the exception of a series of lines around her lips, as if the hard set of her mouth had somehow fractured the fragile flesh there.
“Aye, my lady.” Senara offered a quick curtsey, the way her mother had shown her. And the way her da had pretended to practice with them.
Her heart squeezed at the silly memory of him pursing his lips and speaking in a high voice before offering an exaggerated curtsey.
“Ye’re early.” Lady Edana’s flat tone made it apparent she was not pleased.
“The lass was attacked,” Gavin said. “I escorted her here to ensure she remained safe.”
Senara shot him a grateful smile and refrained from pointing out in such austere company how she could have well enough handled herself. Ma would be proud of her restraint.
Lady Edana studied Gavin for a moment and then lifted one of her brows. “Servants are no’ to be escorted like ladies.”
