Page 12 of Her Highlander's Darkest Temptation
Her sky blue eyes followed his every move, and he wondered what she was thinking. Watching the way he worked, or was there something else that held her attention? She stood so close he imagined he could feel her breath ghosting across his thigh, and the sensation made his blood stir in a way he’d not experienced in far too long.
She’d shied away from seeing him undressed, and yet, she seemed to have no concept of how she affected him now. Donall clenched his jaw against the trickle of desire that snaked through his blood, and tried to focus on finishing the task, rather than on the mysterious lass standing inches away.
He’d just wiped away the last of the dust when the door opened and Maisie bustled in. “Lydia, are ye nae done yet? We cannae spend much longer…”
The maid trailed off, eyes going wide as she beheld Donall’s position on the stool, pole in hand, with Lydia not a foot away, her hands empty and her face nearly the same scarlet color as the hearth flames. “Me laird!”
Her tone was so shocked and scandalized it was all Donall could do not to break into unexpected laughter. Instead he huffed out a sharp exhalation and dropped lightly off the stool, before handing the cleaning implement back to Lydia. “I’ve finished breakin’ me fast. Clear the tray an’ the room, so I can dae me work in peace.” He turned to Lydia. “Taenight after supper, there will be a council meeting. Ye’ll remain an’ serve at me side fer the meeting.”
“Ye - Aye, my lo-laird.” She dipped her head in agreement.
Donall turned and left the room just as Maisie hurried to Lydia’s side and began speaking in low, hushed tones.
It was unusual for him to ask anyone beyond a page to serve at the council meetings, but Lydia was an unusual lass. Perhaps, if he kept her close, she might reveal more of her secrets.
But will those secrets prove be useful tae me clan, or harm? There’s nay way tae tell, but I am certain o’ one thing - findin’ the answer tae those secrets will be a challenge, o’ the sort I’ve nae had in a long time.
CHAPTER SIX
Laird Ranald had not even left the room before Maisie descended on Lydia like a storm cloud. “What were ye thinkin’? The laird daesnae clean, nae ever! ‘Tis nae done!”
Lydia flushed, embarrassment sweeping over her at her error - an obvious mistake in hindsight. “I… I did not ask him to assist me. It was only because I fell…”
“Daesnae matter! A laird daesnae clean, just like a servant daesnae give orders or write letters—nae unless ‘tis the Steward or the Healer.” Maisie scowled at her.
I have done both—giving orders and writing letters. I used to do both things.
She dared not say such things, so she only bowed her head. “I understand. It will not happen again.”
“It shouldnae. ‘Tis the pride o’ a servant tae work well an’ support her laird. Tak’ more pride in yer work, lass, or ye’ll never keep a position. Steward Corvin daesnae abide poor service, an’ neither daes Laird Ranald.” Maisie huffed and waved for Lydia to join her in the next room. “Ye need tae work faster, an’ still maintain the standard the laird expects, dae ye ken?”
“Yes. I… I ken.” Lydia swallowed hard. “Laird Ranald has commanded me to serve him at the council meeting after supper. Would you… tell me how best to do so?”
Maisie raised an eyebrow. “An’ why would the laird be askin’ ye tae dae somethin’ like that? ‘Tis usually a squire’s duty.”
Lydia thought quickly, her hands fumbling a cleaning rag as she searched for an excuse. “I was attacked upon the road - it is why I was alone and Lord Ranald brought me to the keep. Perhaps he wishes to have me tell what I saw, and believes this to be the most acceptable solution?”
“I suppose that could be true. I did hear Corvin moanin’ yesterday that the newly hired servants he was expectin’ tae arrive were waylaid.” Maisie nodded. “Well, I’ve never served the Council, but from what the lads say, there’s little enough tae be daein’. Just stand tae one side with the food an’ drink, serve anyone who waves ye over, an’ clear away any dishes that need removin’. Otherwise… obey the orders ye’re given, an’ be quick about it.”
She paused. “Och, an’ remember… ‘tis the laird’s orders ye follow first, then Master Ewan’s, afore any other member o’ the Council.”
That seemed simple enough. Lydia nodded. “I believe I can manage.”
“Och, I should hope so, considerin’ a lad o’ eight tae ten summers can dae it.” Maisie scoffed. “But since I’m thinkin’ o’ it… ye should ken, if ye havenae gathered already, that there’s a rule for who ye serve an’ when.”
Lydia nodded. “I supposed… I assumed that Lo-Laird Ranald’s orders were always the most important. And then… Master Ewan?”
Maisie shook her head. “Master Ewan’s third or fourth fer servants. ‘Tis second fer the warriors, but we’re nae part o’ that, unless there’s an attack on the keep, an’ that’s nae happened for some seasons now. Nay, ye’ll heed Laird Ranald first, Laird MacEwen second—he’s a guest an’ Laird Ranald’s close friend—an’ Steward Corvin third. Then Master Ewan an’ Healer Evelyn, unless ye’re given special duties tae attend tae one o’ them. But ye’re nae likely tae be, since ye’re already servin’ Laird Ranald with me.”
Lydia made note of everything Maisie told her. She’d met Steward Corvin briefly the night before, at Maisie’s insistence. He was a thin but sturdy man with salt-and-pepper hair and a somewhat weary and distracted manner. However, he had been kind to her. Of course, she had no guarantee that would continueto be the case, particularly if he came to share Maisie’s obvious opinion of her skills as a maid.
Perhaps she could find a way to be taken as an assistant to the healer, Evelyn. There were different expectations for healers, in terms of work, and while she knew it would still be difficult, she might have an easier time explaining away her lack of knowledge in certain areas by saying she had been beginning her training before leaving her previous household.
For now, however, there was work of another sort to be done, and Maisie had already turned away to continue with the daily chores. Lydia stifled a sigh, picked up her bucket, and followed her. She was already exhausted, but she dared not complain.
Perhaps the Council tonight will be easier. And even if it is not, I may learn something of Laird Ranald, and of the lands and other lords nearby. Any discomfort or embarrassment is worth the trouble, if only I can find the means to escape Rory Cameron and my uncle for good!
The rest of the day passed in a haze of work, punctuated by Maisie’s frequent, often exasperated scoldings. The younger woman was never unkind, but she made it clear that she felt Lydia had been poorly trained and was poorly equipped for the tasks of her station. As the first candle-mark drifted into the second, then the third, Lydia found herself agreeing. There were so many things she needed to know, and so many things she and Elswith had never considered.
