Page 36 of Claimed By the Heartless Highlander
Lily was not as fond of the library as Ailis was, but she was always willing to sit and listen to stories, either out on a blanket in the garden or in her rooms, or in any bright and airy nook of the castle.
Likewise, the child loved to work in the kitchens. Ailis suspected it was because she was allowed to make a mess, so long as it was a productive one, and because everyone pretended not to notice if she snuck a little bit of sugar or a spoonful of honey into her mouth at times. And afterward, there was a trip to the bathing chamber, where she could splash around with gleeful abandon.
Ailis discovered that fact the morning after their excursion to the shore, when she went to ask the cook for a soothing tea for her headache and found the little girl standing on a stool.
Lily waved. “Ailis! Mornin’!”
She hopped off the stool and darted forward to hug Ailis before looking up at her with concerned eyes. “Was Faither very cross with ye? He didnae seem to be in a good mood last night.”
Ailis managed to plaster on a smile, despite her sore eyes and aching head. “Well, he scolded me a little for nae tellin’ him where we were goin’, but it wasnae so bad. I just had to promise nae to do it again.”
Lily beamed. “Och, that’s nae bad! He does that when I’m hidin’ too!”
Ailis tried not to blush as she remembered what else had come of that discussion. “Och, well, he might have been a wee bit sterner with me. But enough of that. What are ye doin’ in the kitchens at this hour?”
“I help Diane with breakfast some days. Today, she’s lettin’ me help with makin’ the bread dough for later!” Lily waved at the table. “I ken the recipe and everythin’, and she said one of the other maids will be helpin’ if I need it.”
“Well, that’s good of her. But the maids are all busy, so why nae let me help ye, if Miss Diane agrees.”
The cook blinked in surprise. “Och… it isnae proper, but I dinnae see why ye cannae if ye wish to, Me Lady. After all, ‘tis soon to be yer kitchen.”
Ailis laughed. “Och, I’m nae such a fool as to think that.” She offered the older woman a conspiratorial smile. “Ye and I both ken that in any clan, the Lady may run the castle, but in the kitchen, the head cook is the queen.”
An honest smile spread across the cook’s face. “Thank God, but ye’re a sensible one. I didnae ken, with yer appearing so suddenly. But if that’s the case, then I’ve nay issue with ye comin’ in here whenever ye like.”
“I’m glad to hear it. What is it ye’re havin’ Lily make?”
“Dough for sweet buns for the evening meal. ‘Tis simple enough—Flour, water, salt, yeast for the risin’, and a wee bit of honey or sugar for the sweetness.”
Ailis smiled wryly. “I’m guessin’ the bairn’s chosen honey.”
Diane laughed. “Och, ye’ve realized it already? The wee thing has a true passion for honey and sweet things. If I dinnae watch her, she’ll add both to the dough, and nay one save her will be able to eat it, for it will be too sweet.”
“Aye. I have a sister who was much the same.” Ailis smiled in remembrance. “I’d best go keep an eye on her, afore the floor’s awash in flour and there’s nae a drop of honey left.”
“Aye. That’s wise. Though, to be fair, we’re all inclined to look the other way if the lass eats a bit here and there. ‘Tis the way of children, is it nae?”
Ailis could vividly remember the occasional trips to pillage fruits and other treats from the kitchens at home. She laughed. “Aye, it is.” She joined Lily at the bench, where the youngster was pouring flour into a bowl. “Here now, how many portions are ye making?”
“Two?”
“And did ye measure the flour for it?”
Lily blinked. “I think so…”
It didn’t look measured, but the amount of flour was easy enough to correct. At worst, it would be an oddly textured loaf.
“Well, it looks like enough, so what’s the next step?”
“Water!”
Together, the two of them measured out the water, salt, and a spoonful of honey. As soon as the honey was in the dough, Lily licked the spoon.
Ailis made a mock disapproving sound. “Ye didnae save any for me!” She ruffled the little girl’s hair.
Lily giggled and ducked away, then accidentally knocked the flour for kneading the dough all over the bench, the floor, and both their skirts. She yelped.
Ailis laughed. “Dinnae fret, lass. ‘Twas bound to happen. And in any case, now we dinnae have to spread it for kneading.”
