Page 28 of The Icy Highlander's Bride
Heavy curtains embroidered with swirling vines and
covered the row of windows in her room. Lana could see the sunlight trying to peek around the edges of the curtains.
With a burst of energy, she bolted from the chair and rushed toward the windows. With an elaborate flourish, she drew the curtains to feel the sun shine down on her. She had to squint against the harsh light. Lana moved to the next window and did the same thing, repeating until she had five open windows, with the beams of sunlight visible as they hit the floor of her room.
"Much better." She smiled.
It was amazing how sunlight could instantly improve her mood. She stood by the final window for a moment, letting the sunlight melt the chill that had seized her body since Daniel had sent her out of his study.
"Me Lady?"
Lana heard a gentle knock on her door, and she turned to see a maid standing in the doorway. With her spirits lifted, she smiled wide and welcomed the servant into the room.
"I was to show ye yer rooms," the maid said, her eyes downcast. She seemed apologetic, already worried she had done something wrong.
"Daenae worry," Lana assured, rushing toward her. She noticed that the girl was about her age or perhaps a few years younger. She took the girl's hands in her own and squeezed them. "I needed a walk. It wasnae hard to find the rooms on me own."
She was pleased to see the girl look up and her with a smile.
"What is yer name?" Lana asked, still holding her hands.
"It's Genevieve," the maid replied. "But most people call me Gen," she added in a whisper.
"Then that is what I shall call ye!" Lana declared. She released the girl's hands and guided her to the center of the room. "Thank ye to whoever prepared these rooms."
Gen shook her head. "There wasnae much to prepare," she said. "The space is the same as it has been for nearly five years."
Lana remembered Daniel's comment about the rooms. He had told her she could make whatever changes she wished. It was at this moment that she realized she was in the chambers of his first wife and Skye's mother.
Lana looked at the room with fresh eyes, trying to understand the woman from the fabrics and the colors she had chosen for the place.
"Did ye ken her?" she asked.
Gen squirmed a bit, as if she wasn't sure if she should answer.
"It's alright," Lana assured her. "I daenae mind if ye talk about her."
"I was young," Gen answered. "But me maither has worked in the kitchen for most of her life. She said Lady Evelyn was one of the kindest women she had worked for."
"Aye," Lana said with a smile. "If her daughter is any indication, then she must have been warm and friendly."
Gen nodded, and Lana could tell the maid had some affection for the little girl. It made Lana curious about how the household was run. It seemed that Gen had been a part of this household herwhole life. If anyone knew something about daily life here, it was probably her.
"Can I ask ye somethin'?" Lana asked.
She walked to the chairs set up in front of the fireplace and invited Gen to take a seat. The maid looked uncertain. It was clear no one had invited her to sit down in the lady of the castle's chambers before. But Lana was pleased when she smiled and took a seat.
"Of course, Me Lady," Gen replied.
"The Laird," Lana started, but before she could finish, she saw darkness flash across the maid's face. "Ye daenae like him?" she asked.
Gen quickly shook her head, clearly worried that she had done something wrong.
"It's alright. Ye can speak freely."
"It's just… he is scary sometimes. Forgive me, Me Lady, I spoke out of turn, I…" Gen stammered out.
Lana nodded. She knew the feeling. She remembered how afraid she was of Daniel when she first met him. The scowling man with his eyepatch could be quite intimidating.
