Page 25 of Ruined By the Ruthless Highlander
“Thank you, my Lady.” Lilly fixed her own hair before skipping toward the door.
Marian smiled at the sight. “Do not lose your way!”
“I won’t, my Lady. I shall return before you miss me!”
Marian walked down the stairwell, her nose catching the faint scent of a sweet treat as it slowly filled the castle.
Her legs had finally gotten used to the steep and slippery steps. Still, she held out a hand, tracing the walls with her fingertips out of habit.
Her brow furrowed slightly as she stepped into the Great Hall.
Where has everyone gone?
She looked around for a moment, then she followed the sweet aroma, walking down one of the many corridors until she found herself at the kitchen door.
The warmth hit her at once.
The kitchen was large and busy, with maids moving about nonstop. Some of them carried bowls and trays from one end ofthe room to another, while the others worked at the table and stoves.
What are they preparing?
She wandered into the kitchen, looking everywhere but straight ahead. Soon, she bumped into something. Or rather, someone.
“Excuse me,” she gasped, staggering backward at the force of the collision.
Her face fell when she looked up and spotted the elderly woman she’d just bumped into. She straightened at once.
The woman was tall and large, with a deep furrow between her eyebrows and a frown that looked permanently stamped on her face. Her sharp gaze swept over Marian once, her expression unreadable.
Marian smiled politely, an apology already forming on her tongue. But the woman spoke before she could.
“It seems ye’re lost, lass,” she said, her tone flat and unimpressed.
Marian’s smile faltered.
“Me Lady!” a more familiar voice sounded from behind her, and she turned around to see a concerned Mrs. Campbell. “Here ye are, I’ve been lookin’ for ye everywhere!”
Marian managed a small smile. “Mrs. Campbell.” She walked out of the kitchen, meeting her at the entrance. “It is good to see you. Did you need me?”
“Aye.” Mrs. Campbell nodded. “I have been instructed to prepare tea.”
Marian’s eyebrow arched. “Tea? For whom?” she asked, even though she’d already guessed the answer.
“There is only one English lady within these walls, me Lady,” Mrs. Campbell said, before turning around and walking away. “Come. I have prepared the drawin’ room.”
Marian followed her quietly to the drawing room.
She hadn’t expected the Laird to grant her requests so easily. First, she had a hearty breakfast, and now she was going to have tea.
Perhaps he is kinder than I imagined.
A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she sat, watching steam rise as the housekeeper poured the tea into a porcelain cup.
“The bannocks are almost ready,” Mrs. Campbell said, setting the kettle down gently. “Scottish oatcakes. Heartier than yer English tea biscuits, and far more fillin’. Mrs. MacBride has prepared an assortment for ye to try, and she’ll have the maids bring them over at once.”
“Mrs. MacBride?” Marian’s eyebrows rose slightly. She remembered the name from her brief conversation with the Laird outside the castle. “Is she the cook in charge of the kitchen?”
“Aye.” Mrs. Campbell nodded slightly. “Ye were talkin’ earlier. Complimentin’ her cooking, I suppose?”
