Page 38 of Ruined By the Ruthless Highlander
She turned back toward the bed, her feet padding softly across the floor.
Suddenly, the doors to her chamber opened, and chambermaids walked in without bothering to knock.
“Good mornin’, me Lady,” the older one greeted quickly, dipping into a brief curtsy.
Marian’s eyebrows drew together slightly. It was her fourth day in the castle, and she’d already seen most of the servants. But the two chambermaids looked completely unfamiliar.
Perhaps they are new.
She blinked. “Good morning. I do not think I called for…” she trailed off as they walked to the bed, stripping off the blankets as though they couldn’t hear her speak.
The younger maid walked past her to the chest by the wall and pulled out the spare wool coverlet that Mrs. Campbell had provided upon her arrival.
“What is going on?” Marian stepped forward, her face stern. “I demand an explanation.”
“I beg yer pardon, me Lady,” the maid said, keeping her eyes down even though her voice was devoid of emotion. “We have strict instructions to collect the extra beddin’.”
“Extra?” Marian arched an eyebrow, pointing at the blankets on the bed. “Those blankets are all in use.”
The maid nodded. “Aye,” she uttered simply as she started to fold them up. “But they’re needed elsewhere.”
“Elsewhere?” Marian scoffed. She drew a deep breath, then stepped closer to the maids. “You must have the wrong instructions. Perhaps you’d want to ask Mrs. Campbell. Surely, there are other blankets in this large castle.”
“I’m… sorry, me Lady,” the younger chambermaid said, her voice shaking slightly. “’Tis the Laird’s order.”
Marian stilled.
Surely, I have misheard.
The door opened just as she opened her mouth to speak again, and Lilly stepped in, holding a small pile of wood in her hands. She froze mid-step, her eyes widening as she took in the scene before her.
“My Lady?” Her voice was uncertain as she stepped forward, shifting the pieces of wood in her arms. “What is going on?”
Marian exhaled sharply. Her gaze darted from the young chambermaid to her older partner, and she nodded, more to herself than to anyone. “They’re here to take my blankets.”
Lilly’s brow furrowed in confusion. She set the firewood down by the hearth and straightened, dusting her hands on a rag.
“There must be a mistake,” she protested, her tone more confident now as she addressed the younger chambermaid. “Her Ladyship needs those blankets. The hearth barely keeps the room warm through the night.”
“The Laird said that English ladies preferred the cold,” the chambermaid replied.
Lilly gasped in disbelief.
A small smile touched Marian's lips, but it did not quite reach her eyes.
Of course, he did.
“What!” Lilly’s voice rose slightly. “The Laird cannot possibly say that. It makes no sense?—”
“Lilly.” Marian stepped forward, touching her shoulder lightly and shaking her head.
Lilly paused, swallowing her words. She exhaled sharply, folding her arms as she stood beside her mistress, her face reddening as she watched the chambermaids fold away the remaining blankets.
Soon, they were done.
The older chambermaid stood facing Marian, her mouth opening as though she had something to say.
“Well…” Marian gave her a tight smile. “Do you need anything else?”
