Page 17 of A Nameless Highland Laird
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The morning came quickly, bringing a wash of light with it. Charlotte stretched, pushing the blankets back, as she worked out the stiffness in her body. She had slept better than she had anticipated for being in a new place. The bed was comfortable and warm, lulling her to lay back down and enjoy it some more, but it would not make a good impression on Laird Knox if she did.
Yawning, she pushed herself out of bed. She thought about ringing for Elizabeth, but thought better of it. Her maid would be in soon enough and with it, she would usher in a day full of people and new experiences. Charlotte would rather conserve her energy for as long as the day allowed.
Instead, she moved to the room with the tub, pulling a bottle of lotion off the shelf. Pouring some fresh water into the wash basin, Charlotte wet a cloth and ran it over her face, down her neck, and arms. She dabbed on some of the fresh smelling oil and then rubbed in the lotion on her skin. When she finished, she heard the door to her room open. It was undoubtedly Elizabeth coming in to bring her something to eat and to help her dress.
“Good mornin’, lass,” her maid greeted cheerfully.
Charlotte stepped back into the main bedroom, ready to offer Elizabeth a smile.
“Good morning. I thought ye said last night that ye would bring up a tray with ye. I assumed that would be a tray of food, nae just tea.”
She watched as Elizabeth placed the almost empty tray on one of the tables, waiting to hear her explanation.
“Aye. I thought I would be able to do that as well. But then I received word this mornin’ that the Laird expects ye to join him to break yer fasts together. The tea was the best I could do and even that I had to fight for.”
Charlotte nodded slowly. She had never been one to dine with the others first thing in the morning. She much preferred to eat in her rooms as it gave her the chance to get dressed slowly and calmly. It didn’t seem as though she would get that luxury here.
“Then we have some work to do,” she said at last, moving to sit in front of the vanity.
“Aye,” Elizabeth agreed.
Charlotte began taking her hair out of her braids, letting it fall in soft curls around her face. She always loved the way it looked down, the shining curls free, but she hardly ever wore it that way. It wasn’t the fashion to do so and she felt more pressure to look the part than to appease her own preferences.
“Just a simple braid will do, I think,” she instructed Elizabeth. “I get the feeling that they are nae a verra formal clan.”
“I have been wondering how last night went, but when I came to help ye settle in for the night, ye did nae seem as though ye wanted to talk. Is now a better time?”
Elizabeth talked as she worked her boney fingers through Charlotte’s hair, twisting and pulling it into place.
“I dinnae ken what there is to talk about. The Laird and I had dinner. I was merely tired from our journey. I assumed ye were too. I did nae want to keep us both up later than we had to be with frivolous conversation.”
“Och, lass,” Elizabeth chuckled, “ye can try that haughty talk with everyone else, but I ken ye too well. So spit it out. What is botherin’ ye?”
Charlotte sighed. She should have known better than to try to avoid anything with Elizabeth.
“I dinnae ken. It’s just, well, Laird Knox is nothing like I expected. At every turn he surprises me and I dinnae ken if it is in a good way. I have been here for less than a day and I already feel as though I will never truly ken what to expect. I will never adjust.”
“As ye say, it has only been a day. Ye need to give yerself time. Ye will ken the Laird soon enough. It is when the men stop surprising ye that things get boring and a boring life is nae what ye want.”
Elizabeth sent her a wink in the mirror, making Charlotte smile.
“Have ye seen him? Do the servants speak of him much?”
“Nay, I have nae seen him and the others seem to ken verra little about the man. It is odd seein’ as they have been workin’ for him for so long. Why do ye ask?”
“It is only that he has proven every rumor I have ever heard about him wrong. He is nae an old, ugly man with a penchant for evil deeds. He is young, like Blake. I get the feeling that he is a little unsure of himself, though he was kind to me.”
“What makes ye think that he is unsure?”
“He could nae hold a knife correctly last night. I dinnae think he ate any more than bread, half a carrot, and soup. Though, he split half of the stew into his lap. He drank more than anything. He did nae say much to me other than insisting we call each other our Christian names. It was all so verra odd. I have never met another Laird like him.”
Elizabeth finished her hair, tying the auburn strands off with a leather cord, and shrugged.
“Sounds to me like he is a mystery waitin’ to be solved. All arranged marriages are hard. Give him time, give yerself time. Ye will find yer footin’ soon. Now, let’s get ye dressed and downstairs before the mornin’ is gone.”
Charlotte stood, letting Elizabeth’s words of wisdom settle in, and waited for the old woman to bring over one of the day dresses that had gotten packed. As she stood, listening to the sound of fabric rustling, her attention went to the windows.
