Page 46 of The Noble Servant

When the meal was nearly over, Magdalen turned to Steffan. “Where will you sleep?”

“On the top floor with the other menservants.”

“I will help you find your thing you’ve been looking for. But I think we should wait until another day.”

“You might be right.”

“You will not try to find it without my help, will you?”

He turned his half-closed eyes on her. He opened his mouth just as a man rose behind him.

“Hey, you, shepherd boy.” The man nudged his shoulder.

Steffan looked down, probably trying to look submissive.

“The work’s not finished. I need you to fetch some more water and wood.”

Steffan stood and went with the man. She wanted to intervene, to tell the man that Steffan was injured, that he needed rest, but she did not think her interference would be welcomed by either the overbearing man or Steffan.

Was this how Avelina had felt before she came to Thornbeck, that because she was a servant, no one would listen to her or care about her opinion? Avelina had been a servant most of her life, and she had not been inclined to stand up for herself. Magdalen had actually scolded her for not demanding respect from other people, especially Lord Thornbeck.

Her cheeks heated at the thought. How silly and unworldly she had been then. She had not realized how difficult it was to be a servant. Even when Magdalen was not a servant, knowing she had the right to demand respect—especially from her mother—and actually doing so were two different things.

Katrin touched her arm. “Do you think Steffan—Stoffel—is well enough to work?”

“I don’t know.”

Katrin sighed. “Now I’ll have to find a new boy to look at. There are precious few handsome ones. The blacksmith’s apprentice is pleasant to look at, but he’s bedded half the maidservants.” Katrin wrinkled her nose. “A man who is fair of face is usually empty of conscience. That’s what my mother says. But that is not a lovely thought, is it?”

Magdalen frowned and shook her head. “Why did you say you’d have to find a new boy to look at? Stef—Stoffel will be around more than before.”

“I assumed you and he were sweethearts now.”

“Nein, not at all.”

“Oh, good.” Katrin did not seem fully convinced as she ate her food.

Magdalen impulsively squeezed Katrin’s arm. “Thank you for being my friend, and Stoffel’s friend too. Please watch out for him as much as you can when he’s in the kitchen.”

Katrin hugged her back. “I can tell you are worrying, but all will be well.” She lowered her voice. “Your shepherd will be well.”

Magdalen shook her head. “Katrin ...”

“Never mind. I shall see you in the morning.”

Katrin went back to the kitchen to finish her work for the day and Magdalen went back upstairs to see if Agnes needed her.

Magdalen reached the corridor that led to Agnes’s door. Should she knock? Would Agnes be in the Great Hall having her evening meal? If she wasn’t, she might be vexed with Magdalen for disturbing her. Agnes was not accustomed to having servants invading her room constantly as Magdalen had been.

“There you are.” Agnes approached her. “Come to my chamber for a moment. I need you.”

“Yes, Lady Magdalen.” She plastered a smile on her face and followed Agnes to her room.

“I need your help unbuttoning my gown.” Agnes presented her back to Magdalen.

Magdalen began the task, pushing Agnes’s hair aside to reach the buttons that started at the base of her neck and went all the way down her back. She could not help wondering who had buttoned them for her but refrained from asking.

Agnes stepped out of her gown. Dressed in her underdress, she said, “Take the gown and hang it over there. In the morning I will want you to bring me my breakfast. Then I will instruct you as to your duties for the rest of the day. Now I wish you to fetch me a fresh pitcher of water, then leave immediately. I will not need you for the rest of the night.”