“What’sthe worst that could happen?” she muttered to the still room. The pop of the fire caused her to jump. Every nerve fired as if she were a canister of black powder. With her heart fluttering and no danger present, Madison started laughing.
With every emotion spent,she stared at the door once again. Only this time, it didn’t look so imposing. She took a deep breath and let go of the post. With every ounce of strength she could muster, she took a step forward, then another till she was at the door. Confidence settled on her like a cozy blanket.
“The hunt is over.Theodore made certain of that. I’m safe.”
Madison turnedthe knob and pulled the door open. To her surprise there was no guard standing post. Her ears perked as she tried to hear any resemblance of life. She waited in the silent hallway for a moment and then she heard it. Madison froze. There was no doubt in her mind that she picked up the distinct sound of steps on a stone floor.
Without hesitating,Madison bolted for her chamber door and closed it. Her heart pounded as she rushed to the bed and launched herself into the mattress. She threw the blanket over her head and waited.
“Idiot,”she grumbled lowly to herself as every muscle tightened as the anticipation grew. Maybe she wasn’t in trouble as she thought she was. Hope sprang up from her as she pried back the blanket.
The footsteps grew louder.There was no doubt in her mind that whoever was coming, was coming for her. A light rap on the door caused her body to tense.
“Me lady?”a small female voice rang out over the door’s groaning. Madison didn’t move until the scent of honey biscuits swirled about her nose. “Are ye awake?”
“Areye sure ye have the right room?” Madison asked as she slowly peeled back the blanket to reveal herself to the servant.
"Aye,"the servant said with a warm smile. "The laird said ye might be hungry, seein' as how ye left before supper was served. I'm sorry these arenae fresh from the oven—there was a lot ofclean up in the kitchens after the feast ended, and it took me longer than I'd hoped to get everythin' together for ye."
Madison’s eyesshifted to the tray and all the food she had piled on it. If it wasn’t for the smell, it was certainly the sight of it. Madison had never seen so much food piled on to one plate before. Jumping from the bed, she moved to the small table where the servant placed the food.
“Ye’ll find stuffed hen,some cheeses and the bread. Although, if ye’d prefer the scones, I can go fetch them for ye,” the servant said. Madison shook her head as the aroma of the honey made her mouth water. Just thinking of having the servant take the food away cause Madison to reach for the tray.
“That’s quite all right,ye dinnae have to do that on me account. In fact, I’m more than pleased with what ye’ve brought. Thank ye,” Madison said as she snatched one of the soft biscuits off the plate. She sank her teeth into the soft, buttery biscuit. Honey oozed from the sides as Madison closed her eyes. She couldn’t remember the last time she has something taste so good. Instantly she was transported to her home. She wasn’t in the chambers of the castle MacLeon, but next to the hearth of her family’s bakery.
Just as soon asshe swallowed, the memory vanished. She opened her eyes and smiled back at the servant.
“These taste amazin’,”Madison mumbled as she scarfed down the rest of her biscuit before reaching for another.
“Thank ye, spent all day collectin’the honey. Luckily for ye, I’ve been cravin’ them for days. I was pleased to find the hive when I did,” the servant said as Madison offered one of the biscuits from the tray.
“Oh,thank ye. I cannae seem to stay full. Suppose that’s how it is when ye’re about ready to drop,” the servant said. Madison glanced at her a moment, confused by what she said until she noticed the servant’s belly. It looked as if the baby could come at any moment.
“Ye looklike ye could give birth any day now,” Madison said as the servant rubbed her stomach.
“Aye,been that way for a while. And I can tell ye, I’ll be ready for when it comes. I’m Eliza by the way.”
“Madison.”
“Aye,everyone kens who ye are. Ye’re the talk of the castle. Everyone has been talkin’ about ye since ye arrived,” Eliza said with a cheerful smile. All Madison could do was roll her eyes. She should have known that she would be the talk of the town. But hearing the truth was different than just believing it.
Tuckinga loose strand of hair behind her ear, Madison reached for some of the cheese. Nibbling on it like a mouse, Madison tried to brush off the fact that she was the most interesting thing to have happened to the castle in some time. But in the corner of her eye, she couldn’t help but notice Eliza’s sideways glances.
“Oh, my,”Eliza said as she started moving about. “I swear this wee one likes to kick whenever I sit too long. Poor thing hasnae got much space in there to move.”
“And ye’re still workin’?Shouldnae ye be restin’ or somethin’?”
“Aye,the laird lets me rest when I can. But for the most part, it’s the little one that’s keepin’ me up. Cannae get comfortable to save me life. But as soon as he finds someone to tend to the kitchen, the laird said he’d let me have a good rest. I think it has more to do with the fact he doesnae want me givin’ birth on his floors. But I’ll take what I can get.”
“He said that ye?”Madison asked as she nibbled on the chicken.
“Aye,he did. The man might be a bit rough about the edges and such. But deep down he’s a gentleman. He’s got his heart in the right place.”
Madison glanced to the fire,as her chest tightened. Eliza’s words settled on her like the dark settles on the night.
“He’s an honorable man,one many women would love to have for a husband,” Eliza interjected. She spoke with such admiration for her laird that it pained Madison.
“Ye speak kindly of yer laird.”
