Emily gave the maid a tenuous smile. “Thank you.”
“I will take Tevin to Lach’s chamber,” Isobell said. “See he is cleaned up and fed. He can stay there for the night, allowing you some privacy.”
“Would you like that, Tev?” Emily bit her lip, worried about the child. Though he seemed to be enjoying the adventure.
“Sure.” His eyes lit, and he nodded with enthusiasm.
“Okay. Off with you then,” Emily said. “I’ll see you later, Isobell?”
“Aye. I will return to assist you in dressing for the eve’n meal.” Isobell ushered a yawning Tevin from the room.
The maid helped Emily undress and climb into the tub. The inviting water was a perfect temperature and, with herbs floating on the surface, smelled like the summer gardens atFoxgloves, the garden center at home in Anderson Creek. How she missed home.
She dismissed the wistful thought and concentrated on the here and now. She sank into the soothing water and sighed. The soap the maid handed her gave off a pleasant lavender scent and was gentler to the skin than Emily would have imagined.
“I will wash your hair if you are ready,” the maid said after a short time.
Enjoying the pampering, Emily agreed. “Thank you.”
The young woman gathered the damp strands to the back of Emily’s head and used a dipper ladle to wet the mass from a bucket. “Yer hair is such a rich brown color, and so verra fine to the touch. Yer new husband will be well pleased.”
Emily stiffened. “I’m not getting married.”
Why were they all pushing so hard for her to marry? What was in it for them?
“Please forgive me. I did not mean to overstep. I had heard ye were to wed the braw Gregor on the morrow. I suppose ’twas naught but idle gossip amongst the kitchen lasses.”
Emily certainly hoped that was the case. “I have not consented to a marriage.”
“’Tis a shame. There are many who would wish to be in yer place.”
Let them have him.
Why didn’t that thought sit well? Why did it make her stomach clench? Emily pursed her lips, annoyed with her contrary feelings.
The maid lathered soap in Emily’s hair, massaged the scalp, and poured a bucket of warm water over her head to rinse away the suds. “I should collect more drying cloths,” the maid said when finished. “Can you manage on yer own for a wee while?”
“I’ll be fine. Go ahead. I’ll soak for a bit and relax.”And forget about all this talk of marriage. Forget about the handsome Gregor.
“Verra good.” The maid left the heavy oak door cracked.
The draw from the opening dragged a warm summer breeze from the gaping window. The draft raised gooseflesh on Emily’s exposed skin, making her shiver although she wasn’t cold. She leaned back against the rim of the tub and let the warm water sooth stiff muscles. Her mind whirred. How was she to get out of this mess?
After a while, she became weightless as if she were about to doze off.
Tee teehee hee. Tee teehee hee. Tee teehee hee.
A soft buzzing and a tinkling giggle jerked her eyes wide open. Her pulse raced. “Who’s there?”
A dragonfly hovered in front of her face.
No. No way!The bug couldn’t—but it did. The diminutive creature had a beautiful, tiny human face and tiny human hands and tiny human feet. Gossamer lavender wings edged with deep purple kept her aloft.
Tee teehee hee.
The pixie blew dust into Emily’s face, causing her to gasp and suck the particles deep into her lungs. She choked and coughed. The tiny creature darted away in a frantic flutter of wings and flew out the window, leaving behind a befogged Emily with only one thought on her mind as she eased back against the rim of the tub—Gregor.
* * *
