She shivered, dismissing the images with a derisive shake of her head, and turned to examine the dress on the bed as she thought of joining him for dinner.
The garment looked well-kept, and the fabric appeared almost brand new. It had clearly been stored somewhere carefully, protected from rodents and damp. The material was a fine, deep blue, which Leah had rarely seen outside high society.
She ran a hand along the folds of the skirt, feeling the quality of the cut, just as a knock on the door startled her.
“M’Lady?”
She dropped the fabric and walked across the room to open the door, surprised to find three servants in the corridor carrying a small copper bath, which they carried inside the room.
Several more servants stood behind them, holding jugs of steaming hot water, which they brought into the room and emptied into the bath before retreating.
“Do ye need help with yer bath, M’Lady?” the servant girl asked her.
Leah looked at the inviting tub of steaming water. The idea of some quiet solitude was hugely appealing, and she turned to the girl, smiling.
“No. Thank you, I shall manage things myself. Thank you for the clothes, too. I shall call you if I should need anything further.”
The girl bobbed a curtsy and retreated.
Once she was alone, Leah undressed swiftly, dipping a foot into the bath and groaning as she felt the heat envelop her frozen toes. The tub had been filled to just the perfect height, and although she could not stretch out fully, it was instantly comfortable, and the water was warm and soothing.
After luxuriating in the water for as long as she could and giving herself a thorough wash, she could hear the faint clinking of crockery and cutlery being carried to another room from the floors below. She knew that dinner would be served shortly.
She hurriedly dressed, noting that the gown’s fit was a little too wide for her slim figure but comfortable nonetheless. She was relieved when she left the room to find the same servant girl waiting outside.
“I’ll show ye the way, Lady Leah. Are ye feelin’ refreshed?”
“I am. Thank you for your help. The bath was most welcome.”
They made their way down the corridor in silence for a short while, passing endless torches on every wall. Even in London in her own home, there were often places in the house that were always rather dark and unpleasant to walk through alone.
Leah felt safe here, she realized, as though she would be well looked after.
The young girl was silent for so long that it felt a little oppressive, and Leah’s curiosity got the better of her.
“Can you tell me whose gown I am wearing?” she asked.
The girl glanced behind them as they walked, as though checking to see if they might be overhead, but then she leaned in closer and whispered, “‘Tis the old mistress’s gown, M’Lady. Many ofthem had been let out, but this was one of those she wore after her weddin’. Does it fit ye alright?”
“Yes. Thank you. It’s quite beautiful. I am most grateful.”
Leah wasn’t sure if she felt comfortable knowing she wore a gown that once belonged to MacWatt’s wife. The girl had said that the gowns had been let out. Did that mean that Lady MacWatt had been with child?
Then where is the baby?Whatever happened here?
She was still pondering the idea when they abruptly came upon a large doorway.
The young girl bobbed another curtsy. “Laird MacWatt will join ye shortly,” she said quickly and turned back up the corridor, leaving Leah alone.
Gently, Leah pushed the door open to find herself in a large dining hall. The table in the center had been laid out with a variety of cold meats and bread, and she suddenly realized just how hungry she was after the long journey.
A manservant was standing at the edge of the room. He bowed as she entered and indicated the chair at the end of the long table.
She took a seat, wondering where her host must be.
Yet again, there was a large fireplace in the room, and she felt warm and content as the servants came forward to fill her plate.
She did not feel comfortable beginning without MacWatt, however, so she waited awkwardly in silence, the servants hovering nearby until she heard thudding footsteps approaching.
