“Take a strengthening broth to the lady and some bread, freshly baked and soft. Also, a nourishing drink. She has had a long day,” he told her.
She smiled and nodded. “Will prepare everything, Me Laird. But willnae ye be taking it up to her yerself?” Her eyes were bright with expectation.
He hesitated for a moment, but then recalled how tired Lilliana had looked.
He shook his head. “Nay. She needs her lady’s maid tonight. Let her take it up and tend to her.”
Moira nodded. “Very well, Me Laird.”
Kayden nodded and left the kitchen.
He had a meeting with the head of the guard. He was just as determined as Lilliana to find this woman and get some answers. It was well past time that they had solved this issue.
Fergus was certainly a big help, not just with the work, but his presence was also calming. The work went a lot smoother when she was not frazzled, and when they returned to the castle, she was not completely fatigued.
However, she had no desire to socialize, so she opted to have supper in her rooms again. Kayden had been quite wise to entreat her to stay in her rooms the night before. She had managed to eat while Betsy drew her a bath and soaked all the exhaustion from her body, before falling into bed and sleeping soundly.
She sent Betsy to the kitchens for her meal again and smiled when the maid returned, accompanied by Rua and Bramble.
“I think they did not want you to eat alone,” Betsy said, a hint of reproof in her tone.
“Or they decided I would be easier to coerce for food out of sight.” Lilliana laughed as Bramble settled in her lap and Rua at her feet.
“Or that,” Betsy agreed.
She placed the tray on the bedside table before stepping back to arrange all the things ready for Lilliana’s bath.
Lilliana picked up a piece of fruit from the fish on her plate, took out the bones, and handed it to Rua. Cutting off the fish head, she spotted a glass of cream for the tea Betsy had brought. She poured some of it on a saucer and placed it on the chair for Bramble to eat.
Conscience clear, she sat cross-legged on the bed and began to eat the rest of her fish and potatoes. The room fell into a companionable silence, with the fire crackling merrily in the grate and a light rain falling outside.
A knock sounded at the connecting door, and Kayden poked his head inside as Lilliana called out for him to enter.
“We missed ye at dinner,” he said, his eyes trailing over her and her dinner mates. “But I see ye had yer own feast.”
Lilliana smiled. “Yes, well, the pets decided to join me.”
Kayden stepped into her room. “He seems to have taken a permanent shine to ye.”
She smiled and nodded. “I think he does like me a little.”
Kayden pointed to the foot of the bed. “May I?”
“Of course.” She pointed to the wine on her tray. “Would you like to have a glass?”
He smiled. “Well, I wouldnae say nay.”
She put her plate aside to pour the wine as Betsy discreetly left the room. Handing Kayden a glass, she held out her own. “To catching the poisoner,” she said.
He gave her a wry look before clinking his glass against hers. “To ridding the village of the sickness.”
They both drank.
Bramble climbed into Kayden’s lap, meowing as she kneaded his kilt.
Lilliana grinned. “If you’re not careful, she will ruin your kilt.”
Kayden looked down at the cat, which he had been petting absently. Picking her up, he placed her on the floor. The cat meowed in annoyance before going to lie by the fire.
