Chapter Ten
Exhausted and inneed of privacy, Miran thanked Bodmond for seeing her safely back to camp and went to her tent. Happy to find it empty, she sought her bed and stretched out, Kai very much on her mind. Though she tried to fall asleep, her imagination got the best of her, and she tossed and turned, remembering every detail of their kisses.
“Ye are like the hardest of riddles, Captain Kai—a blight on my mind and heart,” she said aloud, sitting up.
“Where in the Almighty’s name have ye been?”
At the sound of Cadha’s shrill voice, she looked to the opening of the tent. The question surprised her, for a maid should not make demands of her mistress. But Miran had excused Cadha’s unorthodox behavior before, though she dinna like the scowl on her face.
“The captain gave me little choice but to spend the night at Colin’s cousin’s farm.”
The maid stalked into the tent, more like an offended mother than a servant. “Ye couldna have found a way to inform me? Better yet, to demand I go?”
Miran pressed her lips together, praying for patience. She dinna have to answer to anyone about where’d she been. As always, she had the good sense to look after herself. “Captain Kai dinna give me a chance to refuse.”
“Then I will speak with him directly, mistress.”
“Unnecessary,” she said forcefully, hoping to make her point. “Fetch me fresh water, linens, and soap.”
When Cadha dinna move, Miran stood. Under normal circumstances, the woman would have been immediately dismissed. But Helen had assigned her to Miran, hoping to provide her with companionship and obviously to protect her.
“I gave ye an order, Cadha.” She walked to within a foot of the taller and heavier woman. Their gazes locked, and Miran detected a hint of defiance in her eyes. Maybe even reproach.
“I will tend to yer bath shortly, milady.”
“Ye will do itnow.”
Just then, two of the maids stuck their heads inside the tent. “Milady, ye are back,” one said.
“Get out,” Miran commanded.
They both disappeared immediately. “Do ye see?” Miran said to Cadha. “That is the way a maid should respond to her mistress. Not take a combative stance as ye have.”
Cadha’s face reddened. “I am no’ a young lass. And though ye are set above me in rank, Lady Helen dinna choose me because I would shrink away from my duties if ye yelled at me. Ye are known to give in to fits of bad temperament if ye doona get yer way.”
Fury was boiling inside Miran as she stood, taking in everything Cadha said. How dare she speak to her so disrespectfully. “Ye will leave this tent and this camp immediately.”
Cadha cursed, and much to Miran’s shock, slapped her cheek.
The sting stunned her momentarily as she cupped her face and then stared at the maid with all the hatred she felt. “How dare ye!” She edged closer to Cadha, ready to—
The maid produced a switch from somewhere in her cloak. “Ye are a spoiled, lass. Willful and ungrateful. Someone must teach ye a lesson, and if yer own family willna, I will save yer young soul and do it myself!” She whipped Miran’s left arm, forcing her back several feet.
She brought the switch down over and over again, and all Miran could do was protect her face.
“Did ye give up yer innocence to the captain? Let him defile ye?”
Finally, Miran found an opening and backhanded the maid so hard it hurt her own hand. “If ye ever touch me again…” Fury blurred her eyes, so did tears.
Cadha dropped the switch, discoloration rising on her pale skin, along her jawline.
“Get out!” Miran growled.
The maid dinna move from her spot, still rubbing her jaw. “Let me make something clear, mistress. If ye speak of this to anyone or try to dismiss me from yer service, I will tell Laird Jamie and Lady Helen ye attacked me when I tried to speak reason to ye about bedding that heathen captain. And believe me, no one will be able to deny the way ye both carry on—shameless, wanton girl!”
Miran frantically tried to come up with a reply, an admonishment that would give her an advantage over Cadha. But at the moment, her arms and back hurt too much and she needed sleep. “Get out. And if ye show yer face in this tent tonight, I will kill ye.” She reached for the switch on the ground and snapped it in half, tossing it at Cadha’s feet.
The maid fled her presence, leaving Miran feeling drained of all energy and hopelessly confused.
