“What are you about?”
I jerk back with a yelp, slamming my elbow against the cot.
Donag stands in the doorway, eyes dark with fury. I’ve never seen anyone look more capable of murder.
Chapter
Fifteen
“What’s this then?” Donag’s voice lashes out.
Her gaze drifts from the stacks of wool, to the strap of hide, to the open trunk.
Then it lingers on the dress.
In that moment, something in her face caves in, and it makes me break out in a cold sweat.
I scoot back from the chest, trying to look as innocent as possible. “I’m so sorry. I was looking for a…for a…”
I scan the mess I made, scrambling for an excuse.
Donag’s eyes follow mine. Understanding dawns.
“Have you need of a girdle?”
“Agirdle?” Sounds like the last thing I need. “Um…”
“Aye, a girdle,” she snaps. “For your flux? Don’t look so dumbfounded, fool. Is it time for your month-blood?”
I almost well up with relief. “Actually, yes. That. Totally. I do need something for my month-blood.”
She huffs. “I smelled it on you.”
Well, that’s horrifying.
She shoves handfuls of fabric back into the chest, then she pauses. Turns. Pins me with a hard frown.
“If there’s aught you need, simply ask. You’re more a fool than I figured if you think me able to read the minds of silly lasses.”
I open my mouth to apologize, but why should I feel bad? She dragged me here.
Fine. She wants to know what’s on my mind? “I’m freezing,” I announce. “And meanwhile, you have enough clothes in here to wear a different outfit every day for a month.”
She cuts me a sharp look. Then, with a scowl and a click of her tongue, she pulls out a shawl, two pairs of knitted socks, and an extra blanket, and tosses them at me.
Stunned, I almost thank her, but Donag pivots fast, like doing me a favor physically pained her.
“I dinnae ken how it is where you’re from,” she mutters, plucking up that gross strip of leather, “but this isnae for menstruous rags.”
I shudder.Whew.“What is it?”
“Seal skin. For the pains in my back.” She rolls it up and tucks it away. “But it does no good for the monthly pain. You treat that another way.”
“I thought cramps were supposed to remind me of Eve,” I grumble.
She snorts a laugh. “Women suffer enough.”
The words startle me. Not at all what I expected from her.
