Ariel lifted her chin. “I won’t apologize for my actions.”
“No one has asked that of you.”
“Thank you, milord.” She cuddled the bag in her arms and headed for her chambers. “If you’ll excuse me, I shall put Cecile where no one can harm her and see that she has milk and meat.”
Valteri stood in total confusion as he watched her leave them. He had no idea what he should do. No doubt Margaret and her husband would expect some sort of discipline for Ariel’s assault.
If she were a man, he’d know how to respond.
What did one do when women fought?
“Milord?”
He turned toward Edyth. “Aye?”
“Please don’t harm Lady Ariel for her actions. Margaret was being terribly rude to her.”
“Fear not. I have no quarrel with what she’s done. I was only trying to think of how to smooth this over with Margaret’s husband.”
Hesitating, Edyth walked toward him. “If I might speak out of turn, milord?”
“Please. Speak freely.”
“Elrich is terrified of you. Should he seek any form of redress, simply scowl and growl, and he’ll flee immediately.”
He arched a brow at her words. “You think so?”
“Know so. Truth be told I would have done so myself until now.”
That stunned him. “And why this sudden courage?”
“Lady Ariel told me you were a fair man, milord. And given her kindness and heart, I trust her judgment.” With those words spoken, she rushed off as if embarrassed by her candor.
Or maybe she was scared, after all.
It was hard for him to tell the difference.
Either way, ’twas the longest discussion he’d had with anyone outside of his horse in years.
How strange.
Stranger still was his sudden need to go after Ariel and check on her. He wanted to make sure that she was all right after her ordeal.
He found her in his room, on the floor with Cecile. In spite of her altercation, she seemed fine.
She looked up at him with that innocent gaze that stirred his body more than he liked. “Is something amiss?”
“Nay… Aye. You remembered nothing about sewing?”
Sighing wearily, Ariel sat up and shook her head. “Nothing at all.” Shepushed herself to her feet. “I swear I’ve never held a needle in my life. I didn’t even know what it was called until Edyth told me.”
How could that be? What lady wouldn’t have been taught to sew?
Even a peasant woman would have those skills.
“Yet you remember using other things?”
She nodded.
