Robin stopped, turning to see the castle steward hurrying toward her. She could not fathom how a man so short and round could move so quickly without even breaking into a run.
It had taken her a moment to realize the steward was speaking to her. Without Robin’s approval, Lind had gone ahead and dismissed her as a lady’s maid, asking that she be assigned to a different task outside the castle.
“Yes, Steward Daniel?” she said as the short man caught up to her.
“You can’t go out in that,” he huffed.
“I’m sorry?” She looked down. She was wearing a simple brown dress that had previously belonged to Lind along with a floor-length cape to protect against the cold.
“The meadow is freezing. You’ll be out there for hours. That is not at all suitable.”
Robin lifted the cape, rubbing the fabric between her thumb and forefinger. “It’s woolen.”
“It’s threadbare.”
She looked down at the patched cloak, her usually quick-witted mind coming up short. “I’m fine...”
“Run along to the kitchen before you head out. The far storeroom has plenty of spare supplies. Find yourself a thick cloak that can hold up to an Iseldis silverreign.”
“It’s really not necessary,” Robin protested. She had often assisted her parents in ensuring that their small staff were well cared for, but she had never been on the receiving end of such a kindness. Nor had she thought to find such thoughtfulness in the larger structure of the Iseldis castle.
“It really is. You’re wasting my time. Go.” The steward turned away and quickly crossed the room. “I don’t want a frozen goose girl on my hands tomorrow,” he said over his shoulder without so much as turning his head.
“Thank you, sir,” she called after him.
Chapter 6
“She’s just not working out,” eight-year-old Erich complained a few days after Lady Lockwood’s arrival. “Do we have to keep her?”
Ian watched his mother pinch her lips. He wished he were young enough to complain like Erich, but his mother would do far more than pinch her lips if he attempted any such thing.
“I’m Meena!” Sitting on a cushion in a windowed nook of the family salon, Little Meena was playing with a carved doll in each hand. “I’m Lady Lockwood,” she continued in a high voice, “and I want more beautiful dresses. Do you have more beautiful dresses I can wear?” Meena’s voice mimicked their new guest as she pretended the two dolls were having a conversation. “No! You can’t take my dresses, you’re too big!”
“She just lost her family, and she’s in an entirely new home.” Queen Cara spoke over her innocent daughter’s playtime antics, directing her words to Erich. “She just needs some time to feel safe and comfortable. I’m sure you’ll like her more eventually.”
Ian noted the diplomatic way his mother chose the word “eventually” rather than “soon.”
“She doesn’t seem to be missing her parents or her old life, though, does she?” Onric muttered at Ian’s side.
Ian turned his snicker into a cough.
“What was that?” Queen Cara glared at Onric, not sparing Ian who was seated next to him.
“I was just saying that I am going to try better to understand what she’s going through,” Onric muttered, unable to make eye contact with his mother.
Queen Cara nodded, though the glare did not leave her face. She glanced at Ian, extending her displeasure to him before returning her focus to Erich.
Ian sighed inaudibly. He felt her glare was a little unfair, as he had done nothing himself; it was all Onric doing the taunting. Typical.
“Does she have to join us for the Silverfest gifting?” asked ten-year-old Aden. “I don’t want it to take too long since I plan on reading whatever book I get right away.”
“Wouldn’t it be quite unkind to exclude her?” Queen Cara responded.
“But that’s special family time,” Erich pouted. “And you always say we have a right to protect special family time.”
Queen Cara bit her lip, pausing for a moment.
Ian wanted to pat his little brother on the back.
