Deciding that she needed to keep herself fully focused on finding her brother, she left her chambers and headed downstairs. An early morning ride was exactly what she needed to clear her thoughts.
Most of the servants were already milling about by the time she reached the courtyard that would lead her to the stables she had glimpsed upon arrival.
Some of the soldiers were already training as their swords clanked together with a metallic zing that sliced through the air.
The sound made her shiver as she hugged her arms around her waist and averted her gaze. The reminder of fighting was far too much for her to bear when her brother was missing, and a sense of unease had settled over the castle.
He is still alive. I just ken it.
She swallowed hard, trying to keep her tears at bay. The rest of the servants and soldiers did not seem to mind her presence at all as she descended the stone steps and spotted Marion from across the yard.
The young girl’s cheeks were aflame as her eyes remained fixed on someone across the yard. The linen hung limply in her hands, half in the tub of soapy water and half in the air, while she used her other hand to prop up the heavy laundry stone in the water. She did not seem to be aware of anything around her other than the object of her fascination.
Following her line of sight, Eleanor turned her head to see Iain leaning against a post; he was chatting somewhat flirtatiously with one of the other maids.
The young girl’s long blonde hair hung down her back in an intricate braid as she leaned in closer and laughed softly at something that Iain had said. She was petite and quite delicate-looking in her plain grey dress.
Does he nae ken how Marion feels?
Eleanor’s heart broke for her maid as she looked back at Marion, who could not tear her eyes away from the pair. Her expression was blank and fixed as she reached up and placed a single strand of hair behind her ear.
I have to say somethin’.
A sad smile kissed Eleanor’s lips as she headed in Marion’s direction, her boots squelching in the mud as she walked. She reached the girl’s side, yet her presence did little to summon Marion’s attention and gaze. “Marion?”
Water sprayed through the air, soaking Eleanor almost instantly as she stood blinking in the aftermath of Marion’s fright.
“Mistress!” Marion jumped to her feet, utterly mortified at having soaked Eleanor.
“Well, now I am awake,” Eleanor rubbed the soapy water from her eyes and face, feeling the sting of the cool air around her.
“Mistress, I honestly didnae see ye there!” Marion panicked before rushing to get a clean piece of linen off the line behind her. Hurrying back, she handed it to Eleanor, who began to dry her face.
“There is nae need to fuss, Marion, it was only an accident.” Eleanor attempted to reassure her.
The maid’s face brightened even further as a sheepish look came over her face. “I wasnae payin’ attention, Mistress. I am sorry.” She looked down after glancing to the side, her face falling into a sad look of regret.
Feeling sorry for her, Eleanor began to speak, but her words quickly trailed off as she caught sight of Iain. “It is really nothin’…”
The maid beside him stood laughing as he looked at Marion with a blank expression. Did he think her clumsy or foolish? Nothing in his eyes gave away how he was feeling, nor did he laugh along with the pretty girl at his side.
It wasnae nothin’.
Eleanor turned back to Marion, feeling a wave of pity for the young girl who so prized her romance novels and stories. Water dripped from her hair, yet she did not seem to care, keeping herhead low as she began to move the piece of linen against the laundry stone in her bucket.
“Marion, why do ye nae go and get cleaned up? Ye can come back to yer duties once ye have gotten a dry dress,” Eleanor suggested while using the piece of linen to dry her own sodden hair.
Sniffing back her non-existent tears, Marion got to her feet and attempted to dry her hands on her wet apron. “Thank ye, Mistress, I think I shall do just that.” She sniffed once, attempting to hide her emotions before turning away and heading back toward the castle.
Watching her go, Eleanor sighed. It was never easy dealing with matters of the heart. Especially not when one was as romantic as Marion.
Her gaze drifted back to Iain and the girl who seemed to have won his attention again as they whispered under their breaths in what seemed like a deep conversation.
He doesnae care.
Anger suddenly flared in her chest as she fought the urge to march right over to him and shake some sense into his stubborn male skull. Had he not been running and laughing with Marion at the ceilidh? He might not have been flirting, but if he did not feel the same way as Marion, he should have told her so she could mend her heart and move on with her life.
It seemed highly unlikely to her that the man was utterly oblivious, not when Marion followed his movements and hung on his every word. She tore her gaze away from Iain with a shake of her head and froze.
