It was a big, insulting gap, as Adelaide now sat all alone.
As Thomas wandered away with Caria in-hand, Maitland watched him go. In fact, she had witnessed the entire scene, from the brusque young woman entering the hall to Thomas’ rather harsh words. Having no idea who the woman was, andhaving not been introduced to her, she leaned over to her brother.
“Whoisthat woman?” she whispered.
Desmond sighed heavily, leaning around his sister to see Adelaide there, sitting all alone, clearly unhappy that she had to butter her own bread.
“Lady Adelaide,” he muttered. “Be careful of her. She is a nightmare.”
The comment concerned Maitland, but not because she was concerned for Adelaide and what the woman was capable of. She was concerned that the woman was being treated poorly by Thomas and even Desmond, which didn’t sit well with her. Even though she didn’t know the woman, she didn’t like the idea of her brother being nasty to her.
“The poor woman is all alone,” she hissed to her brother. “Why are you not speaking with her?”
“She is a beast. I willnotspeak to her.”
“Of course she is going to be a beast if everyone is being cruel to her.”
Desmond rolled his eyes, seeing that his sister clearly didn’t understand the situation. She hadn’t met Adelaide before and therefore didn’t know her for what she was. That being the case, Desmond took his life in his hands as he opened his mouth to speak to Adelaide. Perhaps if his sister had a demonstration of the woman’s behavior, she might understand that Adelaide was nothing to be trifled with.
“Lady Adelaide,” he said, leaning in front of his sister to catch Adelaide’s attention. “I would like to introduce you to my sister, Lady Bowlin. She is on her way to Kelso to assume charge of their foundling home at Edenside.”
Adelaide turned to look at Maitland as if only just seeing her for the first time. Her dark eyes appraised Maitland openly,looking her up and down as if determining if she was worthy to speak to.
“A foundling home?” she said, disdain in her voice. “What on earth for?”
Maitland remained polite. “I am a Beguine, my lady,” she said. “My husband was killed two years ago and I have devoted myself to the service of the church. I seem to have some talent when it comes to children, so I am being sent to Edenside to tend the foundlings there. It is quite rewarding, I find.”
Across the table, Jordan was watching the exchange very carefully. “Lady Bowlin has some very good ideas for teachin’ the children a trade,” she said. “She can teach them tae knit, or tae make cheese from sheep’s milk, or even soap. I seem tae recall that ye sew very well, Lady Adelaide. Everyone should have a skill tae be useful.”
Adelaide’s brow seemed to be perpetually furrowed as her attention moved back and forth between Jordan and Maitland.
“Of course I can sew,” she said. “But it is not atrade.”
There was great disgust in her tone as she said it. Maitland was coming to see even from the short conversation that the lady was somewhat disagreeable. “Did you sew the dress you are wearing?” she asked. “It is quite beautiful. It took great talent to make it.”
Adelaide looked down at her surcoat, an elaborate creation made from blue silk and a good deal of colorful embroidery.
“My maids sewed this,” she said. “I would never sew a dress for myself. Why should I when I have an army of women to do it? But you are correct; it is quite lovely. And expensive. I have many garments just like it.”
Now, Maitland was coming to understand what her brother had been trying to tell her. Adelaide seemed quite disagreeable and unfriendly no matter what the subject, and she didn’t see much use in continuing the conversation.
“You are quite fortunate, then,” she said, turning back to her food. “It was very nice to make your acquaintance, my lady.”
She picked up her spoon with the intention of finishing what was on her trencher, but Adelaide didn’t seem to understand that the conversation had been ended. Her attention was fully on Maitland, even as the woman practically turned her back on her.
“Why did you commit yourself to the church when your husband died?” she asked. “I should think you would want to find another husband right away.”
Maitland put her spoon down and politely faced her again. “I have no interest in marrying again,” she said. “Moreover, my husband did not leave me with a great fortune and a prospective husband would require such a thing.”
“What about your father? Surely he will provide for you.”
“My father is dead, but he had even less than my husband did.”
The conversation lagged as Adelaide seemed to take a second look at Maitland, dragging her gaze all over the Beguine, scrutinizing her worn clothing. It was clear that she was judging based solely on appearance. Then, she looked at Desmond.
“You should have brought her to me before you permitted her to feast in the hall of a de Wolfe,” she said. “She is not appropriately dressed.”
“She is wearin’ the proper clothin’ for her station,” Jordan spoke up, her disapproving gaze on Adelaide. “If anyone has a right tae speak on improper clothin’ in the hall of de Wolfe, ’tis me, and I say she is properly dressed.”
