Page 53 of Highland Vows of Betrayal

“Me lady?” She jumped at the sound and dropped her knife. Hurrying to pick it up, she held it like a dangerous blade and turned in her seat. “God’s blood!” Callie declared at her side and leapt back before a peal of laughter left her lips. “Yer a little nervy, are ye nae?”

“Callie,” Scarlett said, surprised. She’d spent a lot of time with the healer the day before, not just because of her wound, but also for good conversation. Callie did not concern herself with propriety the way some ladies did in the castle, nor did she hold her chin high with pride the way some of the maids did.

Aye, there is a familiarity with Callie that I like.

“God, ye made me jump.” Scarlett said, putting the knife back on the table.

“So I saw,” Callie laughed. “Ye jumped in yer seat like thoroughbred startled by a gunshot.” She mimicked Scarlett’s jump and nearly fell over from it. Scarlett laughed deeply, too. “Forgive my interruption, I came tae check on yer bandage.”

“Oh, it’s fine.” she waved a hand at her arm; she had been more than happy to forget about it. Callie had given her an herb tonic that morning to ease the pain, and it made her feel lightheaded. The pain had disappeared entirely, however.

“Aye, it looks fine,” Callie noted. “Something tells me ye dinnae let wounds hold ye back, me lady.” She moved toward Scarlett, who pushed her sleeve.

“I dinnae like things tae hold me back,” Scarlett confessed. “I’m sure I’m recovering fine.”

“As the healer, shall I make the judgment?”

“Aye,” Scarlett agreed and sipped her mead as Callie inspected the bandage. She adjusted the material a little before stepping back and nodding.

“It looks like ye are recovering well. The bandage can come off tomorrow.”

“Callie?”

“Aye?”

“All this food.” Scarlett gestured to the table laid out with golden capon, saffron leeks, and a pie so sweet she winced when she tasted it. “It is too much for me alone. Perhaps, ye could join me?”

“Me?” Callie’s eyebrows shot up. “Aye, that would be mighty fine, wouldnae it? A peasant girl and healer sitting at the laird’s table. ‘Tis rich indeed.” Scarlett squirmed at the thought of it.

That is what I am, truth be told.

Scarlett motioned to the empty chairs. “I beg ye, Callie. I’d rather have someone tae talk with than stare at empty chairs.” Callie came forward with a smile on her face.

“It is rather empty in here, isnae it?”

“Very!” Scarlett motioned to the chair beside her again. “Please, sit with me and eat awhile.”

“Well, maybe just this once.” Callie sat beside her.

Pleased for the company, Scarlett pushed dishes forward for the healer to serve herself, then she stared at the cutlery before her.

Which fork was I supposed tae use again? What did Eloise say?

Her lessons abandoned her then, and Scarlett reached for one of the smallest forks, taking a guess. Callie made a small sound beside her and subtly shook her head.

“Wrong one?”

“Aye.” Callie nodded at the correct fork.

“How do ye ken which one tae use?” Scarlett said, praying Callie would not say anything about her mistake to anyone.

“I’ve heard enough fine people hereabouts talk of feasting and the cutlery errors people make.” She rolled her eyes. “It seems tae be important tae some people.”

“Aye, I never understood why.” Scarlett forced a smile and hoped Callie thought nothing more about it. “Tell me about yer work in the castle, Callie.”

“Ah, what is there tae ken?” she laughed as she addressed her capon. When golden liquid shot out of it, she jumped in her seat. “I was nae expecting it tae spit back at me.” Scarlett laughed and offered small meatballs in a pewter trencher.

“Dinnae try these then. Ye’ll hate what they do,” Scarlett advised.