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“I, too, am new to the castle,” Milburn said heavily, “but I have been told of thievery in these woods. We are attempting to correct the situation with a division of soldiers, but I fear too late for you, Sir John. We will see to your injuries.” Milburn looked up. “Where is the maid I sent for?”
Elizabeth cleared her throat and threaded past two soldiers, who made way for her. She saw more than one serving maid give her a wide-eyed look and quickly turn away. Oh God, please let her people be cautious. “Master Milburn, I am here. Though I am on my way to see to my lady’s meal, how may I help you?”
Milburn turned and scrutinized her. “You are well spoken for a maidservant.”
Elizabeth lowered her gaze. Trembling was becoming easier. “I was raised and educated with Lady Elizabeth, sir. I am her companion.”
“But not her equal,” the steward said. “Your ladyship can wait to break her fast. These injured men need your help.”
“But I am no healer, Master Milburn.”
“I understand that Castle Alderley does not have a physician in residence.”
“Nay, Master.”
“I have sent for the healer from the village. You may assist her when she arrives.”
“But Lady Elizabeth—”
“Can wait,” the steward said impassively.
She kept her gaze lowered. It was painfully obvious that Bannaster wanted his heiress to suffer from loneliness, to be so desperate for companionship that she would do whatever he wanted. Anne was made of sterner stuff.
“Wait with the injured men for the healer’s arrival, and assist her as she needs it,” Milburn continued. “Bring them ale, but no food until she allows it.”
“Aye, master.”
Milburn and the soldiers went back to their duties, and Elizabeth found herself alone next to the two injured strangers. She glanced at the second man, the clerk, Philip Sutterly, whose face was as bruised and swollen as his master’s. His brown hair, tinged red, was drenched with perspiration, and his tunic was torn at the sleeve. He lay still with his eyes closed, breathing shallowly as if even that hurt.
She turned back to Sir John, only to find his gaze now focused on her. His eyes were a startling blue, blue as robin’s eggs or a summer sky, fringed in dark lashes, framed with lines etched by sun and wind—and laughter? His right eye was tugged slightly by the scar, and it gave him the appearance of a man at the beginning of a wink, as if in jest. Something in those eyes inspired a strange feeling of familiarity, but she didn’t think she had ever met him before. He was bold with his scrutiny of her, and she would have been affronted—if he’d known who she was, of course. Now, she was only the lady’s maid, and any man could stare at her.
“Would you like ale?” Elizabeth asked the men.
Sutterly only nodded tightly, as if he couldn’t spare a word.
Sir John said, “My thanks, Mistress…”
“Anne, sir. I am lady’s maid to Lady Elizabeth.”
“Ah, then it is to her that I owe my gratitude,” he said. “Would she allow me to thank her?”
“She would, Sir John, were she available to you. But for now, she is secluded in her bedchamber.”
“I see.” He stirred on the pallet as if he could not get comfortable.
“Let me bring you ale to ease your thirst,” Elizabeth said.
In the kitchens, she found Adalia pacing in front of her cauldrons.
“Anne, how are your patients?” the cook asked, wearing a smile.
“They are not my patients, only today’s distraction to keep me from the lady’s tower.” Elizabeth sighed in frustration. “I am to wait on them and assist the healer when she arrives.”
“And these men are but travelers?”
“A bailiff and his clerk. Their bodies proclaim previous training, but five men fell upon them and they succumbed. Have you skins available? That would be easiest for them to drink from.”
“Nay, but I have drinking horns.”
