Chapter 5 #2
There was just enough light for her to see that Castle MacArthur was built of rough-cut stones. This was a fortress, not a palace. MacArthur banners hung off the square towers that stood at the corners of the keep.
The horses hooves rang hollow as they went over the drawbridge. As they passed the heavy chains that would draw it up, she could see that the links were well oiled and free from rust.
Inside, the keep looked strong and well maintained. There was no sign of crumbling stones, and the walls surrounding the castle were straight and sturdy.
“We’ve arrived, Skye,” Arran said. “I’ll see to it that ye have a hot meal and clean clothes, and a bath if ye like.”
Skye relished the thought of a hot bath. It seemed it had been days since she’d left her comfortable home in Braewall, but in fact, it had just been two. But during that time, she’d accumulated much dirt and grime, and a good bath was just what she needed.
That and food.
Her stomach growled loudly at the mention of a hot meal.
The carriage came to a halt at the entrance of the keep. Arran leapt out of the carriage and offered her his hand to help her down. His strong hand circled hers, and she felt a jolt run through her. He must have felt it, too.
As soon as her feet hit the ground, he dropped her hand as if he’d been burnt by her touch. She saw that hunger in his eyes again, and warmth bloomed in her core.
Several of his guards and some older men immediately surrounded him. There were servants too, and they all seemed happy to see him—especially the maids. Skye wasn’t sure how she felt about that.
I dinnae blame them. He’s young, the Laird, and very handsome after all.
Arran greeted them all and then introduced her to them.
“This is Skye Pressly, and she is me guest,” he announced loudly. He then turned to three maids and ordered, “See to it that she gets food and a bath if she wishes, and fresh clothes immediately.”
The maids didn’t hesitate, rushing inside the keep. One of them, a woman in her thirties, turned to Skye and said in a friendly tone, “Me name’s Nellie. I’ll see to yer needs. Just follow me, now.”
Skye entered the keep, and Arran followed behind, his head bent in a quiet conversation with one of his men. She looked his way, but he went straight through a door off the entrance hall, and she was whisked away up the stairs.
The chamber she was led to was smaller than the one she had at Castle MacKeith, but much more comfortable. The small hearth was clean and free of ash and dust, and cut wood was stacked neatly in a wooden bin to the side.
The floor, also swept clean, was stone, but there was a woolen rug, dyed red and brown, in the middle of the room and another on one side of the bed. The bed itself was large enough for two and boasted two plump feather pillows, a linen coverlet, and a woolen blanket folded on the edge.
There was a window, with real glass, on the opposite wall, and a cushioned window seat sat below it. Skye imagined herself sitting there, reading a book or watching the clansmen below.
A younger servant entered, carrying a tray with a pitcher of water and some bread and cheese.
“Place that here, Blythe,” Nellie instructed, and the girl put the tray on the small dresser.
Skye didn’t realize how famished she was. “Goodness, I am so hungry. Thank ye, Blythe!”
“Laird MacArthur said ye would need some nourishment, as dinner isnae ready yet.”
Skye smiled and took some bread and cheese and sat in the window seat.
The door opened suddenly, banging against the wall, and she jumped.
“Watch what ye’re doing there, Conley. Ye’re going to put holes in the wall, ye are!” Nellie chided as a thirteen-year-old boy with a shock of red hair wrestled a tub into the room.
“Sorry, me Lady,” he said. “This tub’s as big as I am!”
After some pulling and pushing, the tub was placed in front of the hearth. Nellie started a fire, and it wasn’t long before a line of servants and some of the younger help started carrying hot buckets of water from the kitchens up to the room.
When the tub was full, Nellie handed Skye some sweet-smelling soaps and a drying towel.
“Would ye like me to stay and help ye with yer dress and yer bath?”
Skye hadn’t ever had a lady’s maid, and she didn’t see the need for one now. “Nay, thank ye, Nellie. I can manage.”
Nellie nodded and smiled, slowly circling Skye.
Skye tilted her head slightly to the side and asked with a smile, “What are ye doing, Nellie?”
“Sizing ye up. Ye hop in yer bath before it gets cold. I’m thinking I have some shifts and a gown that will fit ye well enough. Let me fetch them, and I’ll be right back.”
Nellie left the room, and Skye wasted no time undressing and getting into the bath. She just sat for a few moments and took several deep breaths. The events of the last two days had taken a toll on her body and her emotions.
She recalled Arran lying on top of her in the carriage and how she’d wished he would kiss her. And how he had listened when she had told him about her life and Castle MacKeith. But then when they’d arrived, he didn’t speak to her once they entered the keep.
But he did send ye something to eat.
He was, at least, thinking about her.
She told herself to stop worrying about such a silly thing. She had bigger concerns.
She quickly washed her body, then soaped her hair and rinsed it with the bucket of clean warm water left at the side of the tub.
By the time Nellie entered the room again, Skye was sitting on her bed, wrapped in a blanket, running her fingers through her long hair to dry it faster.
“I found some clothes that just might work if ye wish to dress for dinner. Laird MacArthur asked me to tell ye that ye are welcome to dine with him in the Great Hall, or if ye are feeling too tired, I am to bring a tray to yer room.”
A quiet evening, here in the comfort of her room, enticed her, but she wanted to see the layout of the keep. Was there a way out if she decided to leave without telling anyone? She wondered what Arran and his advisors wanted to do with her.
She told herself these were very good reasons for accepting his invitation to dine with him—and they were very good reasons. But if she was honest with herself, she knew she just wanted to see him again.