Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
“Me Lady,” Martin said as they turned down a long, winding corridor. “I am sorry to steal ye away on the mornin’ of the fair.”
The noise of the Great Hall slowly faded behind them, replaced by the patter of their footsteps and servants hurrying past as they prepared for the village fair.
Edith laughed softly. “Nay,” she said, glancing at him. “Ye didnae steal me away.”
A small smile touched Martin’s lips. “Lady McLaren might disagree,” he said. “Ye seemed busy with the clanswomen when I came into the hall.”
Edith’s lips curved slightly.
She had been teaching the women how to make simple herbal teas to keep their children from getting the flu. She had not realized Martin had witnessed it, and from the look on his face, she could tell that he was proud of her.
Her fingers curled into her skirt as they rounded the bend.
“Daenae worry about Scarlett,” she said, her chest warming with a pleasant feeling. “She is very understanding.”
More than Aaron.
Edith slowed her steps. If anything, she was grateful for the distraction that Martin’s company offered. Avoiding Aaron’s gaze had been difficult when she had been in the Great Hall, and it had been even harder to keep herself from looking at him.
But she had not wanted to rouse any more suspicion or teasing, especially with Scarlett’s sharp eyes watching her every move.
Martin nodded, coming to a complete stop in front of her. They were nearly at his chamber now.
“There is a matter I thought to bring to yer notice,” he said quietly.
For a moment, Edith assumed the worst.
Surely, he isnae leaving Hallow Castle.
She would not have been surprised if that were the case. Martin was incredible at his craft. And after her last two lessons, it did not seem that Aaron appreciated having him around.
“’Tis about Angus, the cook,” Martin said.
Her brows drew slightly together.
Angus was the youngest cook in the kitchen, a little older than Martin but equally as brooding.
Has something happened to him?
“I might have mentioned that he is to volunteer for the physical examination,” Martin continued. “After the fair.”
Edith shook her head slightly. “Nay, but it is nice to ken.”
“Aye.” Martin nodded, his gaze wavering slightly. “But he has fallen slightly ill, and he might nae be available for the examination after the village fair.”
“Och,” Edith murmured.
She briefly considered Violet. Perhaps this was an opportunity to have her volunteer at last. It would give the lass a chance to be around Martin as well.
“If he is truly unwell, then he should see ye,” she said.
Martin nodded. “He will.” His gaze flitted across her face as he continued, “I have considered the situation, and I think ye can do the examination earlier than planned.”
Edith’s eyes widened. “Now?” Her voice rose slightly in disbelief.
“In about an hour,” Martin replied. “On a real patient.”
Edith stilled. She had spent the last few days preparing for the examination.
She had practiced extensively with Violet, holding the poor lass hostage to her anxiety and the nearly obsessive need to perfect every step.
And yet, now that she was faced with the real deal, she could not help but doubt her own abilities.
She looked at Martin.
Perhaps he isnae certain of what he means.
“A real examination?” she asked quietly.
He nodded. “Aye. But only if ye think ye are ready.”
Edith panicked inwardly.
’Tis happening. ’Tis truly happening.
“If ye arenae,” Martin added, as though he could read her thoughts. “We can wait until later when I—”
“Nay,” she blurted, her breathing heavier than it had been moments ago.
The past few days of waiting had been dreadful, and if she had to wait any longer, she thought she might lose her mind to worry.
“Nay,” she stammered. “I shall… I suppose I am ready.” Her fingers curled tighter into her skirt.
Ye can do this, Edith.
“Are ye certain?” Martin asked, his eyes narrowing slightly in worry. “I can postpone it if ye wish. I only thought to bring the opportunity to yer notice.”
Edith inhaled slowly. She was not yet ready to start practicing officially, but as unnerving as it was, the prospect of examining an actual patient before her final lesson was more exciting than she could let go of.
I wouldnae be any more prepared in a few days.
She nodded slowly, a small, brave smile spreading across her face. “I am ready. Truly,” she said.
Martin’s face broke into a smile of his own.
They went ahead then, following the rest of the corridor until they arrived at the healer’s chamber.
The fair was still hours from reaching its height. The castle grew quieter as it slowly emptied, and yet Edith found herself strangely content working beside Martin.
She helped him set up the chamber for the examination, following instructions as she had done during the previous lessons.
A few days ago, a physical examination had felt like a step closer to the life she truly wanted. And now, she felt as though she could almost touch that life.
A small smile graced her face as they finished preparing the room, and she breathed, excited for the experience ahead of her.
Every passing minute seemed twice as long as they waited for the cook to arrive, and she sat, folding her hands in her lap. She watched as Martin stood near the window reviewing a few notes.
Perhaps she would someday attain the same level of calmness as her teacher.
The thought brought a smile to her lips despite herself, and she cleared her throat, choosing instead to focus on the moment.
Martin turned around, facing her. “Ye wished to ask me something?” he asked.
She straightened. She had not meant to draw his attention.
“Nay,” she said.
“Are ye certain?” he asked. “Earlier, as we left the hall, ye said so yerself.”
Edith blinked. She had totally forgotten about the things that had been on her mind before he brought up the examination, and now it felt silly to even bring them up.
“I… I daenae want to impose,” she said quietly. “Nae again.”
Martin dropped the notes in his hand and pulled a stool next to her. “Is all well with ye?”
She swallowed, feeling bad for causing him to worry.
“Aye,” she responded quickly, her cheeks flushing. “Please daenae fash. I had only meant to ask if ye were… betrothed.”
Martin did not respond at once. He stared at her for a brief moment, then gave the faintest shake of his head. “Nay.”
Edith paused. After their last conversation, she had expected him to be. She hesitated before asking another question.
“Would ye be interested in such a thing?”
Martin’s brows rose slightly. “A wife?”
The way he asked it made the question sound even more out of line in her head. But she could not back down now.
“Aye,” she said quietly, holding his gaze.
“Why do ye ask?”
Because Violet turns pink whenever she speaks of ye.
“Because…” She reconsidered her answer. “There is someone. And she is kind and remarkable.”
Martin studied her for a moment. Then his expression softened slightly.
“I am betrothed,” he said.
Edith frowned slightly. He had just said otherwise.
“What do ye mean?”
“That I could never take a wife,” he said simply. “No matter how worthy she might be.”
Confusion flickered across her face. After her last conversation with him, she had concluded that he did not know Violet well enough to be attracted to her. But now, it seemed there was something else she did not yet understand.
Martin stood, turning his back to the table. “I am betrothed to me work, me Lady,” he said. “I have devoted me life to healing. I always will.”
“Is that truly the only reason?”
The silence that followed stretched long enough that Edith thought he might refuse to answer. Then, he turned to face her again.
“There are some things in life that a man can never claim,” he said quietly, holding her gaze. “Like love he has to hold in silence because it is impossible. Love he can never speak of.”
The words were somber, nearly painful.
Understanding dawned slowly on Edith. “Oh, Martin…”
A faint smile touched his lips. “Aye.”
Edith lowered her eyes. “I see,” she said quietly.
The door creaked open. It was the cook.
Angus stepped inside, carrying himself with all the stubbornness of a man who was clearly unwell and determined to deny it. Martin straightened, walking to meet him halfway.
“Martin,” Angus announced, “I have come to inform ye that I am perfectly healthy.”
Martin sighed. “Wonderful.”
Angus swayed slightly, and Martin caught him by the arm before glancing toward Edith.
“Lady Edith,” he said calmly, a small smile touching his lips. “Yer patient has arrived.”