Six
Maddie awoke in the morning. Images of the night before were embedded in her memory. She couldn’t stop them from flooding back, nor stop the wave of yearning that throbbed within her.
What was wrong with her?
All night she had dreamed about their kiss. About him. This was not for her! This was not her plan.
She wanted to cry, but no, she wouldn’t allow herself to! Stop it, she chastised herself. She would just have to work extra hard now to undo her shameful behavior. She got up from the bed and set out to work.
She needed to clean.
Maddie got dressed with one of the new dresses Mairi had made for her. It was a comfortable wool dress, deep plum in color. Hopefully she wouldn’t be here much longer, she thought as she dressed.
Maddie went downstairs determined to finish cleaning the hearth. She needed to remind Connor about the letter she wrote her father, but she didn’t want to confront him. She couldn’t. Maddie blushed remembering the night before. Her cheeks burned.
She went outside and saw Hugh supervising the training.
“Sir Hugh!”
He turned around with a satisfied expression. She had remembered his name. He found it humorous that she added the title Sir to those she addressed.
He walked over to her.
“Yes, milady.”
“Maddie, please. Do you know where Connor is? I have to remind him about the letter to my father.”
Hugh nodded his head. He sensed her urgency.
“Aye, Maddie. He had some issues with a feuding clan to attend to. Your letter has been dispatched. ”
Maddie smiled and nodded her head. “Good, then, thank you. Hopefully, my father will send some of his men for me promptly, and I can leave before I inadvertently abuse Connor’s hospitality.”
Hugh simply smiled. He didn’t think it would be a good idea for anyone related to Wynton to come onto Ramsay land, but he kept his opinion to himself. Maddie looked so hopeful. How did such a sweet and innocent woman come from such evil stock?
“Yer father-”
Maddie interrupted him before he could finish asking his question.
“He’s a busy man, Sir Hugh. He would be unable to come himself, but I am certain he would send for me.”
She gave him her best fake smile. He saw through it, though. Her tone didn’t sound as certain as her words did.
“Aye. Thank you. God bless you. Excuse me,” and she hurriedly turned towards the castle.
Did she ever go anywhere slowly? It seemed like she bustled everywhere she went.
Maddie’s supplies were left near the hearth from yesterday. She began to scrub the outside of the hearth.
“Maddie? What are ye doing?”
Lady Miriam came into the sitting room.
“I am cleaning, Miriam. ‘Tis good for the soul!”
Miriam smiled. There was such kindness in Miriam’s eyes and Maddie found herself wondering about her own mother. Maddie returned her smile.
“‘Tis nay something ye need to do, Maddie.”
“I want to, Lady Miriam. After all, your family’s hospitality has been most generous. Imagine welcoming an Englishwoman into your home! A stranger,” Maddie shook her head, “Nay, Lady Miriam. I am eternally grateful to Connor for saving me. I hate to think what would have happened had he not.”
Lady Miriam reached out a hand. Maddie started to tear.
“‘Tis over now, and they will never harm ye again.”
Maddie shook her head. “‘Tis nay that, Lady Miriam,” Maddie smiled sadly.
“What is the matter, Maddie?”
Maddie shook her head.
“‘Tis nay good to feel sorry for oneself,” she sniffed.
“Oh come now! Here, sit with me,” Miriam said, leading her to a settee. “Now tell me what has ye so sad?”
Maddie sniffed.
“Well…’tis just that you are so kind and warm. I wonder if my mother would have been the same with me.”
“Yer mother is nay with us?”
Maddie shook her head and frowned.
“Nay. She died.”
“When?” Miriam said, patting Maddie’s hands.
Maddie hesitated a moment and fresh tears fell from her eyes. Her whisper was so faint, Miriam had to strain to hear her.
“She died while…while birthing me.”
“I’m so sorry, Maddie. ‘Tis unfortunate when a woman dies while bringing her child into this world. Ye grew up without a mother. ‘Tis difficult. I know because I grew up without mine. My mother also died while birthing me.”
Maddie’s head snapped up. Her eyes were round with surprise.
“Do you think you’ll be saved, Lady Miriam?”
“Saved? Whatever do ye mean, Maddie?”
Maddie hesitated meeting the older woman’s hazel eyes.
“You’ll be saved, Lady Miriam. ‘Tis I who won’t be unless I work hard and serve others.”
Miriam was going to ask what Maddie meant but Aimee came into the room.
“The water is ready for your bath, Lady Miriam.”
Miriam nodded. “Thank ye, Aimee.”
Aimee left and Miriam turned concerned eyes onto Maddie.
“I appreciate this little chat, Lady Miriam. I’d like to think that my own mother was as kind as you are, and would have accepted and loved me,” Maddie said, smiling.
Miriam’s heart went out to the girl. She let the topic go for now.
“I’m sorry, Lady Miriam. I didn’t mean to cry-”
“No, dear,” Miriam interrupted. “‘Tis nay always a bad thing to cry.”
“You make me feel so normal and good. Thank you,” Maddie said, covering Miriam’s top hand.
“I know I havena had an opportunity to get to know ye better, Maddie. I would like to, before ye go back. ‘Tis just that-”
“Oh, no Lady Miriam. I understand! You are very busy with duties. I don’t want to keep you any longer, your bath water will grow cold.”
Miriam patted Maddie’s hand, feeling a connection with her. Even though they had just met, she felt a goodness and purity in Maddie.
“Yes, ‘tis been a long day already, and ‘tis only morning. I’ll take a bath and hope I shall feel better.”
Maddie smiled at Miriam as she left the room. She thought about her and how alike they were. Maddie hoped that she, too, could be saved just as Miriam was on the path of her own salvation.
Maddie worked at cleaning the hearth for several minutes when she became cold. Since she could not light a fire while she was cleaning the hearth, she went upstairs to grab her shawl. As she walked out of her room, she heard crying. It was pure anguish. What poor soul was crying like that? She walked down the hallway and finally pinpointed the room from where the cries emanated. Maddie knocked, but no answer came forth. She knocked twice more, but no response.
Another cry.
Maddie opened the door cautiously and saw a young lady, a little younger than she was, trapped in a nightmare.
Who was she?
Maddie gingerly walked over to the bed. Poor thing, Maddie thought, as her concerned eyes roamed over the girl. She reached out a hand and brushed locks away from her face. The girl sat up with a start, panting and sweating. She looked over to Maddie, confusion unmistakable on her face.
“Who are ye?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to disturb you. ‘Twas that I heard your cries and I wanted to help.”
She looked even more confused.
“Ye’re English?”
Maddie smiled.
“Aye. ‘Tis evident, isn’t it,” Maddie laughed quietly.
“What are ye doing here?”
Tears still remained in the girl’s hazel eyes. Her eyes reminded Maddie of Miriam’s.
“I am a guest. Connor, the laird, saved me from men who took me from my home. They wanted to ransom me. He brought me here and has allowed me to stay until my father’s men come to take me back home.”
The girl smiled a little.
“Aye, Connor would have saved ye.”
“You know him! Why, of course you do!” Maddie laughed at her foolish comment. Maddie eyed Katie suspiciously, making Katie laugh. “You have Lady Miriam’s eyes. Connor didn’t tell me he had a sister.”
Katie laughed again.
“My name is Katherynne. Call me Katie.”
“What a beautiful name,” Maddie said with a smile, but it faltered. “I thought all he had were two younger brothers.”
“Nay. I’ve been here in my room for quite a while.”
“Don’t you want to go outside?” Maddie asked curiously, looking around. “Wouldn’t you like some sunlight?”
Something flashed in the girl’s eyes. Katie shook her head.
“I’m sorry! I don’t mean to pry.” After berating herself under her breath, causing Katie to smile, Maddie said, “I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Madeleine Wynton. Do call me Maddie, please.”
“‘Tis nice to meet ye, Maddie.”
Maddie looked around again. What a mess! This wouldn’t do. Dresses were tossed everywhere. The floor needed to be swept badly. The chests needed to be dusted. Had no one cleaned this room at all? Her fingers flexed with the urge to tidy up and clean.
“I know that I’ve only just met you and so I wouldn’t dream of expecting you to tell me what has you so ill. There must be a bad flu going around. Please, I won’t take no for an answer. I simply must clean your chamber for you!” Maddie said, smiling at Katie.
Katie found her first true smile in a month. She had only just met this woman, and here she was offering to clean her own chamber. She was such a puzzle. She was also very talkative.
“I havena been of the mind to-”
Maddie waved her hands. “No excuses needed, Lady Katie. Besides, I am happy to help.”
“I couldna ask ye to-”
“I insist, Katie. Why, you’re my friend now and ‘tis the duty of friends to help one another.”
Katie nodded and looked at Maddie with curiosity. Maddie was so effervescent, she didn’t have the heart to say no.
Maddie talked on and on while picking up the room. Although Maddie didn’t mean to, she made Katie laugh. Katie became lost in laughter while Maddie babbled on. After picking up dresses and putting things back where Katie said they belonged, Maddie stood and smiled.
“Now! ‘Tis too dreary in here for you Lady Katie. You are a gem and need sunlight and flowers to compliment your beauty. I know what I can do! I’ll be right back!”
Maddie opened the window coverings and let light in. Once she did that to both windows she left the room, only telling Katie that she’d be right back. Katie followed Maddie’s form as she bustled out of the door, marveling at how much energy Maddie had, and at how quickly she changed topics. Wasn’t it just a minute ago that she met Maddie and now she had finished picking up the room?
Maddie hurried out of the castle and began to pick flowers. Once she had an armful of the colorful stems, she started up the steps. Aimee passed by her.
“Aimee, may I trouble you a moment? Could you please bring some water and a couple of pots for flowers to Katie’s room?”
Shock registered on Aimee’s face but she was quick to recover.
“Aye, milady.”
Maddie made a face.
“Please, Aimee, call me Maddie. No formalities are needed.”
Aimee smiled and went quickly to get what Maddie had asked for.
Maddie rushed up the stairs. Katie was lost in thought when she came in. Sadness swan within the watery depths of her eyes, and it touched Maddie’s heart.
“Smile, Katie. God helps us all in his way. He shall help you, too,” she said, smiling down at her.
Katie wondered about that. She looked over to Maddie and her face lit up.
Flowers!
How she had missed colors since she had isolated herself in her room.
“Ah! I see these did the trick. I knew it!”
Aimee knocked and Katie welcomed her in. Maddie and Aimee began to place flowers all around the room.
Maddie looked around, satisfied. “There! A little more cheery.” She looked at Aimee.
“Aimee, could I ask that you bring a scrubbing board and some soap. I’d like to clean some of these dresses for Katie.”
Aimee looked at Maddie as if she’d lost her mind.
“Nay, mistress, I canna. That’s a servant’s work!”
“Nay, Maddie,” Katie chimed in. “Nay, ‘tis nay acceptable.”
Maddie shook her head, smiling.
“Nonsense. I don’t believe in stations, Aimee. When there’s work to be done, there’s work to be done, and that’s that. If I have the time, why burden the staff who are already burdened?”
Aimee was dumbfounded but Katie was laughing up a storm.
Miriam and Malcolm had been at the door when Maddie made her last statement. When they heard Katie laugh, it was as if the clouds parted and the sun finally came through.
“‘Tis nice to hear ye laughing again, Katie,” Malcolm said in a deep voice, thick with emotion.
Katie looked up surprised, not having noticed her parents there. She smiled at them.
“I hope you don’t mind, Lady Miriam. Lady Katie allowed me the pleasure of tidying up the room and I would like to wash her dresses.”
Miriam looked from Katie to Maddie and slowly nodded. Her smile was wide. She wouldn’t deny anything to the woman that had made her daughter smile again. Whatever Maddie’s special remedy was, it was working. Miriam didn’t want Maddie away from Katie.
“Aye. Thank ye, Maddie.”
Although Maddie didn’t know it, Miriam thanked her for a lot more than the simple chores.
Aimee had left the room and returned with what Maddie had requested. Maddie slowly began to wash the dresses and started telling stories of herself when she was younger. Katie smiled and laughed at the outrageous stories of Maddie learning how to clean. It became apparent to Katie that Maddie was fanatical about the subject.
Malcolm and Miriam left the two and slowly went down the hall.
“I was concerned, Malcolm. When I laid down on the bed, I had no intention of napping, but I was so tired! I fell asleep.”
“Of course, love. Ye havena left Katie’s side for an instant.”
“When ye entered the room and I awoke, I was mortified! I couldna dress fast enough!”
“But Katie is fine, just as I told ye.”
“Nay, not for the reasons ye gave me. Katie is better because of Maddie. She went in there, cleaned the room, opened the window coverings, and placed flowers. Everything that Katie didna want, Maddie managed to accomplish. And quickly, at that!”
Miriam smiled and laughed. Malcolm silently gave thanks to the Lord.
The only thing that had been better than hearing his wife’s laughter and seeing her smile, was hearing and seeing that of his daughter’s.