Her father’s steps were sluggish and she continued to hold on to him as they crept along. The chamberlain waited for them at the end of a hallway and peered at them as if he was inconvenienced by their slow progress.
“Sir, my da is ailing and cannot walk so fast.”
“Oh, Mistress Eva, I…did not realize.” The man’s face fell, and he appeared embarrassed. “We shall take care then to go slow. Shall I have a healer fetched? I can have one of the king’s physicians attend to him.”
“He was checked over before we left for Edinburgh. My da just needs to rest.”
Her father moaned and rasped as he kept his footing. “I do not need a…healer, Edmund. Just show us to our chamber.”
She noted the concern in the chamberlain’s eyes but nodded so he would continue. Their progression through the castle led them through a myriad of corridors and past many doorways.
Eva couldn’t keep her gaze on one thing longer than a moment. The grandness of the castle made her a little envious because not only was it furnished with exquisite items, but it had regalness and elegance her own home had never attained.
Through the hallways, they continued until the chamberlain stopped at a door and motioned to the men who had trailed behind to enter. They carried their baggage and hurried to deliver it inside.
“This will be your chamber whilst you are here. There are two adjoining rooms. I deem you will be comfortable but if there is anything you need, I am here to serve you.”
Her father finally found his voice. “Our thanks, Edmund. I will rest, and daughter, you should change and make ready to visit with the queen.”
They entered and Edmund bid them farewell and closed the door. Her father pulled off his heavy cloak and moved to stand near the hearth where flames sent heat permeating through the chamber.
Eva rushed forward and took his cloak. “Why do you not take a respite here for a while? The fire will warm you.” She set his cloak on the chair opposite his before going to the door to her room.
Her antechamber was richly furnished with a wooden bed, covered with heavy tartan blankets and pillows. On one side sat a table with a pitcher and a pewter cup. There was a large heavily draped window that faced the gardens beyond with one chair to sit on to enjoy the view. But a dampness swarmed the room with a musty, stale scent. The heavily stoned walls were probably inundated with moisture from the rain.
“I am going to get ready and might visit the market—” She was interrupted when someone knocked on the door. With quick steps, she hurried to open it. Servants strolled in, one after another, carrying buckets of steaming water for the tub which she’d only just noticed behind a screen. They filled the tub as a woman stopped and bowed before her.
The woman had her hair worn completely hidden by a wimple but her brows were a deep brown color that matched her eyes. Her smile was sincere and it reached those eyes. “Milady, I am Brenda. I am assigned as your attendant whilst you are here. I thought you mightlike a bath to warm yourself from your travel. Do you need my help?”
She nodded and walked toward the screen. “I would like your assistance.”
“Come, Mistress. Let us get you clean and ready to meet the queen.”
Eva undressed and stepped into the warm water. She relaxed back but really, her stomach was in a mass of knots. She was nervous about meeting the queen and the rest of the events to come—especially finding out who she would marry. But she would try her best to remain calm. It would do well for her not to panic and cause her father great embarrassment.
She didn’t take long to bathe and once she was dried, she chose the plain, dark green gown Luella had packed for her. The maid—Brenda—assisted in pulling back her hair and twisting it in an elaborate coif. Eva didn’t much care to have her hair braided or tied up. She preferred it to hang loose and when necessary, be covered by a head wrap.
“There, Mistress, you do look fetching,” Brenda said as she finished.
“My thanks.” Eva dipped her head and watched the maid leave the chamber. As soon as she had closed the door, Eva pulled the ties and braids free from her hair and fingered her tresses so they hung loosely over her back. Then she slipped her feet into her boots and shook out her cloak to settle around her shoulders.
Eva had hoped to have a little time before meeting with the queen so she could venture out and visit the market. By the time she finished readying, her father had fallen asleep. She placed a woolen blanket over him and tucked it by his sides so it wouldn’t dislodge. With a gentle kiss on his forehead, she whispered goodbye.
On her way out, she grabbed a pouch of coins from her satchel, tied it to her belt, and covered it with the fabric of her cloak. Atop one of the trunks in the chamber, there was an empty basket that shewould make use of to carry whatever she purchased at the market. Quietly, she closed the door and walked lightly toward the castle’s exit. When she reached the doors of the castle, she came across the chamberlain who greeted her with a smile.
“Mistress Eva, I see you ventured from your chamber. Are you leaving the castle?”
“I am…that is… Do I have enough time to visit the market?”
The chamberlain’s chin bobbed. “The queen will meet with you after the late meal. So you have plenty of time. I should send an escort with you.” He twitched a finger at a page.
“That is not necessary, sir. I like to visit the market by myself and take my time browsing the stalls. I shall return soon.” She quickly curtseyed to him and hurried off.
Eva didn’t think she needed protection and the market was close to the castle, so she couldn’t get lost. Apparently, the chamberlain didn’t agree and sent the page to trail her anyway. The lad, whose hair covered his eyes, had tidy garments, and he appeared apt at his duty. He kept a few paces behind her and so she ignored him and continued.
Eva strolled along with her basket tucked in the fold of her arm and reached the costermonger’s cart. In rows of five, barrels sat filled with various fruits and vegetables. She purchased her father’s favorite apples, three of them, and placed them in the basket. They would do well for a light meal in between their mid-day fare and supper. After she paid for the fruit, she noticed the baker’s stall next, filled with loaves of bread, covered with cloth to protect them from the rain. She bought two loaves.
She stopped to stand by a tree to situate the items she’d purchased when she noticed a man staring at her from across the lane. Her breath caught in her throat as she peered at him. He was a tall Highlander and a handsome one at that. With long, light locks, he certainly portrayed the wild man image that she likened to the men from the north.
