***
A slamming door awoke Calla from her nap. Upon hearing sobs, she opened her eyes to the dim room, lit only by the firelight and a candle.
Elena toppled onto her bed, buried her face in the pillow and cried like abairnwho'd received a severe whipping.
"What is it?" Calla sat up, eyeing the girl. "What's wrong?"
"Rebbie," she wailed. "Father told me he's broken the betrothal. He refuses to marry me."
"Oh." Though Calla was thankful for that, guilt also crashed in on her. Was she to blame? She didn't think Rebbie would've married the lass whether Calla had been present or not. So 'haps she shouldn't feel overly guilty. "I'm sorry. You will find someone who suits you better."
"Nay," she whimpered. "There is no one else for me. I love him." She blew her nose on the hanky.
Oh good heavens. The lass didn't know what love was. She was smitten, aye, but she would recover quickly.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come," Calla said.
A maid entered with a tray and set it on the small table. "You both missed supper, so I've brought you something."
"I don't want anything," Elena grumbled into her pillow.
Calla arose and pulled on her wrap to see what the maid had brought. "I thank you." She'd eaten little beyond an apple and a bannock since breakfast. When she'd arrived here, the maids had helped her bathe, even washing the remaining dried blood from her hair, before her nap. She'd been too sleepy to bother with eating then.
The roasted leg of fowl looked tempting. She picked it up and took a bite. "'Tisdelicious."
The maid smiled and poured a goblet of wine for her.
"I thank you." Sipping, Calla realized 'twas spiced mulled wine. Her favorite.
The maid curtseyed and left.
Calla truly did feel sorry for Elena, but there was naught to be done about it. Rebbie had never intended to marry her from the first. The lass would surely learn from this experience and grow stronger as a result.
After she finished eating, Calla poured herself another goblet of the spiced wine. Elena must have cried herself to sleep for she was now silent and her breathing deep.
A light knock sounded at the door and Calla carefully opened it, hoping to not wake the girl.
Angelique waited outside. "Could I speak with you for a few minutes?" she whispered.
"Aye. Should I dress first?" Calla set the goblet aside.
"Non, but grab your cloak. The corridors can be chilly."
What on earth did her friend wish to talk about at this late hour?
After pulling on her cloak and slippers, she followed Angelique down the corridor toward her rooms. Just outside, she halted and whispered, "Rebbie wishes to speak to you."
Chapter Sixteen
Calla gaped at Angelique, standing in the dim corridor. Rebbie wanted to see her this late at night? That could only mean one thing. Calla's heart vaulted into her throat and raced with excitement. "He does?"
"Oui." Angelique pointed at a door further along.
Heat rushed over Calla. Obviously, her friend had figured out she and Rebbie had been intimate. Or mayhap Rebbie had told Lachlan, who had then told Angelique.Saints!Was her friend not upset that Calla had kept secrets from her? She had no idea what Angelique even knew of their situation.
"That is, if you want to speak to him." Angelique smiled.
