Page 43 of Defy the Highlander

“What?”

“Colly willna come.”

Both she and Amy chuckled as they left the tiny chamber and headed into the small corridor that would take them into Lady Currie’s large chamber. Lilia still had her sewing in her hand because she wanted to show Lady Currie that she had been working hard like a good servant would.

She didn’t want to give the woman any cause to doubt her, no matter what Colly said.

Lady Currie’s chamber smelled of fresh rushes and smoke as she entered. Servants were spreading the fresh rushes they’d collected all over the floor, giving the air that sharp scent of pine.

In fact, Lady Currie was sitting up in a lovely robe, looking healthier than she had in weeks. When she saw Lilia enter with the pink confection in her hands, she immediately perked up.

“What have you brought me, Lilia?” she demanded. “Hurry, bring it to me!”

Lilia hurried it over to her, completely ignoring Colly, who was standing at a nearby table and mixing something in wine. Lilia presented Lady Currie with the pink silk and the woman gasped in delight.

“How divine!” she said. “For me?”

Lilia smiled, holding it up so the woman could get the full view of it. “’Tis a surprise, m’lady,” she said. “But I’m nearly finished with it so ye can wear it tonight if ye’d like. It’s a sleeping gown.”

Lady Currie was beside herself with delight. “It’s beautiful,” she said. “But where did you get the fabric?”

Lilia let the woman take it from her so she could inspect it. “When I negotiated with the merchant for the other fabric I bought for ye, I had him include the pink because I knew ye’d like it,” she said. “Are ye pleased, m’lady?”

Lady Currie nodded enthusiastically. “Ever so much,” she said. Then, she held it up to Colly. “Did you see, Colly? See what Lilia has made for me.”

Colly had the wine in her hand as she made her way over to Lady Currie. Lilia dared to look at her at that point, seeing that she was eyeing the garment with disdain.

“Ye will catch a chill in it,” she said. “It isna warm enough for ye.”

Lady Currie’s enthusiasm was not dampened. “It will be warm enough,” she said. “It’s so beautiful. That was very thoughtful of you, Lilia. Would you not say so, Colly?”

Colly looked at Lilia with the same contempt she always did. “She’s simply trying tae make up for the terrible things she’s done.”

Lady Currie frowned. “That is not very nice of you, Colly. You must learn to be more forgiving.”

Colly didn’t say anything as she handed the wine to Lady Currie. Lilia watched the old woman, visions of throwing that wine on the pink gown filling her head. But the gown remained unscathed as Lady Currie took the wine and drained half the cup almost immediately.

“Well done, Lilia,” she said. “I am eager to wear the gown tonight after we return from the Ludus Caledonia. I want you to come with me.”

Lilia nodded. “Aye, m’lady.”

“You will wear the brown broadcloth and I shall wear the glorious Roman costume you made for me.” She turned to Amy, who was standing behind Lilia. “Amy, I want you to do my hair in the Roman fashion. Lots of braids and curls. I want to look like a queen tonight. I am sure those at The Cal are wondering what has become of me.”

The thought of going to the Ludus Caledonia had Lady Currie moving faster than she’d moved in a month. She was calling for a bath and sending her servants into a frenzy. Lilia took the pink gown and headed back to the little sewing room to put the finishing touches on it so Lady Currie could wear it later that night.

All the while, however, a singular thought was rolling through her head.

The Ludus Caledonia.

Lilia realized that she wasn’t entirely resistant to go because thoughts of the place brought about thoughts of Brody. She was quite eager to see if he had, in fact, gone to the Ludus Caledonia. Perhaps he would be there and she would have a chance to see him, to know he was all right. Lady Currie always looked over the new recruits and if he was there, he was probably among them.

But that also brought another thought to mind.

Lady Currie liked her pick of fine, young men and Brody would stand out in a crowd. He was wildly handsome. If she wanted to purchase Brody’s services, the money would be great. Lilia had never seen a warrior turn down Lady Currie and she assumed the that men weren’t given any choice.

What if she chose Brody?

The horror of that thought was almost more than she could bear.