A Gypsy's Thief by Titania Ladley

Author:Titania Ladley [Ladley, Titania]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Published: 2011-02-27T02:06:06.457000+00:00

Titania Ladley

Salena winked and rose from her seat. “Faint, you will, lovely Catriona, once you get a taste of our lovemaking.” She paused as if she pondered her next words and chose them very carefully. “You do know you are the first woman—besides myself—that John has ever brought here to this home, do you not?”

The cryptic proclamation was enough in itself to make her heart still. “Nae, I did not have an inklin’. I…oh, dear.”

Salena reached for Catriona’s hand and squeezed it firmly. “Do not worry, love.

This is a very good thing. Here, take this,” she said as an afterthought, plucking a fur-lined cloak from a nearby peg and shoving it into Catriona’s hands. Salena reached for another for herself. “‘Tis chilly where we are bound. Now, let us be on our way.”

Stunned as she was, Catriona could do naught but nod and agree. She obediently took the cape and draped it over her arm.

They swept from Salena’s chambers into the corridor, Catriona clad in her braies, linen man’s shirt, jerkin and boots, and Salena in a lovely day dress of deep navy.

Catriona watched as Salena’s gaze fell upon a servant exiting John’s suite with feather duster and dirty garments in hand.

“Althia!”

The plump brunette woman turned, her eyes widening. She deposited her load on a nearby settee and waddled toward them. “Mercy, ‘tis Lady Montague! Welcome back to Sedgewick Castle, melady.”

Salena glided up the hallway, smiling all the way as she pulled Catriona along with her. “Thank you, Althia. ‘Tis good to be back. Where have you been this last week since our arrival?”

The woman waved a dismissive hand. “Eh, tendin’ to me grandson, the little rascal.

Master John gave me some time off.”

“Good for you!” Salena peered through an open chamber door where housekeeping appeared to be in session. “You know, you always keep the house in such excellent order for our John. I am sure your talents were missed.”

The woman bobbed her kerchiefed head. “Oh, aye, aye. Always for the master. He is such a good mon and well deservin’ of bein’ pampered. Ah, and I do thank ye for yer kind words, melady.”

“It does not surprise me that you would take such good care of him. You are such a valued employee.”

Althia grinned, revealing a toothless gap in one corner of her mouth. “And I teach me Edwina to honor our lord as much as I.”

Salena tsked. “Ah, Edwina is but a babe.”

Althia’s mouth rounded as she shook her head. “Oh, nae. She be nearin’ a good dozen years. Wee bit more than a bairn, that she be. And here I was thinkin’—oh, pardon me manners! Good day to ye, miss.” She nodded with a quick curtsy to Catriona.

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