Page 12 of Ruined By the Ruthless Highlander
“My Lady,” she whispered, glancing down the stairs. “I hope we are not going to climb much further.”
Mrs. Campbell did not need to turn around to respond.
“Would ye rather sleep in the hall, then?” she asked, with the faintest hint of amusement in her tone.
Lilly gasped, shaking her head vigorously.
Marian smiled.
At the top of the stairwell, the space opened into a long, narrow corridor. Small windows lined the outer wall, allowing the fading evening light to stream in.
Mrs. Campbell continued ahead, and Marian followed, slowing down at one of the windows to look at the view. She rested her hands on the frame and leaned out, taking in the glen and the unending rugged landscape stretched out behind it.
It is truly breathtaking.
The land was alive in a way she’d never seen before, wild with an untouched beauty, and unapologetic about it. She listened to the trees whistle, and tears pricked her eyes.
Damn these traitorous emotions.
“My Lady,” Lilly called softly.
Marian straightened, blinking quickly as she stepped back into the corridor.
They turned down the left wing, their footsteps quieter now against the stone. Soon, they arrived at the bedchambers near the end of the corridor.
“The castle’s nae what ye expected, I imagine,” Mrs. Campbell said cheerfully, pushing the door open to reveal the room inside.
It was a simple space, in no way unwelcoming to the eyes. A wide bed stood close to the far wall, with wool blankets and linens folded across it. A small hearth was already burning, and a sturdy chest stood beside the wall, large enough to contain all Marian’s things.
Lilly exhaled softly, looking at her with a satisfied smile.
Mrs. Campbell stepped in ahead of them, moving straight to the hearth. She added an extra piece of wood to the fire, and the flames flared, casting a warmer glow across the room.
“I already ken ye like to play with fire.” She laughed softly as she dusted her hands on her apron.
Marian could not help but smile. “Forgive me.”
She stepped slowly into the room, removing her gloves and setting them carefully on the table near her bed.
Mrs. Campbell turned to face Lilly. “Now, lass. Yer room is right next door. It’s less grand, but it is closest to yer lady, and ye shall enjoy it.”
Lilly nodded. A wide smile spread across her face as she shifted the small bag in her hands. “Oh, please, ma’am,” she said with a slight raise of her hand. “You can just call me Lilly.”
Mrs. Campbell’s lips twitched slightly, her gaze lingering on the girl for a moment. “Aye, we’ll see about that,” she allowed at last. “For now, ye’ll answer when I call, lass.”
Lilly’s smile faltered slightly. She hugged the bag closer to her chest, her eyes darting briefly around the room before settling on Marian again.
Marian moved toward the window. “Your Laird appears to believe we are temporary visitors,” she said calmly, despite the faint edge to her voice.
Mrs. Campbell let out a soft laugh. “The Laird believes many things, me Lady,” she replied, moving toward the bed. “Some of them even turn out to be true.”
Marian’s eyebrows rose slightly. She watched the housekeeper for a moment as she moved about with ease, as though nothing in the castle ever surprised her.
Mrs. Campbell began arranging the blankets, smoothing the wool with firm strokes of her hands.
Lilly crossed over to the other side of the room, joining Marian by the window. She lowered her voice, casting a quick glance at the housekeeper as though she might overhear.
“My Lady, do you truly intend to stay here?”
