Page 6 of The Chief

Chapter 3

“Pick one, Cristane.”

Rory rarely found himself in the servants’ quarters, but after speaking to the marshal and establishing a plan for a possible attack by McKinnon, he’d realized he was quite hungry. He’d missed the midday meal, and though there would be more than enough to eat that evening at the feast, Rory had never been the patient sort. He’d made his way to the kitchens, only to be distracted by the shouts just down the corridor—which was why he’d found himself approaching the open door. He knew what lay inside. Pallets for sleeping and not much else to recommend it. But rarely was it occupied at this time of day, which was what had piqued his curiosity. That, and the calls for Cristane to “pick one.”

“Pick, pick,” they said to her.

Rory was not so much of a fool that he did not understand the maid’s tenuous position in the castle. Shunned by her own for daring to rise through the ranks, she’d then been left by Cait, who’d so cleverly tricked him into taking her south, to England. Come spring, he had no doubt Cait and her new husband would come to Bradon Moor to visit their mother and take Cristane back down to Licheford Castle. But in the meantime, he did not envy the lovely maid.

Too lovely, by far.

She was more than Cait’s maid. Although she stubbornly refused to call him by his given name, he considered her a true friend, and he knew Cait felt the same way. Rory admired all she’d overcome—and her perpetually sunny disposition, which always lifted the people around her.

She was very much off-limits for him.

It had been too long since he’d been with a woman, a fact Rory meant to rectify the moment he knew McKinnon was not a threat. He’d not visit the village now though, not after Kerr’s warning.

“Do not open your eyes,” a girl’s voice commanded from inside the room.

Her tone toward Cristane did not please him. She sounded sharp. Jealous.

“Show us!”

He was just outside the door now.

“Nay.”

It hardly sounded like her. Usually, a happier woman could not be found anywhere, but Cristane sounded anything but happy at the moment.

And then he realized what they were about when he noticed women inside who were not servants. There was only one day of the year they would be found in here.

He’d forgotten it was the St. Valentine’s feast day. They were doing the traditional lover’s pick.

Standing at the door, Rory crossed his arms and watched. One of the maids, presumably the one who’d asked Cristane to show them what she’d chosen, reached for her hand. But Cristane was too quick. She pulled it away and then turned—

And they all seemed to realize he stood there at once.

Rory did not want his presence to dampen the festive mood. Although it was a day he’d no wish to celebrate, he did not wish to take their enjoyment away from them. Of course, Cristane did not seem as if she were enjoying it much at all. She avoided looking at him, but the others all grinned.

“Very well,” the girl said, placing the wooden bucket in the center of the others and giving it a shake.

When the girl looked at him first, Rory nodded in encouragement, ready to see the games unfold.

“’Tis the squire’s scabbard,” she giggled, holding it up.

He took a step closer. “Ahh, Darron’s squire.”

She slipped the leather into her belt, obviously less hesitant than Cristane to display her pick.

“I wish you well in that particular courtship,” he said.

Darron’s squire, a fine enough young man, was nevertheless already keen on another lass. He’d overheard a conversation about it just the day before in the stables. Rory smiled, imagining his mother’s scolding for all his knowledge of the gossip amongst the servants.

Turning to leave, he stopped at the sight of Cristane’s face.

Cheeks flaming red, she stood with her hand clenched tightly at her side. She was, for lack of a better description, mortified. He had never seen her appear so uncomfortable before, as if she wished to be anywhere but this room. Perhaps the maids were treating her worse, even, than he had thought.

Well, if she wanted to leave, he would ensure it happened.