“I don’t want to make a fuss and have others dislike me.”
“I think we may not have a choice but to make a fuss, since I do not cherish living in constant gloom,” Elysia said and her stomach churned at the thought of having to speak up more than she was accustomed to or it might be the bairn making himself known. A secret that weighed heavily on her.
“Bliss told me she believed you were the strongest sister, that it took an amazing strength to keep an honest tongue and remain as kind as you do. Such goodness is rare and a pleasure to be around.”
“Bliss often warned me I was too kind,” Elysia said, the mention of her sister reminding her how much she missed her and how much she could use her advice and wise thoughts. “I am grateful for Bliss’s confidence in me, but by far she proved that she is the one with the greatest courage by marrying the worst cursed lord.” She shook her head. “But never will anyone equal Annis’s,” —she paused a moment, thinking how best to define Annis’s mettle— “determined courage.”
Lendra chuckled. “That is a mild way of describing your sister’s audacity.”
Elysia entered, along with Lendra, Lady Margaret’s bedchamber to find Glenis standing over the bed.
“You must stay abed and rest,” Glenis was saying as she tucked a blanket around a dozing Lady Margaret. “I have ordered the servant to bring you broth and feed you sparingly.”
Elysia was finding it ever more difficult to hold her tongue. “I will have a word with you, Glenis.”
Glenis moved away from the bed to a corner of the room where Lady Margaret wouldn’t be disturbed by their talk.
Elysia spoke up. “This is nonsense! Lady Margaret needs sustenance to help her grow strong and she should not stay abed all day.”
“I tend Lady Margaret, not you,” Glenis said with a sneer that almost had Elysia taking a step back.
“Has Lord Fergus or Lord Odran not spoken to you since last night?” Elysia asked, recalling how both men had agreed with her request that she and Lendra be the only ones to tend Lady Margaret.
“I have seen neither man and I prefer to keep my distance from Lord Odran since he is having another one of his fits of madness,” Glenis said with disgust.
Annoyance nipped at Elysia that Glenis spoke disparagingly about Odran. “I will not tolerate you speaking disrespectfully of my husband. And it grieves me to think you are a healer, dismissing Lord Odran’s suffering, rather than offering help.”
“There is no healing a curse. He is doomed and all know it and now so are you, as is everyone in the Clan MacBridan,” Glenis said with a defiance that challenged Elysia to deny it.
“Then why do you remain here?” Elysia asked.
“No one would have me knowing I came from a cursed clan. Besides,” —Glenis gave a quick nod at the bed— “Lady Margaret needs me.”
“Not anymore,” Elysia said. “You are no longer to tend Lady Margaret. She is in my and Lendra’s care from now on.”
“I do not take orders from you,” Glenis spat.
“Aye, you do take orders from me since I am the lady of this keep with Lady Margaret unable to see to those duties,” Elysia said, relieved her garments concealed her trembling legs. She may have gained courage, but it still put a fright in her to call on that courage at times.
Glenis looked to argue, but a strong voice from the open doorway stopped her.
“Lady Elysia is correct. With Lady Margaret unable to see to the duties of the keep it falls on Lady Elysia’s shoulders to do so.”
Elysia was stunned to see the commanding voice come from a woman as petite as she was, though the way she held herself, her shoulders drawn back, her chin raised, you would think she was much taller. Streaks of dark hair peeked through the gray and wrinkles didn’t do much to mar the good features of her lovely face.
“Take yourself off, Glenis. You will be summoned if needed,” Dorrit ordered.
With a sneer and quick steps, Glenis left the room.
The woman bobbed her head when she neared Elysia. “I am Dorrit, my lady. “I have served Lady Margaret for many years and see to the running of the keep. I am honored to serve you—until Lady Margaret is well enough to resume her duties.”
The woman made it clear that she was not only faithful to Lady Margaret, but to her position in the keep as well, but would serve Elysia in the interim.
“I am pleased to meet you, Dorrit, and I wish to speak with you after I see to Lady Margaret.”
“As you wish, my lady,” Dorrit said with a bob of her head.
“Dorrit, is that you?” Lady Margaret called out. “Why do I hear arguing?”