Part 36 (1/2)
”I'll fetch ye when it's ready,” Wynda called after them.
Torches were placed at intervals, illuminating the narrow staircase. Alex glanced down at Fayth and noticed the small smile pulling at the corners of her mouth.
”You find it amusing that my servants are so disobedient? I'm sure you'd find nothing of the sort in Graham Keep.”
”Oh no,” Fayth said. ”Ridley would flog the skin off a servant who took such liberties.”
”Well... I cannot flog her. I mean, she does fine work, and your bath will be clean and hot, I vow it-”
Fayth's laughter filled the stairwell, bright and clear as bells. Her eyes shone, deep dimples shadowing her cheeks. ”I think she's wonderful, Alex.”
Her smile, completely uninhibited and utterly arresting, left him fumbling for words. They had reached the landing. He stopped and turned to her. ”I was... concerned, because you're accustomed to finer surroundings and treatment. I mean to say... they are the finest of people, and I think Gealach is fine, but you probably don't, and you're not used to such common treatment-”
”I'm a prisoner, remember?”
”Aye, but that doesn't mean I cannot show you the hospitality owed to a la.s.s of your station.”
She stared up at him for a long time, her mouth set in a thin, thoughtful line. He took her arm again, leading her to a small room near his. He opened the door and let out a sigh of relief to see Wynda had cleaned it thoroughly. He had acc.u.mulated a great deal of insight-furniture and other such things lifted in raids-but as yet had used it little. They had been hauling what they didn't sell down to the tunnels beneath the tower, where it sat, covered in sheets. But Wynda had obviously set the men to hauling up one of the finer beds and bedding. A woven silk rug covered the floor. There was an ornate chest at the foot of the bed and a small table and bench beneath the narrow recessed window. The shutters had been painted green and trimmed with yellow flowers that left the shutters to circle the walls. Pots and baskets bursting with flowers of yellow, purple, blue, and crimson adorned every flat surface. They surely came from Wynda's personal garden.
The Rhins and Macher boasted an unusual array of foliage that bloomed much of the year, owing to the mild sea climate. Wynda had a special plot in the courtyard, protected from the strong winds, that was to be left alone upon fear of excruciating punishment. Alex was touched that she had raided her own garden to make Fayth's room comfortable.
”Will this do?” Alex asked.
Fayth looked around the room, her expression inscrutable. ”Yes.” She crossed her arms gingerly beneath her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, careful of her wound, and eyed him speculatively. ”I a.s.sume you didn't show me to my room for the pleasure of my company?”
He nodded, closing the door behind him. ”You truly believe Carlisle will not trade you for Gealach? I still intend to pay him generously-in addition to returning you.”
She shook her head slowly, but firmly.
”What about Ridley?”
”No. I am worthless to him. He only cares about the Clachan Fala.” She shrugged. ”Had you that, well, then perhaps he would consider your offer.”
”I don't have time to chase after a magical gemstone that might not exist.”
”I'll help you.”
Alex couldn't stop the laughter that erupted at her offer. ”You must be truly desperate to offer me aid.”
Her cheeks flamed and her eyes narrowed. ”You think I'm of no use?”
Alex tried to temper his amus.e.m.e.nt. ”Why are you so insistent about this? I thought you didn't believe in it?”
”What does it matter if I believe, or if it's even real? You planned to use it to find Patrick. Why not accomplish two things?”
”And you get nothing out of it-just the warm knowledge of knowing you helped me.”
The old Fayth was back, scowling at him, arms crossed over her chest. ”I would be reunited with my stepmother if you found Patrick. And if we did find the Blood Stone, then everything would be fine. You could keep Gealach and I could be free.”
Alex shook his head. ”Why would that be the result? Your stepmother obviously has plans for the Blood Stone. You expect her just to forget them so I can use it for my own purposes?”