“No need to be shy, mistress.” Helen was surprisingly strong, pulling the thick cover clear off the bed. A satisfied smile lit her face.
“Here now, out of bed with ye.”
Helen didn’t wait for Anne to overcome her modesty. She gently grasped a wrist, pulling her out of the bed. The row of maids all lowered themselves. There was a snap of fabric behind her. But she froze as she looked into Brodick’s eyes. He stood watching her, his expression unreadable.
“There now.” Helen held up the soiled sheet triumphantly. She showed its bloody stain proudly to the waiting maids. They all lowered themselves once more before turning to fetch her clothing. Brodick eyed it, satisfaction lifting his eyes. He had his boots on now and looked like the earl once more, the man she’d woken up with hidden behind a controlled expression.
“It will serve as a fine example to the castle folk to have this flying outside yer window.” Helen inspected the sheet closely, nodding approval. “Aye, indeed it will. Too many of the young are tempted to dally outside of marriage.”
Helen refused to give up the sheet, keeping a tight hold on it. She watched the maids bring forward Anne’s clothing with a keen eye.
“The lot of ye take notice, the lass is nae having her monthly curse.”
Every set of eyes flew to her bare thighs. Anne groaned softly, more embarrassed than she’d ever been in her life. Helen had no pity for her plight. The senior maid took an edge of the soiled sheet that was still clean and swiped it along her inner leg.
“You see? White as snow it is.”
“Helen…”
The maid didn’t look a bit contrite. She lifted her chin, satisfaction shining in her eyes.
“Just making sure that there is no question of yer honor.” She aimed a hard stare at the frozen maids. “From any corner of the castle.”
“Aye, ma’am.”
“Ma’am.”
“Indeed, mistress.”
“’Tis so, ma’am.”
Helen nodded approval. The maids began to dress Anne taking care to lay each garment softly against her skin. Her unbound hair was lifted gently by one set of hands while another eased her doublet up her right arm. Brodick watched, seemingly interested in her dressing.
“We’ll have some of yer clothing altered by tonight. Yer mother’s housekeeper should be demoted. None of yer corsets are the correct length on the sides. Such an oversight is shameful.”
A maid was closing the front of her doublet when a fist landed on the door.
“Open it.” The earl spoke with firm authority that sent every maid to lowering herself instead of doing what he wanted.
“Now, Ginny.”
Helen didn’t lack command presence—the maid jumped to the ring of urgency in her voice. One of them pulled the door wide. Cullen and Druce stood there along with three other men.
“Thank ye for attending us, my lords.” Brodick sounded more serious than an executioner. He pointed toward Helen.
The senior maid proudly pulled the sheet wide between her outstretched arms. Anne felt her face burn as the men all inspected the stain. They didn’t say anything, only stared before their gazes drifted over her.
“’Tis settled then.”
Brodick nodded as he swept the room with a firm glance. He paused at each maid before eying the men. When they had all returned his nod he moved across the chamber to her.
“I do see the value in some traditions. Now the matter is proven truly.” He stroked a hand across her cheek, tenderness flickering in his eyes. It vanished almost as quickly as his fingers finished stroking her face.
“Wife.”
He strode from the chamber without another word. Her throat felt tight as if a hand was squeezing it. She had to force her next breath down to her lungs.
“Men. They bluster but don’t know what to do when presented with solid evidence. Never ye fear, mistress, the lord is pleased with ye. He’ll remember to say so later, once he knows that his men have been shown the proof of yer consummation.”
“I shall hope they are satisfied.”
Helen patted her shoulder. “I suppose ye dinnae ken the way it is in Scotland but knowing that the lord took ye to his bed will keep any trouble from arising among those that want to steal ye.”
Anne stared at Helen but heard a few smothered sounds from the maids that sounded like laughter. “You must be mistaken. No one steals other humans.”
One of the maids did laugh outright. She tried to catch herself but her cheeks turned ruby. “Beg pardon, mistress.”
She didn’t sound contrite. The other girls grinned at her as well. Helen sighed.
“Well now, ye might as well share with the mistress since ye all but spit it out. Vanora here was born on McAlister land. They don’t like their daughters marring McJames men so her husband snuck her away by the harvest moon.”