A copper tub full of steaming water sat before a small hearth. Pegs were mounted right into the stone on one wall, and a wooden trunk had been placed underneath. The bed took up most of the small space. She went to check it out, thrilled to find it held a feather mattress covered in linen and thick woolen blankets. One tall, narrow window graced the outside wall. The shutter had been left open, letting in the daylight and fresh air.
She emptied her duffel onto the bed and took inventory. She had one other gown besides the one she wore, plus another chemise. Assessing her supply of soap, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, she mentally calculated how long they’d last. A small bag of Ocean Spray Craisins and an apple she’d forgotten about were stuffed into the bottom. She snatched up the full box of tampons and hugged it to her chest. “Score!”
Anything futuristic, like her laptop and cell phone, she wrapped in her street clothes and stuffed back into the canvas duffel. No one discovering the items would have any idea what they’d stumbled onto, but she didn’t want to have to explain. If she told her hosts she’d been sent back in time…A shudder wracked her at the thought of where such a revelation might lead. For now, she’d hide her electronic gadgets at the bottom of the trunk. Her beads and sewing supplies would be fine on top. She wrapped them in the yard of tanned deer hide she carried with her for beading projects. Everything else, sheet music, her purse and a few books, would go into the middle.
Alethia undressed and sank into the hot water, sending thoughts of gratitude to the kind soul who’d arranged for the bath. Once she was done washing, she stood up and reached for the large piece of cloth draped over the one chair in the room, dried off and dressed in the cleanest of her two gowns.
Alethia smoothed the wrinkles from the garnet-hued fabric. She’d beaded the bodice with black onyx around the squared neckline and along the tops of the removable sleeves. She loved creating her costumes for the Renaissance fairs. Next to music, sewing and beading were her favorite pastimes. Her grandmother and aunties had taught her everything they knew. Running her fingers lovingly over the intricate beadwork, she felt connected to all the generations of Goodsky women preceding her.
She’d just sat down before the hearth to begin working a comb through her wet tangles when someone knocked on the door. She crossed the chamber and opened it a crack, keeping her foot firm against the base.
Beth, the young woman who had led her to the room, smiled and curtsied. “There’s to be a feast this eve, milady, and I’m to help ye make yerself ready.”
“Oh, thanks.” The tension she’d been holding eased, and Alethia stepped back. “I can manage.”
“Och, for certes ye can, but the young lord gave his orders, and I’ll no’ be slacking on me duties.” Beth hustled her over to the chair and gently pushed her down by the shoulders. “Since ye’ve already dressed, I’ll tend to yer hair.” She snatched up the linen and began a vigorous squeezing and rubbing of Alethia’s scalp. “’Tis an honor to be chosen to look after ye. All the other maids are pea-green with envy. I’ll no’ be lettin’ the lord down, or it’s back to the kitchen with me.”
“You don’t like working in the kitchen?”
“Nay, milady. Cook is as prickly as a thistle stalk.”
“Oh.” Alethia couldn’t help but smile as Beth chattered on. She had to hold her hand up by her nose more than once as her hair was arranged in an elaborate braided coronet around her head. Judging by her body odor, Beth rarely bathed.
“Ye’ve the loveliest hair, milady.”
“I use a special soap. I’d be happy to share it with you.” She turned to gauge the younger woman’s reaction, catching the doubtful look in her eyes.
“We’d best be on our way. They’ll be waitin’ to serve until ye take yer place upon the dais.”
She’d be sitting with the laird and his family? Her gown had marked her as nobility. Still, they had no idea what her rank was, and nobility didn’t guarantee a place on the dais. Because of the family’s assumptions, she would be treated well, at least until the truth came out.
That thought sent her heart fluttering. What would she say when someone finally got around to asking questions? Oh, and by the way, I come to you live from the twenty-first century. Ta-da! Nope, that little tidbit she’d keep to herself. No way did she want to be associated with sorcery or witchcraft.
Beth hustled her down the narrow stairs to the great hall. It seemed to Alethia the entire clan had gathered, or at least all those who lived on the island. Besides the long table she’d noticed earlier, another had been created by placing planks on top of barrels. She squelched the urge to run for the hills and squared her shoulders. Her eyes were drawn to the dais, where she found Malcolm’s intense gaze fixed on her. He’d bathed, shaved and changed into a clean linen shirt with billowing sleeves and a kilt in brilliant crimson, dark green and white. He wore his hair tied back at the nape of his neck. Lord, he cleaned up real nice. She lost her breath and the ability to move. Beth nudged her forward. One side of Alpha-Jerk’s mouth quirked up.