Free Mysty McPartland by Black Warlock's Woman

you.” She said softly, she saw the surprise on the girl’s face and gave a smile of reassurance and relaxed when the girl gave a shy one in return. “What may I call you?” She asked the young maid.
    “My name is Janey , Mistress.” Janey blushed and ducked her head.
    “ Well I thank you, Janey, for bringing me my meal it was most kind of you.” Trista spoke to her with sincerity.
    Janey curtsied. “’Tis my job, Mistress, but I took special care selecting ye meal for I ken ye have nay eaten all day.”
    Feeling a slight blush warm her cheeks, she just nodded and watched the maid curtsy again and hurry away. She knew that she was being stared at but even though it made her uncomfortable, she was too hungry to worry about it.
    S he had nearly finished with her meal when the doors of the great hall were thrown open and her husband strode inside. Once his eyes gaze found hers, he glared across the room at her. Not at all intimidated and glaring back, she rose to her feet and with head held high, left the hall and went upstairs to her room. Caring little what her husband or his clan thought about her rude behavior.
    Once she was settled on the leather chair in front of the fire staring into the flames, wondering if Rieph would follow her up, but after a few minutes, realized that he was not going to and was relieved. Suddenly, she sat up when she heard a knock at the door and panicked. After the first frantic thought passed, she relaxed.
    What a silly twit she was, of course the Black Warlock would never knock on his own bedchamber door. She gave a grimace at her own foolishness. “Come in.” She called and when she saw that it was Mary and two lads with buckets of steaming hot water. She silently groaned knowing that he must have ordered himself a bath.
    Mary saw to the lads pouring the water, but every now and then snuck a glance at her mistress. She felt sorry for the young lass when she saw the pain in the lady’s large grey eyes. Once the lads finished she ushered them out went over to her mistress and curtsied. “Beggin ye pardon, me Lady, but ‘tis sure sorry we are that ye have had to face such a thing on ye weddin and if there be anything that I can do for ye, ye just have to let me ken.”
    Grateful for the understanding, Trista reached out ,  clasped the maid’s hand in hers and smiled weakly up at her. “I thank you, Mary, and I am sorry for all the trouble, but I don’t think there is anything anyone can do that would help.”
    Mary smiled reassuringly. “Aye, my Lady ‘tis a sorry thing but dinnae stay locked away and alone.” She knew that she might have over stepped her bounds, with a quick curtsy let go of her mistress’s hand and left the room.
    The unshed tears stung her eyes at Mary’s kind words, how much more shame must she suffer. It seemed the whole clan knew of the trouble between her and their laird. Fighting back the desire to cry, she glanced around the chamber and her eyes fell on the steaming bathtub. Quickly, she rose to her feet.
    No way in hell did she intend to stay here and watch her loathsome husband bath in front of her. Hastily she left the room. Glancing down the passage and to the stairs, she knew there was only one option, because she would not go back down to the great hall where her husband sat.
    Quietly moving along the hallway, she opened one door after another. Until she came to the end one and she found herself looking at a set of steps. It was dark, but she did not hesitate, she moved up the stairs and stood in front of another closed door.
    Her curiosity growing, she wondered what she would find. Slowly opening the door peeked inside, her breath caught in her throat. The room was flooded with moonlight and so large. She took the final step inside and with awe looked around.
    Against one wall sat a large bed, even larger than Rieph’s. On the opposite wall a massive fire place with two large chairs and a table sat in front. There were three large glass