03 - The Wicked Lady Read Online Free PDF Page B

laugh, thinking it was the first time she'd felt this way in a long, long time. "I think I've died and gone tae heaven." She sighed, wiping the bubbles from her eyes.
    "It's only a bath, mum."
    "Tae ye maybe, but tae me, 'tis heaven. Ye wouldn't believe how many cold baths I've taken. Would you help me wash my hair?"
    "See, now you're getting the hang of it." Rebecca smiled for the first time and finally that worried look she'd been displaying disappeared.
    "I guess yer right."
    As Rebecca lathered Kristen's hair, she said, "I want to thank you for not saying anything about me sending you to the kitchen."
    "The way I see it," Kristen reached over and took Rebecca's hand in hers, "we're going tae be friends." Kristen squeezed Rebecca's arm. "I'll protect ye, and ye can protect me. Deal?"
    "Deal."
    "Ye know, I've never had a friend before."
    Rebecca broke into an open, friendly smile. "Well, you have one now."
    When the bath was finished -- much to Kristen's disappointment -- she sat patiently while Rebecca dried her hair in front of the fireplace. It was the end of March and the air still held the sting of cold. She felt so guilty indulging in all this pampering. Quickly, she banished the thought. She was probably dreaming, and someone was bound to wake her up shortly.
    "You have beautiful hair, mum."
    "I don't like it. 'Tis much tae thick and it 'tisn't the same color like everyone else's. I wish it was a lovely brown or black."
    "But that's what makes it so different. It shimmers like gold, yet it sparkles with fire. When we have more time, I'll arrange it in a different way for you."
    "I guess I better get dressed so we can go out." Kristen stood up, dreading to put back on her old dress, but knowing she had no choice. "Have ye ever been tae this place before?"
    "Oh no, mum."  Rebecca rushed over to get Kristen's dress. "But I get to go with you today to help advise you." She held the dress up for Kristen. "I'm kind of excited to be going for an outing."
    "It will be nice tae have your company."
    "Do you want to see yerself in the looking glass before we go?"
    "Looking glass?"
    "Yes, mum. To see how you look." Rebecca pointed to the mirror at the far end of the room. Kristen hadn't even noticed it this morning.
    Rebecca’s eyebrows raised inquiringly. "Surely you've seen your reflection before?"
    Kristen felt her checks heat. "Actually, I've only seen myself in store windows. We never had need of such things."
    Rebecca took Kristen's elbow and guided her to the long mirror. "Well, it is truly a shame because you are very beautiful."
    Kristen stared at her reflection with the fascination of a child seeing something truly rare for the first time. Hesitantly, she reached up and touched her face. When had she grown up? The years all seemed a blur, and it was sad to think that she didn't remember any of them being happy.
    "Why do you look so sad?" Rebecca said, bringing Kristen out of her trance. "You have to be pleased with a face like yours."
    "I know this sounds silly . . ." Kristen touched her cheeks. "But 'tis hard tae believe 'tis really me." She turned to her new friend. "I've not lived a very normal life, I'm afraid."
    The connecting door sprang open, and Hagan barged in. "Did you have to take a bath too, Kristen?"
    Kristen's hand fell to her side, the mirror forgotten. "Aye, the tub 'twas a big one."
    "Aye.  I told that Ruby lady that I could wash myself 'cause I'm a big boy."
    "You are that." Rebecca smiled.
    "Who are you?" Hagan's curiosity immediately registered in his eyes.
    "I'm your sister's maid."
    "Huh?"
    "Sorry, Rebecca, but everythin' has tae be explained tae my brother." Kristen turned to Hagan. "She's going to help me with my clothes and hair and accompany me when I go places. She's called a lady's maid."
    "You mean help you get dressed like you used to help me?" He giggled, truly enjoying himself.
    "That's right."  Kristen said and waited for the next why.
    "Why?"
    "Hagan!"  Her smiled faded replaced