Anaria’s reaction to the news of her castle assignment was much as Sarah had predicted. After being reassured she wouldn’t be on view or required to do anything other than the simplest food preparation she sighed. “Martha’s going to love having yet another thing to be superior about.” “You might want to point out you’re …
About two weeks after the snows had started John and Liam were called out on a task more than a day away through the forest, and when John returned to the cottage two evenings later, he came alone. “The lad’s gone to his family home for a few days, the old man who taught him …
Their return to the village was greeted by knowing grins and nudges over their clothing change. Expressions changed rapidly when Liam described the logjam burst and its aftermath. A check was done of all the villagers; the only person not within the village bounds was John, and he came striding into the square just as …
Anaria forgot all about the stream the moment she stepped inside the cottage. It was a little dusty and forlorn but was clearly kept ready to shelter anyone in need, in the same way as the hut on the road all those weeks ago. That was where the similarities ended. This cottage was a glorious …
Liam froze for a second, then wrapped his arms around her and started kissing her back, hard. Eventually, he broke off and buried his face in her neck, much as she had with him a number of times. She stroked his back, gently kissed the top of his head, and gave him smooth, soothing words …
They did take that day off about a week later. While Anaria was very slowly improving at most tasks, the holiday was declared after a second gardening session that had aggravated and infected one blister to the point that both Sarah and Maggie had declared her an official invalid for a day, only good for …
Anaria's astonished response was drowned by the yells of the village children as they finally tracked down their new favourite adult. The pair were swarmed as the children, fresh from the bath house, clamoured for stories. Anaria checked what preparations Sarah had intended for dinner, then promptly traded two stories for the group's help in …
Sarah was the only one there, and she looked over in sympathy, "If it helps at all, I think you've made the right decision. Best to keep going and make improvements now you've started, get a bit of momentum as it were. Maybe let him take you out for a day in a week or …
On the advice of the women around her, she added the apron to the tub, gratefully accepted the loan of a spare drying cloth to wrap around her front instead, and got to work. First on getting the worst of the dirt from the sheets and then moving both them and Maggie's washing through the …
Learning started as soon as they walked back through the front door of the cottage, Sarah directing her through the steps of full breakfast preparation. Sorting through one cupboard for plates and mugs, Anaria happened upon a couple of dishes that were either small bowls or large mugs without handles. She pulled them out with …
The DNA of Stories 