The maids jumped, splashing water onto the floor. They turned, eyes wide, to see the Lady of the house standing in the kitchen doorway in her nightclothes, her hair wild, her chest heaving.
Edith spun around. She was startled, her hand flying to her throat.
"My… My Lady?" Edith stammered. "Is there a problem? Is your illness…"
Ines didn't explain. She walked forward, grabbed Edith's hand, and pulled.
"Come with me," Ines said.
She dragged the confused maid out of the kitchen, ignoring the shocked stares of the scullery girls. She pulled Edith into the cool, quiet pantry hallway, away from the prying ears.
Ines stopped. She leaned against the wall, placing her hands on her knees, trying to take in air. She was panting, not just from the run, but from the sheer, terrifying audacity of what she was about to do.
"Ahh… ahh…" she gasped.
Edith looked at her mistress. She saw the flush on Ines's cheeks. She saw the wild light in her eyes. It wasn't illness. It was something else.
