Spluttering and splashing, Taliesin resurfaced and pushed sopping hair out of his face. Bellflower nodded, satisfied with her handiwork. She spun to face Rhiannon once more, and the princess flinched away from her approach. The woman only smiled, however, and took the princess’s hand far more gently than she had grabbed her employer. Bellflower then led Rhiannon into the house.
The housekeeper ushered Rhiannon down a quaint hall papered in the color of a light afternoon tea. After depositing their guest in a cozy sitting room, Bellflower set about seeing to Rhiannon’s comfort. Once the pillows were plumped and a cheerful fire crackled in the grate, the housekeeper vanished into a room across the hall.
At a loss, Rhiannon waited in a stupor until the servant returned carrying a tea tray laden with snacks. Behind her, a soaked-to-the-bone Taliesin dripped water all over the polished wooden floor. Bellflower mutely set down the tray and poured a cup of chamomile tea for Rhiannon before rounding on her employer.
Again with that iron grip, she snagged his sleeve and dragged him away. He sputtered, “Bells!” but Rhiannon heard no more with the parlor door shutting.
Out in the hall, Bellflower released him and crossed her arms. Her foot kept a steady tempo as she quirked an eyebrow up at her much taller employer. Taliesin held up his hands placatingly. “It was a little last minute. She’s had a tough time of it, and she’ll be staying for a while.”
The woman’s eyes narrowed at him.
“You can blame my mother,” he continued. “She’s the one who started all of this by forcing His Majesty to engage Rhiannon to me. I didn’t realize the rumors were real, or I’d have warned you months ago.”
Bellflower studied him a few moments longer. After a deafening silence, she nodded curtly.
Taliesin breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Bells.”
She smacked his shoulder and pointed first at the floor, then up the stairs.
Taliesin followed her finger to the puddle on the floor. “Right, right. I’ll go change.”
Back in the little sitting room, Rhiannon sat on the edge of her seat while nibbling a tea cookie. She rose when the door reopened, half expecting Taliesin. Instead, she found Bellflower. Awkwardly, Rhiannon dipped into a polite curtsy and said, “I must apologize for causing you so much trouble on my behalf.”
The smile told Rhiannon the gray-clad woman appreciated the gesture. She continued, “If it pleases you, may I introduce myself properly?”
Rhiannon didn’t receive a response in words. Rather, the housekeeper nudged the princess to stand tall once more and gestured for her to follow. Across the hall was a bathroom with copper tile and a large tub. The bath was already filled with steaming water.
While the servant bustled about retrieving fluffy towels from the linen closet, Rhiannon asked, “Did you... I mean, was this not prepared for Taliesin?”
Bellflower nodded, unbothered as she hung the towels.
“Then he should clean up first. I can wait.”
To this, Bellflower shook her head and retrieved a jar filled with a sandy substance. She tipped the contents into the bath and instantly the scent of lavender and roses filled the room.
Thinking this was all because Taliesin had upset her, Rhiannon pleaded, “Please don’t be angry with him. I insisted I come here.”
The silent woman placed a finger on the princess’s lips. The mischievous twinkle in her eye made Rhiannon wonder if Bellflower cared about having an unexpected guest at all. Perhaps she’d just used it as an excuse to get testy with her employer on a lark.
Once more, she motioned for Rhiannon to enjoy the bath. Then the housekeeper left her to her own devices.
Rhiannon hesitated a moment more, but between the dust from the road still clinging to her skin and the inviting aroma from the steaming water, her resolve crumbled. She would be quick, she decided, so Taliesin wouldn’t even notice she’d gone first.
That plan failed miserably. As soon as she’d settled, Rhiannon nodded straight off.
A knock at the door woke her sometime later. Thoroughly embarrassed, Rhiannon called back, “One moment!” as she reached for the towel.
The door opened anyway, and Bellflower stepped in carrying fresh clothes. She curtsied and arranged the unfamiliar things upon the side table. Soft green fabric so fine it bordered on the impossible made up the dinner dress laid out for her. The sleeves hung loose from shoulder to elbow, ending in cuffs with pearl buttons. Stepping into glass slippers reminded Rhiannon of all those fairy stories she’d indulged in as a child.
“Is it all right for me to wear this?” she asked over her shoulder.
Bellflower nodded and continued to button the dress up the back.
“Um, pardon my asking, but...are you mute?”
Again, the woman nodded.
From outside the dressing area, she heard Taliesin say, “Bellflower is a silkie.”
Rhiannon’s eyes widened. No wonder she hadn’t said a word! Growing up, Rhiannon had heard about the magical Fae that served households, but never had she dreamed of meeting one in person. Like brownies, the silkie were a Fae that preferred home and hearth to the wilds, and loyally served the families of the houses they called home. Normally, they did all this while their chosen families slept. The most one could detect of their presence was the rustle of their silk dresses just out of sight.
Noticing her stare, Bellflower smiled. She didn’t seem offended to have been outed. If anything, she looked amused. Finishing her task of buttoning up the back, she gave the princess another nudge, this time to leave the safety of the dressing room.
Rather than return to the parlor, Bellflower danced past Taliesin to another room, this one a dining room. Two place settings had already been laid out upon the finely crafted chestnut table. Sparkling crystal wine goblets filled with ruby red wine befitting a grand feast stood tall next to each plate. A whole roast goose sat beside a daintily trussed rack of lamb. A bowl held a pile of roasted potatoes. Another to the left steamed with glazed carrots. All in all, far too much food for just two people. Rhiannon took it all in with wide-eyed wonder while Taliesin just shook his head.