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At the Innkeeper's reprimand, Saeryn's face grew hot. Quick tears sprang to her eyes at the insinuation that she had anything less than honorable intentions. All she had meant was to spare the hungry girl public attention that she may not be comfortable in...
Her mouth worked fruitlessly for a moment before the tears let loose. "Mistress Bethberry, I am so sorry. I did not mean for it to look... however it looked." Saeryn looked terrified, Æòelhild even more so. "I just... I found her... in the stable. And thought she might like to join me for breakfast. And then... I thought she might like something else to wear maybe... so I brought her to my room. I didn't mean to seem deceitful, ma'am." Her lower lip trembled as she tried to hastily blink away the tears that she had not known she had.
She felt like she had been caught in the midst of a terrible crime, and had not expected it in the least. All she wanted was for Bethberry to say that all was well, but how could she be sure all was when the Innkeeper who had so swiftly earned her respect was looking at her in such a disappointed way.
"I'm sorry ma'am... I... didn't think. Please don't think it was Æòel's fault... I invited her. If there is blame..." more tears leaked. After all, Saeryn was just a girl, though just barely... she was nearly alone in the world and was still very confused as to just where her place in it was. "Blame me."
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