Page 33 of When a Highlander Vows
“Well, the other day, she seemed upset when Colin and I were in the garden, lookin’ at the roses. I thought perhaps she needed them for somethin’ special.”
With a hearty laugh, Arla shook her head. “Nay. This is what the petals are for. She lets the maids come and take them as they need.” Arla winked at her. “I suspect Miss Paige doesnae like havin’ a bonnie lass about.”
Heaving herself off her knees, Arla smiled down at Caitlin. “Get cleaned up, and I’ll be back in a little while to help ye dress.”
“Thank ye, Arla,” Caitlin called as she sank into the water.
Once she was downstairs, she stepped outside to take her usual walk around the castle, Fallow instantly at her heels, having gotten used to the habit.
“Good morn’ to ye, Lad,” she said, ruffling his ears as he barked with delight.
The day was chilly albeit bright, and with the wind on her face, Caitlin smiled. After her rest and her admission of her sadness about Seamus, she felt like a little weight was being lifted from her shoulders.
It would take time, but bit by bit she could let a piece of her grief go, however tiny. She knew that Seamus would hate it if he found her sad for the rest of her days, even though right then, it felt like that was very possible.
As she rounded the back of the castle, she spotted a figure walking toward her.
“Lottie,” she said, smiling as the old woman approached her and took her arm.
“Me dear, the servants told me of yer habit to walk in the mornings with Fallows, and I thought I would join ye. Paige thinks it a fine idea to get the limbs movin’ and the blood flowin’. It will help these blasted hands of mine.”
Lottie held up one hand, and Caitlin noticed that they did look slightly swollen. “Dae they give ye very great pain?”
“Only at times. It depends. But I willnae be stopped when time comes to dance at yer feast.”
“That is good, Lottie,” Caitlin smiled as they continued their stroll. “It is soon, is it nae. I hope me letter will reach me friends in time.”
“I have made sure the messenger was sent hastily on his way, me dear. Ye willnae be disappointed.”
“Thank ye. Ye have been so kind. I am afraid that I am nae very good with crowds, however. After losing me sight so long ago, I have lived and spoken with so few people. I am afraid to embarrass ye.”
Lottie threw back her head and laughed, the sound as bright and cheerful as sunshine. “Lucas had it right. Ye are the perfect companion for me, me dear. Ye are endlessly entertainin’!”
Frowning, Caitlin cocked her head to the side. “What dae ye mean?” She wasn’t aware that she’d anything funny.
“Ye could never embarrass me. First, ye daenae ken what stock I hail from, nor what me husband and children were like. However, that is little matter. Ye are kind, and kindness is never embarrassing. Daenae fash yerself about yer shyness, Lass. I am sure with a few cups of wine, ye will be dancin’ and laughin’ with the rest of them.”
“I hope so. Thank ye for walkin’ with me,” Caitlin said.
“Aye, it is nay trouble. I dae enjoy it. The breeze is quite refreshin’.”
“Lottie, might ye tell me somethin’?”
“Of course. Tell me whatever ye like. We are to be a family of a sort, after all.”
A little warmth blossomed in her heart when she heard that.
She asked, “I dinnae get a chance to see Lucas to ask about the skirmishes. Is everythin’ all right?”
“Aye, I believe so, for now. I daenae ken that much either. But I think it had somethin’ to do with a clan on the other side. There were a few farmers fightin’ about the border, as I suspected. Weapons and the like. The English were too slow to come andsolve it, and so me grandson had to go. As he should. ‘Tis his land, anyway.”
“Quite right. Well, I am glad he is returned all well and in one piece.”
“How dae ye ken that?” Lottie asked, her eyes sparkling wickedly.
Caitlin blushed instantly. “I did see him briefly. He passed me when I was in the library. It was he who took me to bed, told me to rest.”
Lottie turned, facing Caitlin with a broad smile. “Me grandson took ye to bed, did he?”
