Page 23 of The Highlander's Auctioned Hellion
“Ye speak funny,” Eilis said, dropping the dress now that no one was paying attention to her. “Why dae ye speak like that?”
“Well, I’m from England. That’s why it sounds funny to you.”
“Is that where ye met uncle?” Amy asked.
“Yes.”
“What’s England like?” Eilis probed.
“Well, there are many balls and dances there, but not quite so many hills as the Highlands. It is not as beautiful as this place, that is for certain.” The little girls seemed pleased by that. “Does your uncle like to dance?”
Eilis shrugged. “We dinnae ken. We hadnae seen him for a long time, only ever heard of him from our nursemaid.”
Lydia raised her eyebrows.
Where was he before he came here?
According to Hannah, Isla and Duncan had been with him for some time, but he had not lived in this castle. Had he not known his nieces until recently?
The more she learned of the Laird’s life, the more confused she became.
What happened to their parents? What happened to his face?
“I see,” she said slowly.
“Dae ye miss yer parents?” Eilis asked, studying her as her eyes moved over Lydia with interest.
The twins reminded her of Tommy; they had the same inquisitive nature that her brother possessed. She felt a pang of loneliness as she thought of his constant questions whenever they were together—she already missed him, and it had only been a few hours.
“I miss my mother,” she replied. “But not my father.” The little girls exchanged sad glances. “I assume you miss yours?” she hazarded.
“Aye,” Amy said thoughtfully. “But we also missed Mother when she was here, so it is nae so very different.”
“Dae ye have any sisters?” Eilis asked, holding out her little hand to Amy, who took it immediately. The simple gesture made Lydia’s chest ache, and she shook her head.
“No sisters, just one brother, Tommy, who is very mischievous.”
Eilis and Amy giggled behind their hands. It was one of the most endearing things Lydia had ever seen.
The girls exchanged a conspiratorial glance, and then Eilis stepped forward.
“Dae ye think Uncle is mean?” Eilis asked. “I heard some of the maids in the kitchen callin’ him a beast yesterday.”
Lydia was so startled by the question that she could only pause to think of the best way to respond. She did not have a chance, however, as a booming voice echoed through the room.
“Ye shouldnae be botherin’ our guest with questions.”
Callum watched as both the girls froze and spun round to face him.
Lydia’s face clouded with guilt, her mouth still hanging open from where she had been about to answer the question.
What would she have said if I had left it a little longer?
Callum did not like to think of what her answer might have been.
This petite, raven-haired young woman had arrived in his life without a trace of disgust at his appearance.
Shock, yes, confusion at his scars—certainly—but she had never looked at him as if she thought he were a beast.
