Page 40 of Sighs of the Highland Wind
For the moment, everyone seemed to have forgotten about Kenna. She was not quite sure what was going to happen next, but she supposed she would be sent to the servants’ quarters to spend the night. She was uncomfortably aware that she had no clean clothes and was probably filthy.
“Kenna.” Maxwell had noticed her anxiety. “What is wrong?”
“I was wondering where I am supposed to sleep,” she answered. “I did not see a door to the servants’ quarters.”
“Good,” Maxwell stated. “Because you are not sleeping there. You will have one of the guest chambers, a bath, and a change of clothes, then a proper dinner with Lindsey and me. Tomorrow we will go back and explain things to the McDonalds.”
Things were happening so fast that Kenna could barely take them in all in at once.
“A guest chamber? For me?” she asked, stupefied. “But I have never slept in anything but my own bedroom in my life. Maxwell, I cannot!”
“You can, and you will,” he said firmly. “Kenna, you speak and act like a lady, you are intelligent, and you are beautiful. You will match the bedroom perfectly, and you deserve to be pampered for once.”
Kenna had no words, but Maxwell could tell by the wonder on her face how grateful she was. She was like a child being shown a nursery of new toys, he thought, feeling infinitely sorry for her. He knew then that he wanted to—had to—help her. He might not be able to change her whole life, but he could repay her in some small way until he thought of something better.
18
Ashort while later, Kenna found herself seated at the dinner table with Maxwell, Lindsey, her husband James, and Laird Forbes himself. She had been bathed by a lady’s maid and had her hair done, then was helped into a lovely pink day dress. Although the garment was plain and modest, it was the most expensive dress she had ever worn, and it made her feel like a princess. She guessed it had been one of Lindsey’s since it was a little short, and she was very grateful for the kindness Maxwell’s sister had shown her.
Laird Forbes was a slightly older version of his son, but he was a stern and authoritative man, and Kenna was quite intimidated by him at first. However, as the meal drew on, he came out of his shell and displayed a gruff kindness to her, although Kenna had no doubt that he looked on her as an inferior being.
James Gilchrist, Lindsey’s husband, was quiet and mild-mannered, in stark contrast to his fiery wife, but Kenna could see the shining love between them, and she was envious. She did not mind being poor, but she had wished many times that shecould enjoy the same kind of passion she saw between couples like this.
Yet she knew that the man who was sitting across from her, his handsome face once again freshly shaved, his shaggy hair shining and clean, was the one for her, the only man she would ever love. The thought no longer came as a shock to her, and neither did the familiar surge of sadness that such a love could never be.
“Did you enjoy your meal?” Maxwell asked, smiling at her after they had left the dining room.
“It was delicious,” Kenna replied. “Not like the fare I usually eat at all.”
“Is the servants’ food bad at Invercree?” he asked curiously.
“Oh, not at all!” Kenna hastened to reassure him. “It is plainer without so many spices and so much meat, but there is plenty of it, and I am sure it is the same here. I have always been quite happy with my diet.”
“Good. Perhaps I should look into the quality of our staff’s food too,” he said thoughtfully.
“I don’t wish to be rude, but I am afraid I cannot stay awake a moment longer.” Kenna yawned. “It has been a very long day.”
She wished her hosts goodnight, and Maxwell escorted her to the door of her chamber.
“Sleep well, love,” he murmured, before planting a soft kiss on her forehead.
“Goodnight, Maxwell.” Kenna turned and entered the beautiful room, but she was too exhausted to admire it. It was time tolay her head on a soft, comfortable pillow and look up at a beautifully carved and molded ceiling and lie in a soft feather bed with silk drapes around it. Kenna had no idea what the morning would bring, but she could worry about it no more. When she closed her eyes, sleep came to claim her almost at once.
Maxwell descended the stairs at once to say goodnight to everyone, but when he entered the dining room, he found that Lindsey and James had already left, and only the stern figure of his father sat at the head of the table.
“Goodnight, Father,” he said politely, turning to leave.
“Not so fast, Son,” Laird Forbes said firmly. “Sit.” He patted the chair on his right-hand side. “I need to talk to you.”
Maxwell sat down obediently and poured them both a glass of ale. He raised his eyebrows. “What can I do for you, Father?”
“Son, before you go, I want to make sure you understand what you are doing.”
He sighed heavily and looked up at Maxwell with a look he had never seen before in his father’s eyes. It was a guarded kind of love.
“If anything happens to you, what will happen to your inheritance? The estate? The castle?”
“Lindsey will inherit. I know she is a woman, but it is not unheard of.” He sipped his wine to avoid his father’s eyes. “Butnothing will happen to me, Father. I would not be going there if I believed otherwise.”
