Page 26 of To Wed a Laird
This is your favourite sister, Claire, writing to let you know that we are all well here. Of course, when I say “well” I mean that we are becoming quite good at dodging Father’s wrath most of the time. Amanda had a very convincing headache the other evening so that she could avoid having dinner with the poisonous old tyrant. She swears it was a real headache, but I have very serious doubts about that! As you know, the old miser has sold everything in the house that was not firmly attached to the floor or the wall.
I am seriously thinking about running away to sea, in case he decides that I am worth a few pounds and sells me. I would not put it past him.
Seriously, though, I miss you very much, and would love to hear from you with all your news. I need to know what your Laird is like. Is he a dragon? Is the little girl a spoiled brat who drives you crazy?
Please let me know.
I have been casting my eye around to see if there are any young swains who might be interested in me or Amanda so that we can escape this madhouse, but, so far, I have had no luck. All the men around here are as weak as water. Please write as soon as you can.
I love and miss you so much,
Claire
When she had read out Claire’s portion of the letter, Rose sat back and laughed heartily, shaking her head. “My sister Claire has a wicked sense of humour,” she said. “Whenever we go anywhere, we have to warn people in advance about her.”
Nell laughed. “She sounds like quite a character,” she observed.
“Amanda is too,” Rose said fondly, “but in a different way. She is much more tender. She began to read out what her other sister had written.
Dearest Rose,
I hope you are well. I think about you all the time and miss you very much. Home is not the same place without you. Do you think I could come and see you, or would your Laird not approve? Are all the Scots there as savage as everyone says?
I have been trying to find out, and every person I speak to tells me they are all very fierce and wild. I hope you can stay safe. I am looking around for work so that you do not have to shoulder the financial burden all by yourself, but I am not having any luck so far.
There is not much else happening here, except that Sooty has just had a new litter of kittens, and I am absolutely besotted with them—they are so beautiful.
Please write soon. I need to hear everything that is happening to you, my dearest sister. I am so worried.
With all my love,
Amanda.
Nell smiled. “I see what ye mean, hen,” she said. “They both love ye very much.”
“As I love them,” Rose said wistfully. “I wish they could come and see me.”
“Well, ye willnae be very much use tae them if ye dinnae eat,” Nell told her.
She set the tray on Rose’s lap and tucked a napkin under her chin. Rose smiled, loving the feeling of being cosseted. She began to eat the haggis, savouring its earthy texture and peppery taste.
“When I leave Scotland, I will have to take the recipe for haggis with me,” she remarked between mouthfuls. “I love it so much!”
Nell frowned. “Are ye thinkin’ o’ leavin’ us, hen?” she asked anxiously. “Because that will upset Elspeth somethin’ terrible.”
Rose shook her head. “No, Nell,” she replied, “but I probably will have to eventually.”
“Make sure it isnae too soon,” Nell warned. “Or Elspeth will have somethin’ tae say about it—an’ so will the Laird.”
She busied herself tidying the room for a moment, humming a little tune to herself, then, when she saw that Rose had finished her food, she poured them each a cup of tea.
“Tell me about your sisters,” Nell said, handing her one of the scones she had brought. “They sound like lovely lassies. Are they older than you?”
Rose shook her head. “No, I am the eldest,” she replied. “Claire is the youngest. She is eighteen years old, and Amanda is nineteen. As you can no doubt tell, they are complete opposites!” She laughed. “Claire is stubborn, forceful but funny, and Amanda has a heart of gold. She would give you the shirt offher back if you needed it, and has not a bad word to say about anyone.”
“She sounds like an angel,” Nell observed, sipping her tea.
Rose laughed softly. “No, definitely not, she has her faults. Claire is also very generous and loving, but she hides it more. They are the reason I came here.”
