Page 28 of To Wed a Laird
The only people who matter to me here are Elspeth, the little girl I am looking after, the Laird, and Nell, who is an old servant that treats me like a daughter. You would have loved Elspeth, Claire. She is just like you—fierce, fiery and stubborn, always wants her own way, but since I came, she very rarely gets it.
When I first came here she was very withdrawn, but she seems to have come out of her shell a lot, and we get on very well. Nell seems to think it’s because of my influence, but I think she may be exaggerating a little.
As for the Laird, I have to tell you that I have never seen a more handsome man in my life. He is very tall, he towers over every other man here, and he is big and muscular. All the maidservants love him! He has long black hair and stunning blue eyes, but I think he is still grieving for his wife, who died a few years ago. Sometimes he can be very fierce, but he is very kind when no one is looking.
In case you are fretting about me, let me tell you that I am very happy here. In fact, sometimes I wish I could stay here forever.
Lots of love to both of you, my dearest sisters, from your own,
Rose
She re-read the letter several times and sealed it before she decided to make any more corrections, knowing that she might spend all day doing so.
She had struggled to reach her bed, and thought how wonderful it would be if Cormac came to lift her up and place her gently onto it, as he had done in the sick room. She wished he would come and fall asleep with her—just to hold her. What would it be like to be wrapped in those strong arms? She would never know.
CHAPTER TWELVE
After ten daysof lying in bed, during which time Rose was fizzing with frustration, she was finally able to rise from bed, since her ankle was no longer giving her much pain. Nell had been bringing her meals, but there had been no sign of Cormac.
Rose was determined not to say anything about his absence, even though she missed him terribly and felt that he might be avoiding her. It was obvious he did not blame her for Elspeth’s accident, but he was always immersed in work, so perhaps he was simply too busy.
“I missed our lessons,” Elspeth told her when she finally went back to her room. “Especially our French lessons.”
“Moi aussi,” Rose replied, pulling a mock-sad face. “Me too.”
Elspeth laughed and hugged her. “I am so glad you are back, Rose,” she said happily. “I missed you.”
“But you came to see me every day.” Rose was puzzled.
“It wasn’t the same,” Elspeth declared. “You were always so sleepy.”
Rose laughed. “Well, Mademoiselle, my foot is nearly better now, but I will not be able to run for a while.”
Elspeth’s eyes glinted with mischief as she said, “Then I will win all the prizes when we race!”
“Not fair!” Rose protested, laughing.
They worked their way through the lessons, then Elspeth announced suddenly, “I’m hungry, Rose.”
Rose looked at her suspiciously. “Just when the cook has baked a batch of treacle scones? How convenient!”
Elspeth giggled again, and Rose sighed. “All right then,” she said resignedly, “but just one.”
Elspeth nodded, and they made their way to the kitchen, and soon they were munching on the sweet cakes that were covered in fresh butter. Elspeth finished hers speedily, having crammed most of it into her mouth all at once, and was about to ask for another when she saw Nell.
Nell frowned at the sight of her and dusted crumbs from her face, shaking her head, then she looked up at Rose, smiling. “The Laird wants tae see ye,” she told her.
Rose was puzzled. “He has not seen me in days,” she said. “Am I in trouble?”
Nell smiled mischievously. “Go an’ see,” she said.
Rose was slightly reassured by Nell’s smile, but she was still nervous as she made her way to Cormac’s study and knocked on the door. She was surprised, a moment later, when he opened it himself instead of calling for her to enter.
He reached out to take her arm as if she might need support, looking concerned. “How are you?” he asked. “Are you still in pain?”
Rose shook her head. “Not much,” she answered. “I think perhaps I should not try running or dancing, but I have no plans to do either, so I am fine. Thank you for asking, My Laird.”
Rose bit her lip nervously and looked away from him as she said, “You wanted to see me, My Laird?”
