Page 22 of The Icy Highlander's Bride
Of course, the lass doesnae wait for the driver. She must push the door open herself.
Cameron gave a slight bow as Lana climbed out of the carriage, with a frantic driver rushing to help her. Daniel followed suit, bending his head as her mother gracefully exited the carriage. When he looked up, Lana's eyes were on him, full of the energy and anxiety he also felt bubbling inside him.
"Me brother, Cameron," Daniel announced, quickly taking his eye off Lana.
He fell into formal introductions, wanting to wrap up this strange first meeting as quickly as possible. But Cameron stepped forward to take each woman's hand, forcing him to wait before continuing.
"And this is the housekeeper, Silvers."
The old woman gave a warm smile to Lana and her mother. "Welcome, me child," she said, extending her hand.
But Daniel continued before she could extend the greetings further.
"Ye'll take the Lady's chambers," he announced. "Silvers will take ye there. It hasnae been used for many years, so feel free to change what ye would like. It is yers now."
He glanced at Lana to see if this pleased her, but her expression was neutral. He caught her eyes tracing up the walls of the castle, as if gauging how tall they were.
"Once ye rest, child, we can discuss what changes ye would like to make," Silvers assured her. "And we have many decisions to make for yer weddin'. We have some decorations set up for ye to see."
"Thank ye," Lana said, smiling kindly at her.
Daniel couldn't help feeling jealous of the housekeeper. He wanted that warm, radiant smile to be directed at him.
"The women are tired, Silvers," he interjected abruptly, as if someone had suggested a tour of the castle. He noticed the amused expression on Cameron's face.
"Of course, Me Laird," Silvers said. "I'll show them?—"
"Uncle Cam!" The cry rang out in the air, and Skye darted out of the castle, running toward her uncle.
"Skye!" Daniel cried, but he didn't need to stop her.
At the sight of the carriage and the strangers in front of her, his daughter dug her heels into the ground and stopped. She stood stock still, cowering behind her uncle's leg, as she stared directly at her father's new bride.
10
"Hello, there," Lana greeted gently. She could see the girl was fearful, and she wanted to put her at ease.
"What have I told ye about runnin'?" Daniel chided, his voice dark and stern.
The little girl looked over at him as her eyes grew wide. Lana sensed her hesitation, a true weighing of her options in the face of her stern father, and then the girl spoke up.
"I wanted to meet the ladies," Skye told him, full of honesty and eagerness that made Lana smile.
Lana worried Daniel would chastise the girl further, so she jumped in, hoping to smooth out the meeting.
"Surely ye've been excited about somethin' at some point in yer life, Me Laird?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
But Daniel's face was like stone. She couldn't tell what he was feeling.
Deciding that the little girl's opinion was much more important than her father's, Lana hiked up her skirts and knelt, putting herself at eye level with the little girl.
"I'm Lana," she said, smiling at the child. "What's yer name?"
"Skye," the girl replied. She took a step toward Lana. "I'm four."
"Very mature for a four-year-old!" Lana praised, raising her eyebrows.
Her surprise was partially genuine, as she would have guessed the little lady in front of her was a good two years older.
