Page 29 of The Icy Highlander's Bride
"Please, daenae worry. I'm merely tryin' to get to ken everyone here. So the Laird isnae friendly with the staff?"
Gen seemed to really think about this. It made Lana like her even more. She could tell the maid wasn't someone who would easily follow gossip or make negative statements without cause.
"He is… distracted," the girl finally answered. "He keeps to himself. He isnae unkind, but my mother says he doesnae speak with us the way Lady Evelyn used to."
"I see." Lana nodded. "Then he's always like that? Is he always brooding?"
Once again, Gen tried to choose her words carefully before speaking. But this time, before she could speak, a little voice cried out behind them.
"Aye, if brooding means serious."
Lana spun around to see Skye's small figure standing there, her hands on her hips in a way that looked far too mature for a child.
"Lady Skye!" Gen was on her feet immediately. "Ye shouldnae enter a room without permission."
Lana saw the girl look up at Gen with large, round eyes. She even pushed out her bottom lip in a slight pout.
"I'm sorry, Gen," Skye murmured. "But the door was open."
That this was true. When Genevieve had entered, they had forgotten to close the door. Lana knew the temptation would be far too much for a curious little girl who had someone new in her home.
"Even so, ye must knock. Come, let's give the Lady some privacy."
"Oh, Gen," Skye cried out. Lana felt the girl's eyes on her, rather than Gen, as she pleaded. "Please, can I stay? We've never had any guests as long as I've lived."
"Ye ken that's nae true," Gen scolded. She took the girl's hand and started leading her toward the door.
Daniel's words rang in Lana's ears. She knew he would want her to let Gen lead Skye away without a word. But everything inside her was telling her to stop them. After all, Daniel expected her to teach his daughter how to be a proper lady. Shouldn't she do what she could to get to know her?
"Wait," Lana said, standing up. Skye looked at her like she was an angel sent from heaven. It nearly made her laugh. "Ye daenae need to leave."
With a twist of her wrist, Skye released herself from Gen's grasp. She rushed forward and threw herself into the plush chair next to Lana's.
"Skye," Gen warned, surprised by the girl's boldness.
Lana shook her head. "It's alright," she assured the maid. "She can sit wherever she likes."
Skye looked over at her and beamed, showing a missing front tooth.
"Ye daenae mind, Me Lady?"
"Nay. Why do ye nae leave us, Gen? I'm sure ye have other work to get back to."
Gen considered this. She looked at Skye, who was bouncing her legs against the cushion of the chair, and then back at Lana.
"If ye are sure, Me Lady."
"Aye." Lana nodded.
"Very well. Dinner should be ready soon. I'll come get ye."
"Thank ye, Gen."
The maid cast a final glance at Skye and then exited, closing the door behind her.
Finding herself alone with the girl, Lana suddenly felt nervous. What should they talk about? But she soon realized that the child had no shortage of topics.
"Isnae this room beautiful?" Skye asked.
