“Which is a little hard to believe.”
She chuckled. “I know. That makes it even harder to sound all appropriately sympathetic. I am offering him condolences about a man’s death when I feel no regret at all.”
“Is this the kind of thing ye are teaching us to do?”
“Yes. Writing a letter with your own hand has several advantages. You can say what you want without having to tell some other person what that is and you are certain the words you wanted are the right ones written down.”
“Good point.”
“I am sorry if you are finding it tedious.”
“Oh, nay. Weel, sometimes. But I have begun to see the advantages of kenning such things. I think it is just my age. Learning something new once ye are older than a schoolchild is hard, for many different reasons.”
Emily nodded. “It is easier for me to teach someone older, though, if only because you have the maturity to understand what I am trying to get across to you. Like the sounds of the letters.”
He started to nod, found that hurt too much, and just grunted his agreement. “For all our whining, I think my brothers and I are catching on faster than we thought we would.”
“You do not whine. You grumble.” She grinned when he gave her a fierce frown then reached out to pat his arm. “Just wait until you have enough skill to sit and read a book or even the newspaper, if they have one round here. Then you will find it much more enjoyable.”
“Robbie is the one who seems the most anxious to be able to sit and read a book.”
She nodded, recalling when the young man had once stated his wish to read a book. “I can still recall the first time I was able to just curl up in a chair and read, all by myself. It was a simple book for children but I was so pleased with myself.”
“Weel, teacher, we will soon prove your success, I am sure of it.”
“I am sure you will.”
She moved to help him have a drink of water. It was obvious he had already strengthened since the first time he had opened his eyes. She expected he would be up on his feet soon. That would be when they would have trouble holding him back from doing too much too soon. Recalling her own time of convalescence, she vowed to hold her patience with him. She would just remind herself of how she had suffered the same frustrations.
* * *
Emily stared at the man struggling to get his boots on and sighed. Repeating that reminder of her own troubles after being shot was wearing thin. She was sure she had not been as annoying as Iain was. He was pushing hard at the limits of her patience. Even though she was giving him private lessons on his writing and reading, she wished he was further ahead in the learning than he was. Having either skill would have at least given him something to do as he rested.
“Must you?” she asked on a sigh. He sat up straight and she saw how he had to steady himself.
“Aye. I am going mad just lying there with nothing to do,” he replied. “Worse, my mind keeps showing me all that needs doing before winter slips in.”
“I know. It is just that you are only a week away from being shot in the head.”
“At the head. Nay in. Aye, I ken it was a bad wound and could have been far worse than it was, but I am nay so weak I need to remain lying on my back and I have slept enough I could probably stay awake for days.”
“Please do not try.”
He laughed. “I ken I am nay healed. But I truly cannae just lie in this room any longer. Having all my brothers take turns to come in and keep me entertained is nay helping.” He had to smile when she blushed.
“They did not mind.”
“I ken it and it was good to hear what had been done. But I need to be moving around if only to tire me out. Last night I lay there for what felt hours before I could even keep my eyes closed. The mere thought of lying awake all night horrifies me, especially kenning my days are spent the same way.”
“I know.” She sighed. “I hated it as well. Just promise me you will sit still here for a few moments. You made yourself light-headed when you pulled on your boots and do not try to deny it.”
“I willnae,” he said, although he had been thinking to do so.
“Good. I will go down and start cooking something for you. Just sit quietly for a few moments and you can come down to sit in the kitchen and eat it. Would you pull the bell before you leave the room? It might be good for me to come and go down the stairs at your side.”
“Nay. There is a rail I can cling to. I cling to ye and we could end up doing more on the stairs than just walking down.” He laughed when she blushed bright red.
“Men,” she muttered, and went out the door.
