He could see now that the fierce, sharp-tongued woman that he had brought there as a means to an end was hiding a core of great gentleness, and for the first time something else occurred to him. If she had had a good mother, could she become one herself? He was almost stunned. The question of children had never occurred to him before.
Maisie sighed. “I wish my Mammy had been able tae dae that for me,” she said sadly.
“You might not have your Mammy,” Eliza said, smiling, “but you have me. First, we can make you a Sunday dress, then we can start on some clothes for the village children. Would you like that?”
Maisie’s face lit up in a beaming smile. “I would love that, Milady!”
“Good!” Eliza replied. “Now pick out some fabric in a colour you like, and we can get started.”
Maisie picked out a piece of plain blue woollen fabric and Eliza matched it with some thread, then they both walked away, smiling with satisfaction.
As soon as they were out of sight, Duncan went over to the stall and spoke to the stallholder, who was thrilled that the Laird was looking at her wares.
Duncan asked for her advice and picked out the items he wanted with great care. As he was leaving, he slipped a few coins into the woman’s hands, and she gazed at him, wide-eyed with gratitude and amazement, since he had given her a very generous tip.
“Thank ye, M’Laird,” she breathed, as she put the coin into the pouch on her belt. “You are sae good tae us.”
She was a small elderly woman, and Duncan knew that a few shillings would last her for weeks.
He smiled at her. “‘Tis only my duty,” he answered with a smile.
14
As Duncan was walking towards his stallion to start the journey back home, Eliza stepped out in front of him.
“My Laird,” she said with mock deference and a small curtsey. “May I ride with you?” Her eyes were mischievous, and her smile coquettish.
Duncan wished he could pick her up there and then, and carry her away to make love to her, but since that was impossible, he smiled widely and kissed her. He simply could not help himself, since she looked so very enticing. There was a small murmur of surprise and shock from the crowd around them, but neither of them cared. They only had eyes for each other.
“Of course you can,” Duncan said tenderly.
He knew it was not quite safe, but if danger threatened he would put himself in harm’s way to protect Eliza, as he had promised he would. He looked down at her with an expression that was a promise of even better things to come when they arrived back at the castle.
Eliza was lost in his amber eyes, and could only give Duncan a loving smile as he hoisted her onto his stallion and swung up behind her, wrapping his arm around her securely.
Eliza leaned on his shoulder, letting out a long sigh of contentment. They passed the carriage with Iona and Maisie in it, and Duncan said, “You will miss the trip home with Iona.” His tone was ironic, and Eliza laughed.
“Yes, thank heaven,” she said fervently. “I do not think I could bear any more complaints and snide references about England! Has Iona even been to my country? She certainly has a lot to say about it!”
Duncan shook his head. “Not as far as I know, but even if it was a veritable paradise, she would still find fault with it!”
“No doubt,” Eliza agreed. “It’s not paradise—nowhere is—but it has good honest people in it, just as Scotland does. People work the land, tend the animals, build houses and do all the hundreds of other things people have to do to make a living. Nobody is special. England is the land of my birth and I love it, of course I do, but Scotland is beginning to capture my heart too.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” he said warmly. “What do you think of the people in the village?” He was looking at her keenly.
Eliza smiled. “I expected them to be a little… nasty, to be honest,” she replied. “And I was pleasantly surprised to be proved wrong. Most people were very friendly. Oh, there were a few snide remarks, but I give as good as I get. I answered them all in the same spirit.”
“I’m sure you did!” Duncan laughed, wishing he had been there to hear the exchanges. “But on the whole, you liked it?”
“I did,” Eliza replied. Then she said sadly, “I could do so much good here if I stayed.”
Duncan felt a sudden surge of longing. If only Eliza could stay, if only he could truly marry her and make her his Lady—but no, that was impossible. Yet, he was intrigued.
“What would you do?” he asked.
“I would start a school,” Eliza replied. “Train a few ladies to sew and knit so that they could make and mend clothes for thevillage, and perhaps start a village choir or something similar. Perhaps we could gather together for a meal once a month or so at the castle and talk over the villagers’ concerns. I would have to think about it some more.” Then she sighed. “But I would only be wasting my time. It will never happen.”
“I can make it happen,” Duncan assured her. “Eliza, I wish…” He broke off, shaking his head. He had been about to tell Eliza that he wished she could stay.
