She was confused at first, and seeing only Megan before her, asked haltingly, “What—happened to me? Why am I lying down?”
She stopped, her eyes suddenly widening in remembrance—and there was some definite alarm there too. She even gripped Megan’s arm to ask her next question, which came out in a frantic whisper.
“Is he still here?”
“Who?”
“The MacGregor?”
“Well—yes, actual—”
The widow sat up immediately, in fact too quickly, causing her head to throb, and nearly knocking Megan onto the floor in the process. Winnifred groaned at the sharp pain she felt, but it was more important that she locate Lachlan. Doing so, she groaned again, even louder, and extended a beseeching hand toward him.
“Lachlan, you must let me explain first—before you do anything that we’ll both regret.”
“Bothregret?” he replied coldly. “I assure you, lady, whatever I do, it will give me a great deal o’ pleasure—and you none a’tall.”
“Please, can we at least discuss this in private?” Winnifred pleaded, glancing with embarrassment at Kimberly and Megan. “There’s no reason to disturb these ladies with a family matter.”
“Family matter, is it?”
It was apparent, at least to Kimberly, that Lachlan was too angry to honor the widow’s request. Nor did he care at the moment how embarrassed she might be. From his perspective, Kimberly certainly couldn’t blame him, but she still took pity on the woman.
So she cleared her throat and gave a pointed look at Megan. “I haven’t had breakfast yet myself. Would you care to join me?”
Megan sighed, but nodded. Once beyond the door, however, she confessed, “I know you’re right, m’dear, but I wouldn’t have left there for the world myself. I’m simply too curious. Doyouknow what that is all about?”
“Yes, unfortunately,” Kimberly replied. “And I don’t believe Lachlan intends to keep it secret. Quite the contrary. When you have someone arrested, it’s rather impossible to keep it under wraps…”
In the parlor, Winnifred was talking quickly. “I loved your father, Lachlan. You must know that. His dying was a shock, so unexpected. I was distraught and not thinking clearly—”
“We were all o’ us distraught. If that’s the only excuse you have tae offer—”
“I was also terrified.”
“Of what?” he demanded.
“Of being alone.”
“Are you daft?” he asked in amazement. “Alone wi’ a whole castle full o’ folk around you?”
“All MacGregor folk,” she reminded him.
“Aye, and who else would be there but MacGregors? You were a MacGregor as well, or are you forgetting that?”
“It’s not the same as being born a MacGregor,” Winnifred insisted.
“How is it no’ the same? Did you think we would kick you out? Nay, you know better. You would always have had a home at Kregora.”
“Without your father?” she said, shaking her head. “I’d never made friends there—”
“Whose fault is that, lady?”
“Mine, I know, but it was still a fact. Your father was my life and my protection. Without him—I had nothing.”
“If you’re thinking that gave you the right tae steal my inheritance—” he growled.
“No, no, I know I did wrong. And I did it without thinking, because I was so frightened of being alone again. Believe me, I’ve regretted it so often.”
