Her father, funny? Had he hit his head when he fell from the horse?
“Now Madeleine,” Fletcher said. “Dinna give away all of my secrets. A father has so few.”
Madeleine? How had they become so familiar so quickly? She needed to sit down. She found a seat on a nearby bench. “I’m happy ye have gotten so well acquainted,” she told her father. The truth of that realization surprised her. She hadn’t seen him like this in years. Smiling at Lady MacGregor, she continued, “Laughter helps one heal, does it no’?”
“Indeed, it does. Ye are wise beyond yer years.”
“I thank ye. But it’s simple wisdom. When something makes ye feel better, it must be good for ye, aye? Laughter certainly qualifies.”
“Fletcher, I grow more impressed with yer lovely daughter each time I speak with her. She’ll be a good lady for MacGregor. Perhaps no’ as good as I, but one can’t expect so much from such a young lass.”
Despite her surprising good will of just moments before, Caitrin thought to take offense, until Madeleine winked at her. Ah, she still jested with her father.
“That is my thought exactly,” Fletcher responded with more energy than Caitrin had seen him display in two days. “She and yer son will make an excellent match.”
Caitrin’s stomach turned over. Madeleine MacGregor just made her task more difficult.
“It’s wonderful to see ye looking so well,” Lady MacGregor continued, speaking to Fletcher. “The healer has kept me informed of yer progress, but I didna wish to disturb ye by visiting.”
“Visit all ye like, milady. I’ll enjoy yer company. And as my wise daughter has informed us, what makes us feel good is good for us, aye?”
“Indeed.”
“In fact, perhaps ye’d enjoy a walk outside this afternoon,” he told Madeleine, with a rebellious glance at his daughter. “I’d be pleased to escort ye. I’ve been inside these walls too many days.”
Caitrin nearly laughed at that. Though he seemed to be recovering well, Lady MacGregor would likely be escorting her father, unless this morning’s socializing had worked a minor miracle.
Lady MacGregor stood. “I’ll look forward to it. It should be very pleasant out of doors.”
Fletcher started to force himself to his feet, but Lady MacGregor put a hand on his shoulder. “Dinna trouble yerself,” she told him. “Sit here, rest yer leg, and enjoy the fire. I must see to a few things before the midday meal.”
Fletcher eased himself back down with a sigh. “Thank ye, Madeleine. I look forward to the afternoon.”
With a nod to him and a friendly smile for Caitrin, Lady MacGregor headed in the direction of the kitchen.
“Well,” Caitrin said once she moved out of earshot.
“Indeed,” Fletcher answered, looking pleased. “Lady MacGregor is pleasant company.”
“I couldn’t have guessed.”
“Dinna fash, daughter. I feel better now than I have since before the hunt. I’ll be fine to walk a bit with her.”
“And if ye are no’?”
“I will do well in her company. Never fear.”
Caitrin shook her head. “Very well. I see ye are determined.”
Her father regarded her for a moment then waved her away. “Have ye broken yer fast? Perhaps ye should see to yerself.”
She grinned. Here was the father she knew best—looking out for her. “I havena. I’ll pay another visit to the kitchen.” She gestured to the remains of his breakfast. “Would ye like me to bring ye anything else?”
“Nay, nay. Go on with ye, lass. After ye eat, find her son and spend some time with him. How is he to decide to offer for ye if ye never speak to the man?”
Caitrin’s face fell, but she hated to spoil her father’s good mood by reminding him she wished him to cease the negotiation. By telling him how much the son differed from the mother. She stood and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek then turned away.
Madeleine MacGregor was an open book. Everything she said seemed well-intentioned and truthful. Her kindness and caring in spending time with Caitrin’s father meant a great deal, especially if it speeded his recovery. Nothing in her words or manner gave Caitrin to believe she had any ulterior motives.
