A flash of bashful embarrassment zipped through Agnes’ eyes before she was able to hide it. Her fingers brushing against the bottom of her own red hair, she admitted, “I daenae. I can tie it up on me own without help, though.”
“That’s a good start,” Katherine said kindly as she kneeled on the ground. Gently, she pulled the ribbon holding the braid in place loose and unraveled her hair. “Once ye learn the basics of plaitin’, ye can plait yer hair right down yer back.”
“Ye’ll teach me?” Agnes asked as she cautiously approached.
“Of course, I will,” Katherine replied, gesturing for Agnes to take a seat in front of her. “Everyone should ken how to braid. I’m honored to be the one to teach ye.”
And Katherine meant it. She didn’t know how long Agnes had gone without a mother, but it was a heartache that she knew intimately. She’d never felt more feminine than when her maid had taught her to do her hair. This was a special moment that Katherine was determined to make right for Agnes.
“The first thing ye’ll need to do is separate yer hair down the middle,” Katherine instructed. When Agnes’s imprecise fingers struggled to make an even part, Katherine reached forward. “May I?”
Agnes nodded, dropping her hands and allowing Katherine to carefully run a finger down the middle of her scalp. She sat completely still as Katherine pulled the chunks of hair to the front of her shoulders. Then, with incredible patience, Agnes let Katherine smooth out all of the tangles.
“There we are,” Katherine said as she shifted back on her haunches. She returned her fingers to her own hair and split it into three equal parts. “Now, do yer best to get the same amount of hair in each bit.”
Agnes nodded and followed Katherine’s instructions. Her focus was intense, and Katherine almost expected her to start counting each individual strand. When she finished, she looked back at Katherine, waiting for her next command.
“Ye’ll need to use both of yer hands,” she said, pinching a strand between her thumb and forefinger on each hand. “And ye’ll use yer middle finger to move the third around.”
“Show me,” Agnes said, shuffling forward. She watched intently as Katherine braided the entire strand incredibly slowly. When Katherine finished, she said, “Again.”
Katherine obliged, aware of Liam’s eyes on the two of them. This girl was his daughter. She realized, on some level, that Agnes was all he had left of someone else. It was no wonder that he’d wanted someone to teach Agnes. She was precious to him.
“It feels a wee bit unnatural at first,” Katherine said, slightly exaggerating each movement, “but once yer fingers understand what ye’re askin’ them to do, it’s quite fun.”
As soon as her second demonstration finished, Agnes tried to imitate her. Her uncoordinated fingers started to work, and her tongue peeked out between her lips. Katherine let her hair down again and began braiding it so Agnes could follow along.
Her fingers moved slowly through her hair, and with each second and each breath, the pressure in the room grew heavier. Liam’s attention felt like a chain. All it would take was one wrong move, and he could be rid of her. She desperately wanted to impress him with this.
Agnes grumbled when she lost track of which strand went where, unraveling her braid and working her fingers through the tangles. Katherine quickly fixed her own hair. This time, when the two started braiding together, Agnes managed to get the style to take shape.
“There ye are,” Katherine said encouragingly.
“I’ve nearly figured it out,” Agnes said, closing one eye to better focus on her weaving.
Though the girl was still reserved, Katherine could tell that she was gradually building a strong foundation for trust. It would take time, but she hoped to help Agnes relax and enjoy herself. It seemed to Katherine that Agnes felt a strong, perhaps vague, sense of duty.
Nay doubt because of her father’s influence.
“Here, would ye like to use me ribbon to tie it?” Katherine offered when Agnes finished with the messy but technically correct, braid.
“Nay,” Agnes said, unraveling her hair once more. “I will need more practice. And… perhaps ye could show me one more time?”
“Of course,” Katherine said, glancing back toward Liam.
His arms were crossed over his chest, but she caught something that looked like approval. Then, it vanished, and he said, “Perhaps another day. It’s quite late. Ye’ll have another proper lesson with Katherine tomorrow, Agnes.”
I wonder if I cannae teach him to loosen that iron control of his too, if only for a moment.
* * *
“Good mornin’ to ye, Laird MacDougal,” Katherine said as she walked into the drawing room. He hadn’t expected her to be so bright, nor to accept a full lesson so soon after her arrival. “And good mornin’ to ye as well, Agnes. I do trust ye slept well.”
Perhaps part of him was hoping that she’d falter early, that he’d have a reason to send her away before anyone was able to get used to her presence.
Agnes looked up from the book of stories she’d been skimming. Her gaze snapped from Katherine to Liam. He could tell that his daughter was unsure of what to make of this loud, spirited woman. Truthfully, he wasn’t either.
She must have slept well. Seems she’s excitable. Or perhaps she’s just nervous.
