Page 42 of Highlander’s Dangerous Gambler

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"Miss? Miss? Are ye alright? I heard noises."

The timid little housemaid tapped on the door. Gathering herself, Aileen went to answer it. When she unlatched it, it was to see Mary, her maid, blinking up at her.

Mary peered inquisitively into the room as if looking for someone else.

"I heard sounds," she said, looking unsurely at Aileen. And right away, Aileen knew what she meant. If by "sounds" she meant "crying," of course.

But the way the little maid peered around suggested she was on the lookout for someone or something. And Aileen knew right away that her sister had spoken to her.

"I'm braw," said Aileen, dabbing her eyes. It was a lie. They both knew it was a lie and almost certainly, Aileen's face gave it away.

"I, um, wondered if ye wanted me to run ye a bath?" Mary asked, her blue eyes bright and inquisitive. Aileen thought she looked just like the little cat that frequented their courtyard.

"Ah, och, that'd be braw," said Aileen. Unexpectedly, she was feeling all emotional again. Mary had been the first person to offer kindness since she arrived back at Duncan Castle.

Perhaps she knew because creeping around Mary sent her worried little glances, as if she was suffering from some unknown malady—which she sort of was.

"They say ye fell badly an' cracked yer ribs," said Mary, as she began to prepare for the bath. Evidently, she must have anticipated Aileen's acceptance, as she was already carrying one pail of water heated directly from the kitchens.

Aileen, who suddenly was feeling weak, went to lay upon her bed. As she closed her eyes, she drifted off to a summit. The ride had taken it out of her. She was still in recovery and topped off with the bitter row with Fiona, and she was feeling unusually sensitive.

Sternly, she attempted to pull herself together. This was ridiculous! She had fallen off her horse before, about a dozen times! Never had she been so distraught.

But as much as Aileen tried to pretend it was all about the fall, the more she knew it wasn't.

Her tumble from White Star was almost forgotten; only the aching in her ribs reminded her when she turned too fast. But Scott's rejection of her was the real pain.

Mary bustled around drawing and bringing water into the bedchamber. As she came and went, she chatted shyly to Aileen.

"So, miss, where have ye been? The lasses are saying ye were taken prisoner but I dinnae believe it!" The shy little maid's face positively widened as she said this.

Aileen nearly laughed out loud. "Och, nay," she said, but as soon as the words were out of her mouth, she realized that it was pretty much true.

"So what kept ye, miss?" she said, eyeing her uncertainly. "The elders were gonna send a search party for ye!"

Aileen listened, surprised. A sudden vision of McTavish, the ancient counselor, looking for her with a spear, burst into mind. Aileen squealed with laughter.

Mary looked at her unsurely. She always did that when Aileen reacted raucously. Then Aileen frowned. She looked at Mary. "I could barely move, Mary," said Aileen. "There was no way I could ride."

The little maid watched her closely. "Aye, but a laird as rich as McLeod could send ye back in his carriage." Her eyes fixed hers intently; then, the lass's voice trembled a little as she spoke.

"We thought he had taken ye...or perhaps ye didnae want to return?" Mary's eyes were sharp with question, and suddenly Aileen understood more than she had before.

They had thought she had run away! Sighing, Aileen shook her head.

"No," she said simply. "I wanted to return, but I couldnae make it. Dinnae fash, Mary. I was just biding my time until I could get home, really. No one kidnapped me, an' I didnae run away!"

She watched Mary's face. For a moment, her brow twitched, then she looked as if she was the slightest bit disappointed.

"Och," said the tiny maid. She had finished drawing the bath and indicated to Aileen that it was ready.

Then, piece by piece, she undressed Aileen, peeling off each layer and folding it carefully on the bed. As she did, Mary's face contorted.

"New robes, mistress?" she commented, packing the linen and silk garments down tidily.

Immediately, Aileen cursed herself. She might have known that Mary would notice.