Page 44 of Highlander’s Dangerous Love

Gemma nodded gingerly.

“I’m here tae speak wi’ Lady MacNeill, if she is not busy.”

The maid peered back at the room. Gemma took the liberty of looking with her — it was indeed a quilting bee.

“I’m sorry, lass, but she’s busy. I cannae⁠—”

The maid’s voice was cut off by a soothing older female voice.

“Rose? Who is at my door?”

“‘Tis Gemma Gordon, milady,” Gemma said, raising her voice. The maid looked a little sheepish at that — clearly she had not recognized her.

“Let her in, Rose. I will always have time for my future daughter-in-law,” Lady MacNeill said.

The maid curtsied as Gemma stepped in.

Truth be told, Gemma felt a little silly, and no doubt looked like a country mouse in comparison to these noblewomen, but she tried not to let that show. Instead, she held her head high as she curtsied to her possible future mother-in-law.

“Miss Gemma!” The Lady said, rising and bowing her head in greeting. She wore a dark blue gown of silk, and her dark hair, now streaked with gray, was twisted into a respectable bun. As Gemma looked at her, it was easy to see why both the laird and Captain Frazier had fallen for her in some way. She was beautiful, possessed gentle manners, and a pair of fine, kind eyes.

“My lady,” Gemma said softly.

“Tae what do I owe the pleasure? Wedding talk, I hope?” She asked, and the group of noblewomen tittered with pleasant laughter behind her.

For a moment, Gemma wondered if that was to be her life — cooped up in this castle with only her ladies and quilting bees for comfort.

“Well, sort of. I wondered if mayhap we could speak in private,” Gemma asked.

“Of course! Ladies, I will be back shortly. Keep sewing,” she said cheerily.

Lady MacNeill ushered her to a smaller, private room, which Gemma quickly realized was her dressing room. It held chests of drawers, a full-length mirror, and a plush cushion in the middle upon which to sit. It was large enough for the both of them to sit on, and so they did.

“What brings ye here, Gemma? Are ye nervous?” She asked, covering Gemma’s hand with her own. “If ye are, I understand. ‘Tis a big responsibility, an’ I ken that Bryce can be…intense,” she said, finally settling on a word.

“Aye, yes. ‘Tis actually what I wanted tae speak wi’ ye about,” Gemma said, her heart beating a little too fast for her liking. There was no way of telling how she would react. Hopefully not like her son.

“Oh? He hasnae hurt ye, has he?”

Well…no, not physically, he hasn’t, Gemma thought, but surely‘tis only a matter of time. Still, it was curious that such a thought would first spring to Lady MacNeill’s mind.

“Nay, no. I erm…I’ve learned some information.”

She could swear she saw a flash of understanding cross the lady’s face, but it was so momentary, Gemma could not be sure.

“What have ye found, lass?”

Gemma took a deep breath in preparation for what she was about to say.

“My Lady, when I say this, please know I dinnae mean it tae accuse ye. I understand. Really, I do. So…I’ll just say it. I ken Bryce is Captain Frazier’s son.”

There was an uncomfortable silence between them as Gemma let the words fall. She fidgeted with the hem of her shawl until the Lady broke the silence with a shaky voice.

“Aye, he is. How did ye find out?”

Gemma had to fight the tears that were welling up in her eyes. This entire situation was so emotional; she hated that crying was her first response.

“I learnt from Colin, who learnt from his father. I dinnae think he kent until well after the exile.”