Page 13 of A Highlander for the English Widow

“I shall be sure to make sure you are included the next time something unexpected happens,” Amanda said wryly.

“That’s all I ask. I just dinnae like nae being by yer side. People dinnae know how tae take care of ye like I can,” Ann said.

There was something touching about the way she acted around Amanda, albeit it was a little stifling as well. After all, Amanda didn’t consider herself to be a fragile person, and she had not considered herself to be in danger at all. Then again, it was pleasing to have a friend beside her.

Amanda rose from the bed and picked up the hairbrush, feeling a great relief as she pulled the brush through the knotted hair. She winced in pain but endured it because it was only going to get worse.

“Now, I hae brought ye a range of clothes because I didnae know what ye wanted.”

“Thank you, Ann. I think something simple is in order. My dress from yesterday is covered in blood.”

“Blood?” Ann gasped, looking shocked.

Amanda shot her a look.

“From the girl’s wound,” she explained.

Ann looked relieved.

“I should say, ye give me a fright! What else haes happened here then?”

“Nothing much. I have mostly been concerned about the girl. I had dinner with Logan and his family last night.”

“Oh aye? And how was that? I hae heard that his da is sick.”

“Indeed, he is quite frail, although he managed to make it to the dinner table. He had to be escorted away by his sons, though. They are fine people, although they have experienced their share of sorrow.”

“Are ye meaning what happened with his poor wife?” Ann asked.

Amanda looked up, pausing briefly because she was startled.

“You knew about this?”

“Of course. Everyone here knows. It happened nae long before ye arrived. I still remember the wedding now. Oh, he looked sae handsome in his tunic. She was pretty tae, a wee bit plain, but she haed a good heart. Then she fell with child and, well, we rarely saw her. Word drifted around the village that something was wrong. Some people thought that she was cursed. They haed healers come from all over. Only Deirdre was able tae make her feel better, although in the end she could nae make it better. And then we heard what haed happened… Oh, it was sae awful. We didnae see Logan for days.”

“I’m surprised you never told me about it.”

“Well, it’s nae the kind of thing ye think about. And I didnae think ye would like tae talk about that kind of thing, ye know, given yer history…” Ann looked away awkwardly, and Amanda went back to brushing her hair.

“Yes, well, it is quite upsetting and I have tried to assure Logan that he need not feel guilty. He takes plenty of burdens upon himself. I think he sees himself as one of these stones that holds this keep together. I don’t know how a man can take on so much responsibility without breaking. Hamilton certainly wouldn’t have done such a thing.”

“Well, Logan is a rare breed. Everyone respects him. It’s just a shame that he haes nae got a family. I suppose it’s something that ye share,” Ann said.

When Amanda looked at her, she noticed the twinkling, teasing gleam that resided in Ann’s eyes. Amanda rose and went to inspect the dresses.

“You are wicked, Ann,” Amanda said. “I have just lost my husband, and Logan is still hurt by the past. I was merely speaking about him as a friend, that’s all. What’s more is that I barely know him. I only met him yesterday, and I have shared one meal with him and one walk. That is all.”

She spoke brusquely, but perhaps she spoke too soon as Ann did not seem deterred. She had this smug, knowing look on her face as though she was privy to something that Amanda was not. Amanda merely ignored her and also ignored the warm rush of blood to her cheeks as well.

She hoped that Logan would not be offended by wearing her own clothes and was much more glad to be in something that fit her properly than the dress that Logan had allowed her to borrow. Ann helped her into it. This time Amanda allowed her hair to fall along her shoulders freely. She felt more relaxed than she had the day before, and perhaps it was simply because Ann was there…or perhaps it was because she was excited to see Logan again.

There was a knock on the door, and she knew it to be his. He looked fresh and greeted her with a smile, although he seemed surprised to see Ann there. Dawn had barely risen. Both she and, she presumed, Logan had expected her clothes to arrive later in the morning. They had both underestimated Ann’s intention to find Amanda, though.

“Did ye sleep well?” Logan asked.

“I did, thank you. This is Ann, my maid,” Amanda said.

Ann stepped forward and bowed, showing the proper respect for the man who was to be her future laird.