Page 52 of Savage Kilted Highlander

“How do you do, Morag? It is very nice to meet you,” Constance said in her best English accent.

Morag gasped, setting the two girls giggling. “May the Lord and all His angels preserve us, hear the way she talks!” she exclaimed, staring at Constance.

“Yes, I’m afraid I was raised in England,” Constance admitted, chuckling. “Do you think you can put up with me even though I am not Scottish?”

“Of course, she will,” Agnes answered cheerfully for the maid. “Morag has a warm heart. She’ll soon come tae love ye as she loves me, English or nae. Is that nae so, Morag?”

Morag seemed to be getting over her shock, her widening smile showing she was almost as excited as they were. “I’m sure I will, Lady Constance,” she said, dropping a low curtsey. “’Tis a good thing ye talk different tae Lady Agnes because I dinnae think I’d be able tae tell the difference between ye without it. ’Tis like yer reflection stepped out of the mirror, me lady!” Morag exclaimed, starting to laugh.

“Well, Constance is movin’ in here with me, Morag, so ye’ll be lookin’ after the both of us now,” Agnes told her.

“She’s stayin’ fer good?” Morag asked.

“Och, I havenae asked her that.” Agnes looked worriedly at Constance. “Ye are gonnae stay, are ye nae, Sister?”

“I would like to, if you will have me. I am never going back to England if I can help it. As I told you, Agnes, now I have found you, I do not ever want to lose you again,” Constance replied earnestly. “In truth, I never questioned that I would be staying. I suppose that is quite rude.”

Agnes giggled and hugged her. “Nonsense! This is yer home now, forever.”

“Oh, thank you, Sister. I must say, you have made me feel so welcome, I already feel as though I have actually come home, though I have never been here before,” Constance said, returning the hug.

“Pardon me for interrupting’ ye, Me Ladies, but the Laird wanted me tae tell ye that he’s arranged for the three of ye tae have supper in the parlour.”

“Oh, how thoughtful of him,” Constance said, truly touched. But then it struck her that she had nothing to change into. “Oh dear, I’m afraid I lost all my things on the way here. I only have this dress that I am wearing, and it is quite dirty from the journey,” she told them both worriedly.

“I have lots of dresses and things ye can wear,” Agnes reassured her. “We’re the same size, and ye can wear anythin’ of mine that ye like until we can go shoppin’ and order ye a whole new wardrobe.”

“That is very generous of you, thank you,” Constance said, relieved and grateful for Agnes’ kind offer. “But I have no money to pay for a new wardrobe.”

“Wheesht!” Agnes exclaimed, laughing. “D’ye think Faither will let ye go about with nae clothes? Nay, he’s always very generous when it comes tae me buyin’ things. He’ll be delighted tae get ye kitted out, so ye neednae worry about money.”

“Aye, Lady Agnes loves her pretty things, tae be sure. She has a whole wardrobe full of lovely gowns, Lady Constance. The laird said ye’ve been on quite a journey, so I took the liberty of ordering up hot water fer a bath. The water should be arrivin’ shortly,” Morag explained.

“Oh, Morag, thank you so much! I should love a hot bath. I feel quite filthy from the road, I admit,” Constance exclaimed, delighted. She had not had a hot bath since she and Bane had stayed at the inn.

“And while ye’re bathin’, me and Morag will show ye some dresses, and ye can choose whatever ye fancy as well as a gown tae wear tae supper with Faither,” Agnes said, her face glowing with pleasure.

“’Tis quite a shame ye dinnae have two dresses the same,” Morag observed, “It would be awful amusin’ tae see the laird’s face if ye were dressed the same and he couldnae tell ye apart.” That had them all in fits of giggles.