“Wonderful, my lady,” Meg replied, a wistful expression coming over her face. “Lord Conall is a lucky man.”
Heat flooded into Molly’s cheeks. “What do you mean by that?”
Meg blinked, obviously caught off guard by Molly’s sharp tone. “Er...naught, my lady. It’s just that...well, I thought...I assumed...” She swallowed and took a deep breath. “Forgive me, my lady. I didnae mean to cause offense.” She looked suddenly worried and Molly felt a pang of guilt.
“No need for apologies and no offense taken,” she said quickly. “Honestly, you’ve been such a help this morning. Thank you.” She squeezed Meg’s hands and gave her a smile.
Meg squeezed them back and the sparkling smile returned. “Ye aren’t like most ladies.”
“Aren’t I? And what are most ladies like?”
Meg thought about this for a while. “Demanding,” she said at last.
Molly laughed. “Well, I’ll try not to be too demanding.”
Meg laughed too and Molly felt her tension shift just a little. Could it be possible that she was beginning to make a friend in this time?
Just like Conall, she thought.Who would have guessed you would feel for him what you do—
Shut up!she told the voice in her head.Shut up!
Meg began clearing up the breakfast dishes and Molly looked out of the window. What was Conall doing right now? Was he thinking about her?
She smoothed the dress over her hips. What she wouldn’t give for a mirror. Although the room was opulent, a mirror was one thing it didn’t have. Perhaps it was for the best. Molly strongly suspected she looked like one of those little dolls that you put over the top of toilet rolls.
“Can I get ye anything else, my lady?” Meg asked, hefting the breakfast tray.
Molly patted her stomach. “No thanks. Don’t think I could eat another thing. Well, not until lunchtime anyway. What is there to do around here?”
Meg shrugged. “Anything ye wish. Earl Sinclair has declared ye an honored guest and given ye the freedom of the Pinnacle. What would ye like to do?”
Molly had no idea. All she knew was that there was no way she could sit in this room all day waiting for him. She would go stir crazy.
“Think I’ll do a bit of exploring, then.”
“Would ye like me to get one of the guards to show ye around?”
“No,” Molly said quickly. “I’ll just have a bit of a mooch around myself.”
Meg blinked at her use of the word ‘mooch’ but didn’t comment. She carried the tray to the door and expertly managed to open it with her shoulder whilst holding the tray with both hands.
“The midday meal will be served in the great hall, or if ye prefer, I can bring ye something up here again.”
Molly smiled. “Thank you, Meg.”
Meg left and the door swung shut behind her. Molly took a breath, then cautiously opened the door and stepped out into the corridor. She was wary and nervous, thinking people would stare at her and notice that she was different.
However, as she made her way down the stairs and through the castle, everyone was far too busy with their own tasks to pay much attention to her. The servants curtsied or bowed when they saw her and called out friendly greetings. Even some of the guards who were patrolling around gave her a nod in passing, but that was it.
Molly felt herself relax a little as she reached the doors and stepped out into the fresh air. The sun shone brightly in the sky and she could feel its warmth on her skin. She squinted in the sunlight, trying to get her bearings, then began walking towards the gates that led down to the loch shore.
She came out onto the causeway and stopped, staring out at the scene. It was easy to see why Earl Sinclair had chosen this spot for his home, with its natural defenses and stunning vistas.
“Good morning, my lady!”
She looked around and saw James, the ferryman who had brought them across the loch yesterday, just dropping off some passengers on the shore. He waved to her enthusiastically, and Molly waved back.
James beckoned to her and she walked down the causeway towards him.
