"Did you hear what I said?" Anna asked.
"Aye, but since I cannot see Colin, his looks are of little importance. What of Neacal?" she asked, hoping to get the conversation off herself and Colin.
"Neacal is extremely handsome and I love him. He's such a caring man," she said softly, with much emotion. "He saved my life, more than once."
Alarmed that her sister had been in danger, Kristina frowned. "What happened? Were you hurt?"
"Nay, I'm fine. I'll tell you about it later, once you're well. For now, you must focus on getting your strength back."
"Very well. Will you marry Neacal?"
"Aye. Now that you're back, we can proceed with the wedding plans." The joy in Anna's voice was evident and it increased Kristina's own good cheer.
"I'm so happy for you. I have not even met him yet, really. Although I did hear him shouting from the battlements when first I arrived here. He sounds like a strong, commanding chief."
"He is, and he helped Colin by carrying you up here to this room when you first arrived. Do you remember?"
"Nay. I must thank him, then."
"When you're ready, I'll bring him in so you can talk to him."
"I can tell much about a person by their voice. And, at the moment, I can tell you're happier than you've been in over two years."
"'Tis true. Neacal brings me great joy and peace."
Kristina felt comfort and satisfaction for her sister. "After all you've been through, you deserve someone wonderful. You are indeed fortunate and blessed."
"As are you," Anna returned quickly.
"To have been rescued from the brigands, aye."
"And to have such an attractive and wonderful man as Colin Cameron looking at you the way he does." Anna's voice was teasing and playful.
Although delight brightened Kristina's emotions for a moment, some dark part of her squashed it down. "Since I cannot see, I'll never know, will I?"
"But you will find out about the feelings behind those looks."
Or mayhap she already had, if his kiss was any indication. Still, she missed her sight and missed seeing people's facial expressions. Her curiosity got the best of her. "How does he look at me?" she asked quietly.
"As no man has ever gazed at you before, sister—at least, no man I have observed. As if… you are a star-filled night sky, or a heather-swathed glen in summer. Or a bright rainbow over a loch."
When Kristina imagined a man looking at her thusly, as if she were beautiful, her heart ached. How could he possibly? She had felt the scar on her face many times. It was rough and jagged and people had told her it was a harsh ruddy color. "'Haps your eyes are playing tricks on you. Besides, it matters not." Kristina had to make sure it didn't matter. She had to protect herself from heartbreak. If she let herself believe Colin truly was smitten with her, and then he changed his mind and decided he couldn't tolerate her looks or deal with her blindness, she would be devastated.
Anna blew out an annoyed puff of air. "How can you say that? Do you not like Colin?"
"I like him well enough." 'Twas a grand understatement but Anna did not need to know of her feelings.
"Well enough?" Anna asked doubtfully.
"I only just met him."
"We shall see, won't we?"
"You will." Kristina found it slightly irritating how many sight expressions people used which she could no longer relate to.
"You ken what I mean. We will find out what happens. Mayhap he will want to marry you."
To counteract the sudden leap of her heart, Kristina snorted. "Come now, Anna. Surely 'tis not so dark in this room that you cannot see I still possess the scar upon my face. I hold no illusions that a handsome man would want to marry me."
