Page 44 of Forever My Lass

Iain slowly released her and took a step back. The instant the warmth of him disappeared, her body cried out a loud protest. He cleared his throat and clasped his hands behind his back.

“This all began with you thinking I expected ye tae entertain my friends. It was nae my expectation that ye play hostess, Madeline. I simply thought ye might enjoy Lady Starling’s company, while ensuring she isn’t bored during her stay.”

“Fine. I’ll do what I can to make the woman feel welcome.” At her belligerent response, Iain eyed her with amusement.

“I think you will like her. Anna has as strong a will as another lass I know.” Madeline ignored the teasing laughter in his voice, desperate to escape before she did or said something stupid.

“Will there be anything else?” At her quiet question, Iain frowned in puzzlement.

“If you truly dinnae wish—”

“I agreed to entertain the woman,” she snapped. “So, unless you have other duties you feel compelled to throw at me, the girls are waiting for me in the schoolroom.”

Iain remained silent as he stared at her in bewilderment. The moment his confusion abated, his gaze suddenly narrowed at her. The astute assessment growing in his eyes made her realize she needed to run before he acted on his suspicions. With a quick bob of her head, Madeline spun around on her heel and hurried out of the room without a backward glance.

The memory of that day in Iain’s study more than a week ago was interrupted by the sound of Lady Starling’s voice behind Madeline. Closing her book, she rose to her feet and turned toward the viscountess. Iain had introduced her to the woman and her husband, late yesterday evening. Unlike last night, Lady Starling wasn’t holding her infant daughter as she closed the last couple of yards between them.

“Good morning, Miss Whitworth,” the viscountess said cheerfully as she came to a halt next to Madeline while studying the paddock and surrounding area for a moment. When she turned back to Madeline, Lady Starling smiled. “Today is the first day I’ve seen the sun since we arrived in Scotland two weeks ago. How on earth do the Scots survive the gray skies, I wonder.”

“I don’t really know. This is only the fifth or sixth day of sunshine I’ve seen since I arrived at Muchalls Hall.” Madeline laughed.

Yesterday evening when the couple had arrived, she’d been relieved to find the woman had a pleasant, down-to-earth manner. It made Madeline believe the couple’s stay would not be filled with awkward conversations. Lady Starling gestured toward the bench where Madeline had been sitting.

“May I join you?”

“Of course,” Madeline nodded then sank back down onto the wrought-iron bench as the other woman sat next to her.

“What are you reading?” The viscountess tipped her head to one side to read the title of the book.

“A book on nursing. Lord Glenburnie found it while he was in Aberdeen last week.”

“How interesting.” Lady Starling eyed Madeline with an inquisitive gleam in her dark brown eyes. “Are you hoping to become a nurse?”

“I already am.” Madeline glanced down at the book, which to her, read more like a first aid manual than an academic book.

“You are? Now I truly am intrigued.” The viscountess laughed. “Sebastian told me you’re from America. Is that where you learned how to be a nurse?”

“Yes. I went to school in St. Paul, Minnesota.”

“I would love to travel to America, but it’s not possible right now. Jane is still too young. In fact, Sebastian wanted to leave the two of us behind in London, but I wouldn’t have it. I don’t like being apart from my husband for any great length of time.”

“Have you been married long?”

“Our first anniversary is next week, and I never thought I could be this happy. Not even living on the Falcon did I ever feel this way.”

“The Falcon?”

“My uncle’s merchant ship. I had a rather unusual upbringing. I lived with my Uncle Charles on the Falcon after my mother died. I fell in love with the sea, and it wasn’t until I met Sebastian that I could even bear the thought of living anywhere else.” Lady Starling smiled.

“I can’t imagine living on a ship. Actually, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get on another boat again. Ever,” Madeline said with a vigorous shake of her head. Her reply made Lady Starling’s expression grow somber.

“Sebastian said you were in a shipwreck, and that Iain saved you from drowning.”

Curiosity gleamed in the woman’s gaze as she studied Madeline. The viscountess was clearly hoping to hear details of the event. Madeline nibbled at her lip slightly and looked away from the woman.

“He did. I don’t remember much about what happened that night, but I’ve been told he placed himself in harm’s way to rescue me.”

“I’ve no doubt of that. Iain is a good man. I also know first-hand how dangerous the North Sea can be. Although I’ve never had to swim for my life as you apparently did.” The woman studied her with a look of admiration. “Iain told Sebastian that if you’d not been a strong swimmer, you most likely would not have survived.”