Page 14 of His Highland Duchess
“Guid morning,” she said as she approached the young girl, who could only be the eldest of the two daughters, Aurelia.
“Oh!” Aurelia spun about, eyes widening when she saw Margaret coming. She had the sharp features of her father, but her eyes were large for her face, and behind them, Margaret sensed a wild nature that even her father did not possess. “I wasn’t going to do it!”
Margaret frowned. “Da what?”
She grimaced. “Nothing. I…” She looked away as if embarrassed. “I was only looking, is all. I promise.”
“Looking at what?” Margaret looked past Aurelia to try and see what had caused such fright in the little girl.
“Oh.” The girl blinked. “I know who you are. You’re Margaret – Her Grace,” she corrected quickly. “Sorry…” She looked down at her feet. “Please do not tell Father. I did not mean it.”
“I promise I will nae,” Margaret said. “But only if ye call me Margaret and nae Your Grace.” She curled her nose. “Too formal, I think.”
The girl giggled. “Truly?”
“So long as I can call ye Aurelia.”
Aurelia beamed. “I like your accent. Father says you are from Scotland.”
“I am,” Margaret said. “But to me, ye are the one who has an accent.”
“I do not!”
“Well, maybe not here,” she said with a wink. “But if ye ever came to Scotland, we all talk like this, and ye would be the oddity.”
She giggled again. “I would like that.”
“Maybe one day I will take ye.”
The girl beamed, and Margaret beamed back.I had forgotten how much I enjoyed speaking with bairns. So innocent. So naive. Everything is new to them, and they simply love it when their small world grows.There was a sadness that came with it, however, and Margaret felt it stab at her chest. A reminder that she would likely never have a family of her own. Not if this marriage continued as it was.And there is nae sign that it will nae.
She shook her head to dispel those thoughts. “Tell me, what were ye looking at jus’ now?”
The girl’s eyes widened with panic. “Nothing!”
“It dinnae look like nothing.”
“I…” She grimaced. “Father would not like it. And I swear I was only looking.”
“As ye can see…” She gestured to herself. “I am nae ye father. Unless he enjoys wearing women’s clothing?” She frowned. “Although somehow I doubt that.”
Aurelia giggled. “You are silly.”
“I’ve been told. Now, come on, what were ye gazing on?”
Aurelia sighed and turned back, pointing across the garden toward the stables. “The horses,” she said with a sense of longing in her voice. “Father does not like me riding them, but I love it so much. He says a young lady has no need for horses, and he refuses to let me ride.”
“What? That is crazy. Of course ye should learn to ride.”
“Really?” Aurelia looked at her as if she didn’t believe it.
“A young lady should learn ta da whatever her heart desires of her, and if riding is that thing…” She shrugged. “I do nae see why you cannae.”
“But Father…”
“I am nae your father,” she said with a wink. Then she considered the situation and how best to approach. She did not wish to go against the duke’s orders, and she certainly did not wish to get on his wrong side any more than she might have already. But there was a kinship developing between herself and Aurelia, and beyond that, Margaret sensed the little girl needed a friend. Even an ally. “I cannae let ye ride, for ye father…” She shuddered purposefully. “I am nae so bold as that.”
“I know…” Aurelia sighed and hung her head.
