Page 21 of Highlander's Caged Rose
Glennie sighed. “A number of things,” she replied. “Niall is not exactly welcoming, and, well, it’s hard to say, but there is an air of ferocity about this place. I know I am making no sense at all, but all I can say is that there are not enough ladies in this place to soften the atmosphere.
My brother is a good man—don’t let appearances fool you—but he is not gentle, even though he does have a heart of gold. I hope his brusque manner has not made you dislike him because I know the real man, and he is a very good one. In fact, on the subject of you staying here, I think I may be turning him around to my way of thinking.”
“You mean he might let me stay here?” Moira asked, frowning.
Glennie nodded. “Yes,” she said simply.
“Are you sure?” Moira was baffled. “Why has he changed his mind?”
She gazed at Glennie for a moment, then, to her surprise, Glennie posed another, infinitely more awkward question.
“Tell me, Moira, are you attracted to him at all?” she asked, looking at Moira keenly.
Moira splashed some water on her face to give herself a second to think. She wondered why Glennie felt the need to defend her brother, and her last question surprised her. It was not as though he and Moira were going to be involved in a romantic relationship.
At last, she said, “No, but I can see why you would think so. He is a very handsome man.”
She picked up the soap and began to wash her arms, which were already perfectly clean. She could feel herself blushing, and knew that Glennie could see it too. She was attracted to Niall; fiercely so, and it would be extremely hard for her to leave, but she was going to. She had made up her mind, and her resolution was set in stone.
“It’s time I got up and dressed,” Moira said, changing the subject.
She looked at one of her two dresses that the maid had laid out on the bed for her and sighed. She was too proud to ask if she could borrow a garment from Glennie, but the ones she was wearing were becoming threadbare.
Oh, well, I will have to make do,she thought, standing up. Her maid came to dry her, and a moment later she turned around to put on her worn dress, then her eyes suddenly widened with surprise.
Lying on the bed were two day dresses, one a deep dusty pink, and the other deep blue. Accompanying them were matching underwear, a jacket, a warm woollen cloak and a nightdress. Moira looked at Glennie, who was grinning at her happily.
“Did you do this?” she asked.
Glennie nodded. “I thought you would like to have some new things,” she answered. “If they don’t fit, we can have them altered. Do you like them?”
Moira moved to the bed and ran her hands over the garments. Both were made of fine quality wool and were soft to the touch, both had high necks and long sleeves, so they were clearly not ball gowns, but Moira loved them. More than that, however, she loved the thoughtfulness and generosity behind them.
“Oh!” she breathed as tears began to prick her eyes. “Glennie, They are lovely. Thank you. How can I repay you?”
“No need,” Glennie replied as Moira enveloped her in a tight hug. “Now, I would like you to come riding with me while the weather is fine. You can borrow a riding habit from me while yours is being made.”
“A riding habit too?” Moira asked in disbelief. “But Glennie, I will be gone soon.”
“Then you can take them with you,” Glennie said mildly. She did not voice the thought that she doubted whether her friend would ever leave.
The maid produced the garment, and although it was a little too big, Moira was overjoyed with it. She had never felt so comforted and cared for before, and it warmed her heart as she followed her friend out to the stables.
The red-haired young groom Moira had met before was standing waiting for them, but he did nothing more than nod atMoira and wish her a polite, “Good morning,” before directing his gaze, and all his attention, at Glennie.
She returned his look, and even though neither had said a word, Moira felt as though she was interrupting a private conversation as she waited for her horse to be saddled.
“Ritchie is coming with us,” Glennie said, “for our own safety. He is a very good swimmer.”
Moira thought one of the guards might have been better suited to the task, but she said nothing, merely nodded and smiled.
At last the horses were ready, and they rode into a fresh, breezy morning with a haze of white cloud over the sun. Moira took deep lungfuls of the cool, invigorating air and felt her burdens lessen as she watched birds flying, rabbits scurrying among the bushes, and saw the first flush of spring flowers. It was magical, and she smiled widely as the wind blew her hair back, then she urged her horse into a steady canter.
Glennie was right behind her and steered them both on a course towards the loch. When they were a hundred yards away, she stopped. “Shall we go down to the shore?” she asked, carefully watching Moira’s face.
Moira was trembling inside as she looked at the shimmering water. It looked so innocent and harmless, but she knew that it could be vicious and merciless, and everything within her told her not to go near it. She was about to turn away from it before Glennie’s voice broke into her thoughts.
“The only way to conquer your fear is to face it,” she said gently. “We are all scared of something, Moira. I am terrified of heights, but I am gradually overcoming it by climbing a little higher up on the battlements when I go there. We don’t need to go too close, not enough to frighten you.”
