“Oh, bless you!” said Rachel as the last of them walked out through the door, leaving just Kyla and the other woman. “I was so longing for a bath. I thought to splash some water on my face, but this shall be simply heavenly.”
Kyla laughed. “I can imagine so. When Peg came running downstairs in a flutter about you getting out of bed and exploring, Jane and I figured you would perhaps enjoy a proper soak first. Martha here will help you get undressed and into the bathtub. When you’re finished, Peggy will come to collect you. She is currently down with Adam, having him rig up some contraption or other for you. We shall see you soon.”
With a smile, the beautiful woman sailed out the door. Rachel looked after her wistfully. If only she could command a room like that. The woman was so strong, so sure of herself. Rachel pushed aside her envious feelings and focused on removing the borrowed nightgown she had been wearing since she arrived. With Martha’s assistance, Rachel soon found herself relaxing in the warm rose-scented water, which seemed to soothe away her worries… for the moment at least.
Peggy was true to her word, arriving shortly after Rachel’s bath ended. She carried the curious walking sticks she had mentioned earlier. There were two of them, and on the top was fashioned cloth sewn over straw.
“It’s for padding,” said Peggy, as she showed Rachel how to use them. “You place them under your arms, and you can then give them your full weight when you would normally step down with your injured foot. If you use them too long, after some time it may become rather sore under your arms, but you should be fine for today!”
“Ingenious,” Rachel murmured, admiring the design.
“Yes,” Peggy nodded. “That’s Adam. He is both creative and intelligent, my mother says. I believe he may have taken the creativity for all of us.”
She laughed.
“Come, I’ll show ye around.”
Peggy led her out of the chamber and down the hall, showing her the other bedrooms, as well as the dark, masculine study her father shared with Finlay. With some effort, Rachel managed to follow Peggy up the stairs, which were in the corner of two corridors in somewhat of an L-shaped pattern, to view her mother’s sitting room. This room was much more feminine, with beautiful embroidered pillows and wall hangings, as well as vases filled with flowers. It was comfortable, and Rachel could see it being a rather lovely place to spend time.
More stairs led to additional bedrooms, including Peggy’s own, and Rachel was becoming a bit confused as to who slept where, but she paid it no mind. The steps went round and round as they led up, the castle built as a tall tower manor. When it was time to descend the stairs, Rachel found herself in trouble. It was much more difficult to place her weight on the sticks going down, though she managed with Peggy’s help.
Finally, they made it back to the main floor, where Peggy showed her the dining room and what Rachel would call the drawing room area, where the family often gathered after meals. She was becoming fairly tired after the lengthy tour but tried not to let it show as Peggy’s enthusiasm remained high.
“Now to the yard,” said the girl, who Rachel felt was likely her own age but so much more vivacious, as she led her out the front doors.
Rachel’s walking sticks sank into the grass, but she managed to keep going.
“Here’s the stable, where we keep most of our own animals. We have others that are tended to by some of the crofters. Then over here….”
“What is that building?” Rachel asked of the remaining small brick building in the corner of the yard.
“Oh, that? I’m not sure what it was originally, but now it’s Adam’s workshop, I suppose you’d call it. Where he goes to think and design. Do you want to see it?”
Rachel did. She hadn’t seen the man since yesterday, and she longed to again, although she told herself she was being silly. She knew he thought her a helpless Englishwoman, one who did not listen to reason and caused him only trouble. Yet… she couldn’t help but feel drawn to him. Perhaps it was because of the way he had leapt into action to help her. Or perhaps it was because she had spent the past two days in his bed with far too much time to dream. Either way, he had not been far from her thoughts since she’d met him, and she wanted to know more about him.
She suddenly realized Peggy was looking at her questioningly, and she came back the moment with a start. “Ummm, sure why not?” she said, attempting nonchalance, and Peggy led her across the yard, finally coming to a halt in front of the small stone building.
Peggy gave a quick knock before pushing open the door. His back was to them, and when they entered he didn’t look up, but held up a finger, telling them to wait just a moment. Rachel took the opportunity to study him once more. His brow was furrowed as he bent over the large sheet of paper in front of him, a kilt draped around his hips, his strong, bare calves peeking out beneath and his golden chest on display atop. It was suddenly quite warm in here, as the July sun had crested in the sky and the small window offered little air movement. She felt her mouth go dry, and wasn’t sure if she could attribute it
