The Highlander's Servant (Book One of the Highlander Possession Series)

Chapter Three

            Kirstin awoke to the sounds of birds chirping and a bright sun that shone through the sheer curtains of the room. She lay in bed for a long time, adjusting to her surroundings. Right when she was about to closer her eyes once more, a knock sounded at the door and in peaked an elderly woman with graying curls and warm honey colored eyes. She wore a servant's dress, and made sure to nod her head in respect as she greeted Kirstin.

            "The name is Alana, and ye must be the famous Kirstin everyone speaks about." Her voice was strong, fitting well to her plump body.

            "Aye, 'tis my name." Kirstin smiled, now pulling the covers away and sitting up in the rather large bed. Alana walked towards the young blonde girl, and only then did Kirstin notice the clothes that were neatly folded in her hands.

            "Here," Alana said, placing the clothes next to her, "Dress and then meet me outside yer door. Donna forget to tie yer hair back, too."

            Kirstin briefly glanced at the brown dress and then back at Alana who was walking away, "I thank ye." She said. Alana turned back and smiled a small smile, before shutting the door behind her.

            Kirstin dressed in the dull looking dress and put on her plain shoes. She was quick to tie her hair back with a ribbon before she hustled out of the room. She looked plain, as a servant should, but this did not keep her bright eyes from shining blue and her light hair from glistening in the sun's light.

            Alana was waiting for her with crossed arms and a tapping foot, and as soon as Kirstin approached the elderly lady, she grabbed ahold of Kirstin's arm and began dragging her down the hallway.

            "This is the way to the kitchens, where I will give ye a duty." Alana murmured, as they passed many smaller rooms. They went down a flight of stairs and turned a corner upon reaching the kitchen. It was anything but the one she was accustomed to, adorned with red brick ovens and stone counter tops.  Everything about it was elaborate, with many bowls and foods of all kinds placed upon the counters.

            Kirstin couldn't help but let a gasp escape her rosy lips upon entering, and Alana chuckled lowly at this, "'Tis a grand kitchen, aye?"

            "Aye." Kirstin agreed whole-heartedly.

            "Though, ye willna be cooking. Instead, ye will be dusting every room in the manor!" Alana exclaimed, shoving a feathered duster in the palm of Kirstin's hand. Then she continued saying, "It will allow ye to become acquainted with the layout of Laird Bateson's home, and 'tis a good way for ye to become comfortable with it all. In the morrow, I will find ye a more challenging chore." Kirstin grimaced at that last bit, but nevertheless asked, "Where should I start?"

            Alana held her hands up high and smiled, "Anywhere ye like. Just stay out of the Laird's way." She winked at Kirstin before practically shoving the girl out of the kitchen and into the spacious dining area. Luckily the room was empty, and Kirstin decided it would be a good start of her duty.

            She must have dusted every corner of the room before she ventured down one of the long hallways. Alana did hint that it was her time to explore and become situated with the layout of her new home, so what harm could evolve from her doing so?

            Just as that thought had crossed her mind, Kirstin noticed two large doors at the end of one of the long hallways. She closed the distance between herself and the doors, and noticed all of the extravagant carvings that adorned the wood. Reaching a fragile hand out to trace one of the patterns, only then did the door crack open as if it had not been completely closed.

            Mouth fallen agape, Kirstin stared at the now open door and pondered if she should shut it back. Curiosity got the best of her though, and thinking the latter, Kirstin opened it further.

            She peaked her head inside and observed that the room was indeed vacant. Without another thought, Kirstin fully entered the room, leaving the door wide open behind her.

            By the looks of the tall bookcases, expensive furniture, and great desk that were in the middle of the room, it was clear to her that she was in the laird's chambers.

            As if to confirm any doubt that she may have had, a door off to the side opened and she came face to face with a shirtless Lachlan. He was dressed in only a pair of brown britches and his dark hair was tussled as if he had just woken up.

            Their eyes met briefly, before Kirstin took a step back and found herself tripping over the rug that was covering the hardwood floors.

            With a high pitched shriek and flailing arms, Kirstin fell on her bum with a grunt. Lachlan approached her immediately but Kirstin was quick to stand up on her own, "I am sorry, my Laird. If I had known that these were yer chambers I wouldna have intruded." She rushed, her words coming out fast. She could not stop her eyes from glancing down to his carved chest and bulging shoulders. He caught her doing so, and she quickly diverted her gaze back to his eyes.

            Lachlan frowned, "What have I told ye about calling me Laird?"

            A blush reddened on her cheeks and Kirstin found herself embarrassed, "With all do respect, I find it only appropriate to call ye Lai-"

            "Donna." he interrupted her, " Ye will call me by my name, as I will call ye by yers. Understood?"

            Defeated, Kirstin let her head fall in respect, "Aye, my l–" she paused, biting her lower lip, "Lachlan." She knew she wouldn't hear the end of it when the other servants heard her address him as such. Even Roderick could hardly believe it earlier.

            Before she could comprehend what was happening, strong fingers were lifting her chin up and she met his dark eyes, "Ye shouldna be going around exploring as ye are. I donna want ye to get lost."

            He dropped his hand after he said that, and Kirstin raised an eyebrow, "Then how do ye expect me to become acquainted with yer home?"

            A smirk gradually made way on his face, as if that was what he wanted her to say.

            "I will show ye, my lady." He mockingly bowed down to her and as he stood back up, he winked, "After I put on my clothes."

            This caused Kirstin's blush to return and his smirk seemed to widen at that, "Donna leave or I will only have to come find ye." Undeniably, Kirstin heard the threat that was there.

            Without another word, Lachlan hurried back to the room that Kirstin was certain was where he slept and dressed. She turned away and held her hands behind her back as she studied the foreign books that were placed neatly upon the bookshelves.

            She had just reached for a brown leather-bound one when a voice spooked her, "Do ye read?"

            She jumped in surprise and had to refrain herself from dropping the book, and then turned around to find that a now fully clothed Lachlan was much closer to her than she had expected. Their noses almost touched and she could feel his breath on her face, "Do ye?" he questioned once more.

            Kirstin shied away and turned around to put the book back where she had found it, "Only a little bit, I fear."

            "What interests ye then?" he pressed, taking another step closer to her. The close proximity between them seemed to both excite and frighten Kirstin, and she found herself oddly allured to the man as she once had been before.

            "Ye will only have to find out for yerself." She grinned almost in a teasing way.

            "Aye," he agreed, "Then I shall. Now can I show ye my home?" he asked lightly, holding a hand out for her to take.

            She took it, but whether Kirstin liked it or not, she heard the challenging tone in his words.