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

Chapter Five

"Kirstin," came a voice in the early morning. Kirstin groggily awoke to the voice, recognizing it to be Alana's, "Wake up, we are to go to into town and retrieve things for the day's upbringing. We must get ye some new shoes, as well."

The small blonde observed that the sun had yet to rise, and groaned, "Alana, tis but still dark outside."

"Aye," she responded, "We must walk a bit of a distance."

Sitting up in her massive bed, Kirstin rubbed her eyes until they opened fully. Oh, how she just wanted to lie in bed all day.

"Very well, then." She sighed, "Let me get changed and I will meet ye in the foyer."

Nodding with a smile on her face, Alana left the room.

It did not take long for Kirstin to change and brush her hair, making sure to put her hair up with ribbon. She met Alana downstairs, not seeing a single person on the way down. Was it not too early to go into town?

Alana smiled approvingly at her, with a basket in her arms. She motioned for Kirstin to follow her and she did without another thought, leaving the manor and going outside. The sun had begun to rise over the hills, giving the sky a vibrant look of pink and orange. The morning dew glistened on the green grass, making everything seem so much more serene.

"Tell me," Alana spoke, breaking the silence between the two women. "Are ye fond of the laird?"

Kirstin looked at her quirkily, wondering how odd of a question she had just asked. Nonetheless, Kirstin chose her words wisely, "I feel for him no more and no less than that of a servant would her laird."

Alana raised both of her eyebrows, "Is that so?"

"Aye, 'tis so."

This time the elderly woman grinned all too knowingly, "I would think otherwise on his behalf."

Kirstin gave her a look full of confusion, "Why is that?"

Alana nudged Kirstin lightly; "I ken a man and the look in his eyes when his heart beats for another. And by the way he looks at ye, I dare say his heart beats."

"Nay," Kirstin replied quickly, "Lachlan only pities me for taking me away from my kin."

Alana smirked, "Which is why ye refer him by his first name rather than title?" There was no doubt that Alana was implying that Kirstin and the laird shared more than just a mutual relationship. Kirstin bit her tongue, regretting that she had just called him by his first name in front of the head servant.

"Nay, the man practically demanded I call him -" Kirstin began but was immediately interrupted by Alana.

"Exactly!" she huffed with a smile, and waved her hands around for emphasis, "Donna ye see that the laird is soft when it comes to ye? He even demand that ye call him by his name."

"Alana" Kirstin stressed, "'Tis only because he pities me." She repeated once more.

Alana only clucked her tongue and shook her head, "Think what ye may. I have my own opinion on the matter." Kirstin rolled her eyes at that, uncaring on whether or not Alana noticed. They walked for a bit longer down the dirt road, until the town came into view.

"Ah, we have arrived. Stay by my side, ye hear? I donna want ye getting lost, now." Alana said, going back to her maternal self. Kirstin nodded, all the while becoming distracted by the many buildings, carts full of food, and the small children running around. Traders and Farmers had situated themselves on the side of the road with their tables. Kirstin's town was much smaller than this one, and she felt awkward passing by so many expensive goods. There was jewelry that she could not have afford even if her life depended on it, clothes, and foods that she had only seen once or not at all.