The Highlander's Servant: Book One of the Highlander Possession Series (6 page)

             
Alana raised an eyebrow at Kirstin, not believing her fully. She refrained from pushing the matter and getting an answer from the small blonde.

             
Then, Kirstin spoke up, “So, what about Ewan? He seems like a nice fellow, aye?” she teased the elderly woman who began to turn pink in the face.

             
“He is but a friend.” Alana snapped lightly.

             
“Only a friend. Right.” Kirstin hummed sarcastically, which made her receive a stern look from Alana.

             
The two women small-talked the rest of the way about various subjects. Upon entering town, Kirstin could not help but feel a heavy gaze on her back. She turned around but saw no one looking at her in particular, so Kirstin shook the eerie feeling off.

             
Alana came to a stop and turned around, grabbing Kirstin’s hand and placing a few gold coins within her palm, “Ye go find some rosemary and I will get the yeast for baking.”

             
“Aye.” Kirstin nodded her head, and then the two women parted separate ways. Kirstin rubbed the coins in her hand, admiring the weight of each one as she walked down the road.

             
Just as before, Kirstin became aware of someone’s watchful gaze. This time when she turned her head, she saw Graham from across the road. He was watching her intently, his green eyes penetrating her, making her all the more timid.

             
Kirstin turned away from him, but not before seeing the red-haired man walking towards her. She briskly walked away, not liking the way he was looking at her.

             
She had just made it to the tables where the herbs and spices were located. Kirstin did not get much further as a heavy hand was placed on her arm. She spun around at the sudden contact, knowing all too well who had stopped her.

             
“Why do ye run from me, Lass?” Graham’s tone was rough, as he was eager to know why the young blonde feared him so.

             
“I did no’ see ye. I apologize if I offended ye.” She rushed a bit too quickly.

             
Graham’s eyebrows furrowed and a frown made way to his lips, “Yer blue eyes met mine only mere moments ago and I saw the recognition on yer face.”

             
Kirstin’s frown matched that of his, “Mayhap I was only looking, and no’ actually seeing.”

             
The man laughed, his voice echoing among the nearby stands, “Ye lie much too well for yer age.”

             
She gave a wry smile, noticing that he had caught her lie, and replied easily, “Mayhap that, too.”

             
This only made Graham laugh once more, and Kirstin coward back a few steps.

             
“Say,” Graham said, looking around the town cautiously, “Where is yer friend?”

             
“Alana?” she drawled, “She went to buy some things. I have my own list, now if would excuse me.” Kirstin walked past him, but the move did not keep him from following her.

             
“Why do ye serve the Bateson Clan, anyhow?” he questioned, quickening his pace so that he was now walking beside her.

             
Kirstin quirked an eyebrow at the highlander, “Do ye no’ like the Bateson Clan?” she quarried.

             
His green eyes seemed to haze over, “Nay, we all share foul history.”

             
By now, Kirstin had found the rosemary and chose some, paying for it with the gold coins. As she handed the trader the money, she turned her head to Graham, “We all?”

             
“Aye, my clan.” Graham smirked, and he knew what her next question would be.

             
“What clan do ye belong to?” she asked, turning away from the table. He followed after her once more.

             
“’Tis best that I donna tell ye that.” Then an idea struck Graham and his smirk grew, “Unless, that is, ye want to work for me instead of Laird Bateson?”

             
Kirstin shook her head instantly, “Nay, I have my duties.”

             
“Duties?” he questioned her.

             
A grin made way to Kirstin’s face, “Like yerself, I have my own secrets.” Then, she curtsied and briskly walked away from the awestruck man. Graham was not only astounded by her clever replies, but was impressed with the young blonde. He desired to know more about her, and with that thought, he caught up with her.

             
“Please,” he begged, “Mayhap I can see ye again?”

             
A surprised looking Kirstin peered up at him with wide eyes, “Nay, I think it best we stay apart. Especially if ye and yer clan share foul history with my laird.” It was a small excuse, but an excuse nonetheless.

             
Graham, now frustrated with her consistent rejections, challenged her response, “We will see about that. After all, a rabbit doesna run far before being caught.”

             
Kirstin heard the warning tone in his threat. She was sure that Graham had taken an interest in her by now, but she did not share the interest. Merely glancing at him one more time, she walked away from him. This time, Graham did not follow after her.



             
After the two women arrived at Lachlan’s manor and put the newly bought product up, Kirstin snuck off away from the kitchen. The young blonde retrieved the book from beneath her mattress, and hastily made her way outside into the fresh breeze. She wanted time to calm down from her earlier conversation with Graham.

Frustration welt up inside of her, as well as tension from all of the changes that had occurred in her life within the past several days. Kirstin could not think of a better way to calm her nerves than reading.

              She ventured away from the manor and towards the sylvan woods that bordered one side of it. The branches reached for her, and Kirstin had to push them away frequently. In only a matter of time, had she reached another field.

As
she observed the field more closely, she saw that it was unlike the others. This field flourished with tall grass, but most importantly, white and yellow wild flowers that danced back and forth in the soft winds.

She could not have found a more perfect place to read the book.

Kirstin seated herself amidst the field, her dress spread out around her small form. With a feather light touch, she traced the cover of the leather-bound book. She opened it to the first page but noticed that the book held no title. In only a second, had she realized that it was a journal. Flipping through the first few pages, she came upon the first entry.

I hold only few memories of my past, but the ones I ken are as clear as crystal. My mother is the most precious of my memories, as my father had always been too busy tending to his duties as laird to watch over me.

Her hair was long and black, but she always wore it up, as any lady should. Her voice was soft, but her words strong, as she could control any man with a simple phrase.
‘Tis but only memories, though by the way she looked at my father I knew her heart beat for him. As his did hers.

I often wondered if I would look at another the same way they had looked at each other.

It was when I had only five years of age, that I shared such a look. I felt my heart lift, and my eyes soften at the wee babe with sterling blue eyes. Her mother clutched her close to her breast, but I knew that she was the one that was for me.

Naïve like any boy at such a young age, I had no’ known why exactly the babe’s parents had rushed to our home in the midst of the night. Men were rushing about as my father spoke to them in hushed tones. It would only be much later that I understood the events of that night.

“We thank ye for yer warning.” My father had said, “My men are preparing, but must ye go back from where you came? Mayhap Ronan discovers yer disloyalty?”

The father of the babe shook his head, “
Nay,’tis no’ possible. Ronan is so focused upon his newest quest, that he has become too busied to spare a thought to us. We must go back immediately, for if he does find our whereabouts missing, it would surely be at the break of dawn.”

“Aye,” responded my father, “If you do, however, change
yer mind then speak freely of yerselves. As yer family is always welcome to my clan for this good deed.”

The couple had nodded their heads in respect. My mother, dressed in only a nightshift, held the door open for them to make their departure.

My last memory of the family was no’ of them leaving in the dark of night, but of the babe’s eyes gazing back at mine. I ken no’ how she saw me, as I hid in the shadows of the hallway, but I willed myself to never forget those eyes.

              A hasty gasp escaped from Kirstin’s lips as she saw the name that had signed the entry.

Lachlan Tomas Bateson

              She was about to turn the page to the next entry, if it weren’t for a horse’s neigh that had sounded behind her. Shaking from her new finding, and clutching the journal close to her chest, Kirstin turned her head from where the sound had occurred.

             
She caught only the faint glimpse of a black horse galloping away into the woods. Kirstin squinted her eyes to hopefully catch a better view of the rider and horse, but could see nothing more as they had already disappeared into the thick brush.

Chapter Seven

             
It was not long after Kirstin’s curious gaze had strayed to the trees, before she could hear Alana’s voice call after her. Only then did Kirstin know that she was in trouble for venturing off. She had neglected her duties as a servant, but swore that she would make it up to Alana.

             
Kirstin did not want anyone else discovering the journal, and therefor she hid it between crutches of the roots to a great tree. She made sure that it was covered enough to protect the pages from the many rains, and any searching gaze that may come upon the finding.

             
Upon entering the kitchen, Alana was in her notorious stance with a scrutinizing gaze and a hand on each of her hips.

             
“Where have ye been, child?” she snapped at the young blonde.

             
“I was tending to the horses within the stables.” Kirstin lied.

             
“Aye, well ye be best to stick to yer duties within the manor; and no’ playing with the horses.”

             
“I do apologize.” Kirstin said, her eyes falling to the floor in regret.

             
Alana raised an eyebrow at the girl, “Sorry ye will be for yer the one that will take the Laird his lunch.” After those words were said, Alana fought to hold in a laugh. Kirstin glared at her, all too knowing what she was trying to do.

“
’Tis no’ funny, Alana. I ken what yer up to.” Kirstin quarried, ignoring the woman’s low chuckle.

“
’Tis no’ like I can help it. The laird has demanded ye to see to him anyway.” Alana said, making Kirstin’s eyes go wide.

“Why is that?” she asked, still shocked.

Then Alana handed her a tray with a silver platter, “Ye tell me.” She chuckled once more, before sending Kirstin on her way.

Kirstin dreaded the way to Lachlan’s study. She could not help but remember the events from the night before, and it made her nerves jump. Not only had Lachlan raged and nearly choked a man, but also apart of her knew that he was the one to leave the journal next to her pillow. This made her wonder if he had an intentional purpose for her to read his words, which both excited and frightened her all the more. What was so important about his journal that he would allow her to read it?

Whether she liked it or not, it was only minutes before she arrived at the two grand doors at the end of the hallway. With three knocks to the door, a gruff voice gave her permission to enter. She opened the door with hesitance, making her presence all the more known.

Standing at the doorway, Kirstin observed Lachlan writing away at his desk. He had not spared her glance, and she was uncertain what to do next. So instead, Kirstin observed his deep concentration at what he was writing, and how his arm flexed upon each stroke of the pen. His black hair was disheveled, and he looked stressed.