The Laird Who Loved Me Read Online Free

dinner. This was how some lesser ladies in a community were able to develop an active social life despite certain social inequities. It was difficult to credit it, but perhaps no respectable lady was in the area to serve as an extra at dinner.
    Well, whatever the reason, Caitlyn was going to make the best of this opportunity.
    Muiren nodded toward the window. “This be the last turn to the house, miss, if ye’ve a mind to see it from a distance.”
    Caitlyn leaned forward. At first all she could see was a wall of thick trees, but then, like the sun breaking from clouds, the trees fell away and revealed Balloch Castle.
    “She’s beauteous, isna’ she, miss?”
    Caitlyn could only nod. A turreted, gray-stone house, built in the baronial style to look like a castle, sat upon a hill. The late-afternoon sun beamed warmly upon it, despite the frigid wind.
    “She’s new, fer all she looks old. Her grace had her built to order, she did. ’Tis a grand house andthe kitchens are some o’ the finest in Scotland. Why, there’s even a water closet fer each guest room in the east wing which is where you’ll be staying, miss.”
    “How modern! Still, it looks old-world and romantic.” Caitlyn smiled. “I almost expect to see little elves to come dancing out of the doors to carry our bags!”
    Muiren snorted. “Th’ only elves ye’ll be seein’ are th’ footmen, and a more lazy group ye’ll be hard-pressed to find, though they look neat as a pin. Her grace won’t have it no other way. She’s determined we look as bang up t’ th’ mark as a Lunnon house, and she dinna brook no arguments.”
    “Very conscious of her station, is she? If I were a duchess, I’m sure I’d be the same.”
    Muiren looked surprised. “Would ye, miss?”
    “Oh, yes. You wouldn’t be able to stand me. I’d expect to be waited on hand and foot and demand the best of everything. Of course, that would only be fun if my brothers and sisters could see.”
    The maid grinned. “Ye’d just have to invite them to come and see ye queenin’ it about the castle—”
    The carriage rattled across cobblestones and pulled to a stop beneath the porte cochere.
    “Och, we’re here.” Muiren collected their belongings.
    Caitlyn smoothed her skirts and made certain her gloves were buttoned at the wrists, suddenly uneasy. She didn’t know a soul, though she was sure she’d make some friends of some of the other ladies before the week was out. She lifted her chin. If she didn’t, thenshe’d just enjoy the surroundings. It would be fun to explore the countryside with the gorgeous loch.
    The coach door swung open and the steps lowered as a footman held out his gloved hand. Within moments, Caitlyn was in the most magnificent front hallway she’d ever seen. The gleaming parquet floor stretched out to a number of large double doors. The warm wood was accented by a long, white-and-gold table set beneath a huge gold-framed mirror and between two heavy, gilt chairs. Overhead, an ornate, gleaming gold-and-brass chandelier shone brightly, already lit though evening was still an hour away.
    A door on the far side of the foyer opened, followed by a bustle of activity. Footmen scurried here and there carrying candelabra, linens folded over their arms. A maid hurried by with a basket of just-cut flowers, an empty vase tucked under one arm.
    A distinguished-looking butler walked forward, pausing to bow before Caitlyn. “Miss . . . ?”
    “Hurst.” Caitlyn unbuttoned her gloves and pelisse and handed them to a waiting footman.
    “Ah, Miss Hurst. We have been expecting you.”
    A groom entered carrying Caitlyn’s portmanteau and trunk, Muiren following closely.
    The butler flicked a glance at Muiren. “Her grace and some of her guests are in the pink sitting room. I will take Miss Hurst there before escorting her to her bedchamber.”
    “Thank ye, Mr. Hay.” Muiren turned to Caitlyn and bobbed a curtsy. “Miss, would ye like a bath aforesupper? It’ll