The Highlander's Servant: Book One of the Highlander Possession Series by Savannah Vining Page B

flushed as he left.
    
    Ma and Pa,
     
    Both something great and terrible has happened. I have become betrothed to Laird Bateson, and though my dowry is small, he doesna care for his heart beats for me with such heaviness. I feel the same way towards him but no’ as strongly yet. Though, I have no doubt that I will one day love him as much as he loves me.
    I fear that I donna have much time to write, but all I can say is that I ken of our past and now our fate. Laird Ruskin, whom ye may ken as Graham, has found interest in me. This interest has now turned to mere hatred and has led to surprisingly possessive ways because of my betrothal to Laird Bateson. Ye must stay alert, for we are the Crofts, and if word gets out to Graham of who we are then he may ruin not just me, but the both of ye because of the deed ye did for the better of the Bateson Clan.
    I fear for ye. Mayhap ye should move from the lowlands and come stay with Laird Bateson and me in the highlands. Together we could celebrate my matrimony with him.
     
                  Be Safe,
     
    Kirstin Croft
     
                  Kirstin set the quill down and read over her letter once more before sending it off with a messenger. She had just said farewells to the messenger when Roderick showed up at her side, much too eager to talk of her newest betrothal. He had wrapped his arm with Kirstin’s and began walking her in various directions, as if to stall for her time.
                  “I just knew ye and the laird were to marry off. Now tell me, when is this wedding of yers?” He began blabbering with an over joyful tone. At least Kirstin had his approval, but she hoped that she had everyone else’s consent as well. She did not want to be hated amongst the manor, may it be by man or woman.
                  Kirstin answered thoughtfully, “I donna ken when exactly it will be but we have decided that it shall be before the next winter, which will give us a few more months to plan and get to ken one another better.”
                  Roderick gave her a puzzled look and said, “Well, why would the two of ye need to get to know one another better? He loves ye and ye love him!”
                  “Aye,” She answered, as she now realized he was taking her towards the kitchen now, “But I donna think my heart beats as hard for him as his does for me.”
                  “Nonsense!” Came another voice as they entered the kitchen. The voice was Alana’s, “I have seen the way ye look at him and the way he looks at ye. Mayhap ye just donna ken yet, but ye love him just as much.”
                  Alana was cooking over a hot fire, and two other servants were kneading dough by her side. Kirstin blushed when the two servants giggled in response to Alana, and Kirstin had almost forgotten that her arm was in Roderick’s until he said, “Aye, what Alana said.”
                  Kirstin sighed, “Mayhap the both of ye are right. Mayhap, I do love him just as much, but why does it feel that I donna? Why does it seem that I could never love him as much as he loves me? The man has dreamt of being with me for an eternity and I? Well, I just met him but a few weeks ago.”
                  Roderick turned her around to face him, “Never,” he said putting a hand to her heart, “let time define how much ye love a man, but instead only how long ye have loved him. Just because the laird has loved ye since he was a boy, doesna mean that he loves ye more. Understand?”
                  “Aye,” a small smile crept way to her face, “I understand.”
                  “Good.” Roderick said, putting a hand to each of her shoulders and looking sternly into her eyes, “And ye better no’ forget what I just told ye.”
                  Alana, Roderick, and Kirstin continued on with conversation until Roderick was pulled away