- favoring my leg greatly. I preferred not to allow you to see my distress and appear weak to you. Swallowing my pride I limped badly to take the main route up to my rooms, dreading what was to come when James had his moment to chat with me.

- castle entrance and stopping in the main courtyard. I handed you down with your bag and instructed one of the stable lads to bring you around straight to see Miss McBride. James would have informed her about the lass' coming. I waited until you were out of sight before dismounting myself -

- o' teaching her staff and running her kitchen especially. If'n ye try ye best and attend to her instructions I assure ye will do well. No worries now about the late arrival. We were expected ta come late in the day given the vast territory ta be covered. *I almost regretted heading the horse into-

*There was still a tone of amusement in my voice as I spoke in a soft return.* Our head housekeeper runs the castle like clockwork. She nay likes ta have her day disrupted. But mayhap she will be mollified ta be getting fresh help wi' the chores. Her standards be harsh but she be wise in her ways -

- mount to prolong this ride holding her so close.*

- forward I felt almost bereft! Then she spotted the castle and her whole demeanor changed to one of excitement and amazement. Regarding her with both amusement and delight I was taken out of that bemusement with McTavish pulling near us to warn that he would ride ahead. I found myself slowing my-

*She was so soft and lovely. My nostrils flared with the scent of her. Something fresh and yet wild. Not merely the soap the peasants used, but more. Possibly a touch of wild roses? her dulcet tone of voice was soothing, almost to the point that the pain in my leg was diminished. When she sat -

- mention same since ye expressed a great pleasure o' readin'.

- rough instruments in the castle if'n ye be so inclined ta seek them out in ye free time. There be an old library o' sorts as well but it's been under lock and key many a decade. My Father had it locked down afore his passin'. He never did say why and I've never bothered ta open it up. I only -

- Often @potsisthename.bsky.social , Our head housekeeper and cook would hum similar when I was a wee lad and needed comforting growing up. Pots being as much a mother to me more than my own real mother while she lived.* What tis that tune ye sing lass? It's sounds familiar somehow. There be some -

- softly under her breath. It relaxed me somehow, made me forget about the pain in my leg and I found myself leaning forward to catch her dulcet tones combined with her sweet scent. I hadn't heard such soft tones since a wee child and somehow it brought back sweet memories of those bygone times. -

*Mary, Joseph and Jesus, Dove was being obtuse this evening. I could see the way he was looking at me, giving me a red blush to my cheeks and neck. The man was always suspicious though, a part of his inherent nature in his protection of me. But I was quickly distracted when the lass began to hum -

- imparting to the girl was proper to impress her. And yet, why would I care so much? She was only a servant set to provide a service in my home to alleviate her father's debt to me. Why would it matter to me if Dove bragged so much about me?

Tis' enough Mr. McTavish! You'll scare the lass' shoes off wi' ye braggin' and tales o' such. I would nay wish to deal wi' a fit o' vapers afore we arrive home. *Dove knew I was only joking, but in a sense I was becoming embarrassed as well. Somehow I didn't think that such information that Dove -

- and most certainly none had driven such a response from me before. While it was causing me some misgivings, it wasn't exactly unpleasant, and to make matters even worse, the lass appeared for all intents to be unaware of her affect upon me.*

- I'd ever encountered before had elicited such a response from me. Certainly I'd both known and lain with village lasses in the pubs and brothels and was no novice in such relationships. But these were sought out in times of need and seeking a night's pleasure. None had any lasting meaning to me-

*For now I allowed Dove to furnish the answers to the girl's questions because I found myself strangely quiet around her. Not tongue-tied, but moreso wanting to just remain silent and drink her in. I found every sense in my body had gone on high alert and it was disconcerting to me. No lass I'd-

- in that scent more closely. To make matters worse I could see Dove watching us both closely and I was sure that knowing me as well as he did that he had noted my unusual reactions! This didn't bode well for our future talk I knew was coming!* @lightofbelle.bsky.social @darkgold1.bsky.social

- happening between us. I'd never felt like this before. Your scent of fresh soap and something that smelled suspiciously like roses filled my nostrils and I felt my head swim. It was all I could do to prevent myself from leaning forward @lightofbelle.bsky.social @dovemctavish.bsky.social to draw -