“Might I join you on your business?” Duncan moved around the table and stood next to Eirica.

He didn’t relish spending the rest of the evening in his own company. The part about a new post he didn’t like was the first few evenings before he met those of the house with whom he could become friends. Unlike other posts he’d had, he couldn’t even spend the evening in the company of his charge.

“I must go and check on the lambs who were separated from their mamas.” She gave him a look which said he needn’t bother, she could tend matters on her own.

“You raise them when their mamas will no’?” Spending a bit more time with her would make the evening delightful, even if they talked of nothing but sheep.

“Of course. We have nine motherless lambs. Nine sheep are too many to lose.”

He nodded. “My brother never saw the raising of orphaned lambs worth the effort.”

“Then your brother is an idiot.” She tucked the errant strands of hair behind her ear.

Duncan laughed. “Aye. You are correct there.” Her blonde hair looked like spun gold. It would feel silky against his hand, which itched to reach up and touch it.

She laughed. “You’ve no lost love for your brother.”

“None.”

“You needn’t attend me while I look in on the lambs. They’ve been fed, but I enjoy checking on them before the end of an evening.”

“It has been a while since I ’ave seen lambs. I would enjoy going with you, if you would no’ mind the company.”

She drew her brows together for a moment, then nodded. “Mrs. MacAlister will think it improper for me to walk alone with you, but I see no problems. I long ago gave over worrying about what others thought of me. They’ll think what they will.” She smiled at him. “You may accompany me.”

Duncan offered her his arm. Her hand hovered in the air for several seconds before she placed it against his sleeve. He placed his free hand over hers. He’d been right. Despite the work she did, her skin was soft and warm. The warmth from her hand pushed back the loneliness that came with a new post and softened the anger living in his heart.

She had more to feel anger over than he. She’d been cheated of a life. He had lost things of importance, but at least he’d had choices.

“I apologize for my father.”

“’Tis no need. He canno’ help himself.” He opened the door for her.

“Thank you for understanding.” She lifted her skirt as they went down the back stairs.

He looked at the moon shining down on them. What a glorious night. It made his heart sing. For a few moments he could enjoy the company of a woman as wonderful as the night. Though he had nothing to offer her but his company, at least he could give her that. Ease her loneliness a bit before he was forced to leave.

Already he would miss this place and the two lasses he would leave behind him. He brushed back the hair curled about her cheek.

“He is a great burden.” His grandfather had been ill for a year and had been a burden on all of them. His mother had suffered the most having to take care of the elderly man. She’d never complained, but Duncan had seen the tiredness wear at her.

“He’s really not a burden. I have Cory to tend him and help.” She smiled at Duncan. “Most of the time he manages to get things confused and then I must straighten out the mistakes. As with hiring you for governess. Generally, they’re wee mistakes.”

“I am glad he made that mistake.” He couldn’t be sorry. He’d met Eirica. For that, he could never be sorry. He could dream about her when he did have a lonely night.

“Why do you say such a thing? You’ve been sorely inconvenienced.” She strolled toward the pen.

Duncan looked toward the baaing of the lambs. Because I’ve met you and you’ve brought a brightness to my heart I have never before felt. No, he couldn’t say that to her. “Because…because I would never have gotten to be a governess without your father’s help.”