Men called to one another in the stable yard, and Dugald shouted to someone named Geordie that he had another task for him after they had put the laird’s horse away. Diana, waiting impatiently for her host to move toward the house, watched the doorway expectantly. She did not have to wait long before a familiar figure appeared there and a familiar voice exclaimed tartly, “Is that you at last, Andrew? We had begun to think you must have fallen off a mountain. Do you consider no one’s wishes but your own, sir?” “Mam!” “Diana? Bless me, child, is that really you?” A moment later, Diana was in her mother’s arms, hugging her tightly. “Oh, Mam, I think I’ve missed you even more these past weeks than when you were in prison. How can that be?” “Don’t be absurd, child,” Lady Maclean said, hugging her back. “I am far happier here than I was in Edinburgh, I promise you.” “I’ll warrant you are,” Neil said with a laugh, coming up to them. “Neil, you too? But how so?
