Calvert asked as she bustled about the kitchen. “The women are all going to gaze doe-eyed at the handsome Laird and I do not wish to be among them.” She laughed lightly. “If I know my name is Emerald Calvert, sure as the day I was born, you will be going.” The woman dropped her knife on the table, called for a servant girl to finish her duties and took Annabel by the arm. “Up with ye. We are about to be above stairs looking at Helen’s gowns.” Her stern tone caused Annabel a slight pause before she could think of a quick retort that would not injure the woman’s good intentions. “Please Mrs. Calvert…you are so kind…but my head aches…and with Mrs. Donaldson gone now, I wish to spend my time with Eleanor.” “I will see to the child myself. Read to her, rock her, say her prayers with her this one night…same as ye lass.” “Now, look, there is a lovely dress. Silk straight from China.
