"If me brother ever comes back ta town, I'll share me news with him. But I doubt he'll like it, though I don't care this time if he likes it or not." She nodded firmly. Wine was soon poured and orders taken. She smiled at him, her face glowing a little more with the color in her cheeks. It was strange, she thought, being dressed as a lady instead of the pauper she had been. Was this the fairy tale ending she had been looking for? So far, she had been unlucky in love. And then he came along and he held her heart in his hands.

"Lorn?" she asked softly, squeezing his hand as it found hers. "It means so much ta me that ye'd do all o' these things, not just fer me but fer me bairns. I want ye ta know how much ye mean ta me."