Anne gave him a small sad smile. She was grateful. He could have just as easily blamed her for what had happened and fired her on the spot that day. Instead, he sought to make amends. It was a shame she could not continue to work here.

Then the image flashed before her mind's eye again. It was probably for the best.

By the time Lord Gordon returned, the cut had been cleaned and bandaged, and Anne was untangling the last few hooks. She quickly rose. "Ye've been very generous, milord. I'm sorry for what happened, and..." she didn't quite meet his eye. "I'm sorry for how me father treated ye. Ye were bein' kind."