The Scottish Companion by Karen Ranney

words. But then he simply closed the door behind him, leaving her feeling relieved.
    The minute they were alone, Gillian turned her attention to her employer.
    She pressed her hands together and willed herself not to betray any emotion. No annoyance, irritation, or anger would show on her features.
    “Arabella does not seem inclined to take on the role of countess.”
    Since she had told him that very thing for the last two weeks, Gillian remained silent now.
    “She needs to be made aware of what a superlative opportunity this is for her, one that most women would not get.”
    Gillian was growing irritated, and annoyance was an infinitely preferable emotion to fear. “Whenever I speak to her about her manners, Dr. Fenton, Arabella merely ignores me. What am I to do?”
    “I’m not asking that you treat her as you would a sister, Gillian. I know that is impossible. But I would not wish her to be shamed by her own behavior.”
    Gillian didn’t think that was possible. Arabella was so completely unconscious of the entire world that she doubted the other girl noted when it rain or snowed or was otherwise a fair day. If it was not within Arabella’s small frame of reference, she simply paid no attention to it.
    “I fear the countess was not impressed by Arabella,” Dr. Fenton added. “It is imperative that all of Arabella’s deficiencies are eliminated, Gillian, as quickly as possible.”
    What could she say to that? It was all too evident that Arabella was not prepared for the role she was to assume and didn’t seem to notice or care.
    “Very well,” she said. “I will try a little harder.”
    “See that you do, Gillian.” He studied her for a moment. “The Earl of Straithern is very conscious of his position in society.”
    She remained silent.
    “Should he be informed of your past, I do not doubt that he would ask me to dispense with your services.”
    Aghast, she stared at him. “Why would you do such a thing, sir?”
    “I trust that it will not be necessary.”
    There was a look in his eyes she’d never before seen, a glance that almost conveyed dislike. “I havetold you that I will try with Arabella,” she said, hoping that her voice was even and conciliatory. She had learned one valuable lesson in the past, and that was to protect herself. Until she had a new position, she could not afford to alienate the doctor.
    “You are Arabella’s dutiful companion, someone with Arabella’s interests at heart. That is what you are and that is what I want everyone at Rosemoor to think.”
    She clenched her hands together again.
    “Not a woman with wildness in her heart, Gillian. Not a girl who would forget that she was a gentlewoman.”
    “No. Sir.”
    “You have a habit of looking at him too well, Gillian. Anyone could see he interests you.”
    Ah, the true reason for this tête-à-tête.
    “See that your history does not repeat itself, Gillian, that no hint of scandal comes to Rosemoor because of your actions. If you cannot remember, then I will be forced to confide in the earl. You will find yourself on the streets of Edinburgh again.”
    A curt nod was all she could muster before leaving him.
     
    Grant opened the letter with some trepidation, hoping it wasn’t bad news. Instead, it was the very best news of all. He began to smile as he scanned his friend’s scrawled handwriting, easily discerning from the labyrinth of loops and swirls exactly what Lorenzo was trying to say. His friend had been delayed in London, but would arrive at Rosemoor as soon as he was able.
    In the meantime, he had some advice to impart to Grant. A list of remedies followed, some of which Grant thought he might as well attempt in the interim. He found himself nodding in agreement toward the end of the letter.
    It is very rare that such a malady makes no appearance until just before death. Had your brothers been sick often as children? And you, my friend, were you sickly as well before coming to my country? If it is not so,