“Me? Oh, I don’t care, one way or t’other. In fact…” Murien’s gaze slowly traveled over Kat. “I sincerely hope you do come. It will make it all the more enjoyable for the rest of us.”

Kat’s lips thinned, and Murien knew she’d drawn blood with that one. “Murien, I don’t know how to thank you.”

“I’m certain you’ll think of something. Perhaps, one day I’ll have you do some glasswork in my house. There are a number of windows that could use some decorating glazes.” Smiling over her shoulder, Murien turned and left.

She hid her triumph as best she could as she made her way back to the terrace. Kat would attend the ball now, Murien was certain of it. Better yet, Kat would be awkward around Devon, as well, wondering if he could see the same things on her face that Murien mentioned.

Overhead, the late afternoon sun shone warmly, the blue sky decorated with a faint scattering of puffy clouds. Murien decided that it was a beautiful day. A beautiful day to win.

Kat tromped into her bedchamber, Annie hard on her heels.

The housekeeper shut the door and then turned to regard Kat with a flat stare. “What’s happened to put ye in such a mood?”

Kat slumped onto the bed. “Nothing.” Blast Murien Spalding and her little blond airs. Kat wasn’t the type of person to develop a hatred for anyone, but Murien had certainly managed to ignite a strong dislike inside Kat’s usually forgiving heart.

“Don’t tell me ye aren’t fashed about something,” Annie said. “Ye near took off puir Donald’s head fer nothing more than a cheery good afternoon.”

“I did not snap at Donald.”

Annie lifted her brows, her skinny arms folded beneath her breasts, one foot tapping in disbelief.

“Don’t look at me like that.” Kat kicked at her skirts, frustration boiling. Should she go to that silly ball? Murien would simply make a mockery of her, and Devon would…Kat frowned. What would Devon do?

She caught Annie’s minatory gaze and suddenly remembered that the housekeeper was waiting on an answer. “I’m sorry, Annie. I just didn’t wish to hear Donald complain again about the flue in the new chimney. I know it needs to be fixed but I’m not in the mood to hear him harping on it day and night whilst he—”

“He said ‘good afternoon’ to ye and not a word more.”

Kat’s shoulders slumped. She supposed she had been a little harsh. “You are right. I was just angry at—Never mind. I’ll apologize to Donald as soon as I finish.”

“Finish what?” Annie asked suspiciously.