“Och, ’tis only right that ye go and that ye look well doin’ it. Besides, I should help ye after all ye’ve done fer me.” Annie pursed her lips thoughtfully. “The last time I saw Lady Strathmore, she had on a right lovely gown that was…” Annie’s eyes narrowed, and she nodded, folding the gown over her arm. “What we need is one of them fashion books as are stacked in Lady Strathmore’s dressing room. That fool, Jane—a lazy wench if there ever was one—tends to the upstairs. We’ll borrow one of those books fer a bit and then we’ll fashion ye up a gown that will show that Murien hussy just who is the real lady.”

“Yes, but we’ve no time to—”

“Hesh, Miss Kat! We’ve plenty o’ time. I’ve still yards and yards of that lovely straw-colored silk left over from making the linings for the curtains in the front room. I’ll start with that and perhaps…” She held out Kat’s old gown, shaking it a bit so that the sky-blue silk rippled in the light. “Perhaps we can put this one to use, as well. I can use the bodice and the skirts and jus’ add new sleeves and perhaps—” She smiled. “I can do it, never ye fash.”

Straw colored silk combined with the sky-blue—it would be stunning, Kat decided. She couldn’t help but think it would add some drama to her rather drab appearance.

“Annie, do you really think you’ll have it made by next week?”

“Aye, Miss Kat! Just leave it to me.” Annie tossed the gown over her shoulder and went to the door. “I’ll send Donald to the castle to fetch the book. He’s still lingering downstairs, moping because he thinks ye are upset with him. Then we’ll have a look to see what’s needed. I may have to borrow a bit of ribbon, though I’ve plenty of thread left.”

“It seems such a huge undertaking. Can you—”

“Och now, don’t ye worry! All we need is one gown, simple and elegant. ’Twill allow yer beauty to show through.”

A new gown that was simple and elegant—Kat couldn’t help a burble of happiness from flickering through her. “Annie, you’re priceless.”

A half hour later, a lone rider arrived at Kilkairn Castle. Donald, armed with specific instructions from Mistress Annie, rode up to the servants’ entrance and requested to speak with her cousin Jane.