“Very well.” The housekeeper curtsied to Divana. “’Tis good to see you again, m’lady.”

Adam clapped his hands. “M’lady, m’lady.”

Mistress Barton had just acknowledged her title? Saint Columba. Divana hadn’t expected a soul at Achnacarry to pay a mind to the fact that she was married to a knight. “Thank ye, mistress. ’Tis lovely to be here.”

Lady Lochiel poured. “You must have been on a fantastic adventure. I am so utterly amazed. You simply must tell me everything. How on earth did you convince Kennan to allow you on his ship?”

Divana took the tea, but with Adam toying with the ribbons on her bodice, she didn’t dare drink. She set the cup on the table. “I stowed away.”

“A stowaway?” Her Ladyship’s expression went from utter shock to keen interest. “Mercy, the plot thickens. Go on, dear. I’m on the edge of my seat. Tell me all.”

Starting with being discovered in the galley by Lachie Mor, she felt a great relief in reciting the details of their grand adventure. Though Adam didn’t seem to think so. By the time she’d finished, the bairn was asleep in her arms and Her Ladyship had consumed the entire pot of tea.

Fiona came in and lit the lamps. “Good evening.”

Divana looked at the lad. “Och, Fiona, if it weren’t for the bairn in me arms, I’d embrace ye. Tell me, are ye wed?”

“Wed and expecting a bairn of my own come spring.”

“I’m happy to hear it.”

“And ye married Sir Kennan—I kent ye liked him, m’lady.”

“Very much.”

No sooner had Fiona excused herself than Kennan stepped into the drawing room.

Her Ladyship took the sleeping babe. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll take this laddie up to the nursery.” As she passed, she gave Divana’s shoulder a pat. “I’ll speak to Lochiel. He doesn’t take to change easily, but I’m certain everything will be fine. Have nary a fear, all will be well.”

Once they were alone, Divana braced herself on the back of the settee. “Your father hates me.”

“He hardly knows you.”

“But he sees me as a kitchen maid, nay your wife.”

“He kens where I stand, and he has naught to accept it.”

“Or what? He’ll disown ye.”

“Who cares if he does?” Kennan wrapped her in his arms. “You are my world now. Aye, I’m the heir, but there are three sons behind me. Besides, Da settled a wee bit after I told him of our fortune—told him to think on it as your dowry.”

“Och, did ye now, ye crafty Highlander?”

“I did, and after, I sent a messenger to my sister, Janet. Told her I needed her help straightaway.”

“But why?”

“’Cause if anyone can influence my father, ’tis her.”

“So, will there be a sealing of the vows or nay?”