Waking the Princess by Susan King

and practical soul, and she sees that what remains is wrapped and delivered to those who may need it. I am glad to see that you have an honest appetite," he added.
    Her cheeks colored as she sliced a muffin to butter it. If he had said that to Amy, she would have stopped eating for the rest of the day. "Do you suppose Tam Durie could drive my brother and I up to Cairn Drishan this morning?"
    "I would be glad to drive you there myself, if you can be ready to leave within the half hour."
    "Thank you. I thought to walk the distance, but John is not comfortable with rugged walks."
    He nodded. "May I ask whether his injury is temporary, or something more permanent?"
    "John was in the Crimea," she answered quietly. "He was injured at Balaclava. He has regained much of his strength and abilities, and we hope for further recovery, but... well, he accepts his infirmity with good humor."
    Aedan frowned and set down his newspaper. "My older brother, Neil, was at Sebastopol," he said. "He did not return."
    She stared at him. "Oh, Aedan," she breathed impulsively. "I am so sorry."
    He nodded curtly, fighting a sudden, unexpected onslaught of grief brought on by the tenderness in her tone, a grief he did not want to feel, not now. He fingered through the envelopes beside him without seeing them. "Well," he said. "Well. As we were saying, I would be happy to take you and Mr. Blackburn out to Cairn Drishan this morning. You may walk another day, or you may take ponies if you wish. We keep two garrons for hill terrain. Though you may need to go out to the hill only once."
    "I expect to visit there several times. I have to examine it carefully and prepare my report for Sir Edgar."
    "I was surprised he sent you here rather than coming here himself."
    She sat straighter, her backbone curving away from the chair. "Sir Edgar intends to be here as soon as he is free, if that eases your doubts about a female's expertise and authority."
    Aedan hid a smile. "I do not doubt your capability. You might well be more competent than Edgar, who boasts about his accomplishments, from what I recall, but does little. When does he mean to come here?" He nearly ground out the question.
    "Not for a few weeks."
    Aedan shrugged. "I expect you will find little of interest on Cairn Drishan. We uncovered an old wall, common enough around here in defining property boundaries."
    "Sir Edgar feels that a Pictish ruin might be on that hill."
    "I was there that day. I assure you it is an ordinary wall."
    "Oh? Were you hunting, or walking the hills?"
    "My work crew did the blasting, madam. I am the civil engineer for the Highland Highway in this region, appointed by the Parliamentary Commissioners of Roads and Highways."
    Her eyes widened. "Oh! I knew you were an engineer, but I did not know... Sir, I apologize for my ignorance."
    "No matter. Are you familiar with the highway project?"
    "Yes, it is the prince consort's current favorite development to promote tourism and healthy industry in Scotland."
    "Creating more roads is a good scheme, though some feel it will spoil Scotland. I support industries that increase Scotland's finances and provide work for those who have lost their means."
    "Do you support Scotland's growing tourist industry?"
    "To some extent. I do not want my own estate to become a well-trodden symbol of the romantic Highlands. My father regarded Dundrennan as a historical treasure and would have thrown open our doors to the public, but I prefer that it stay private."
    "Yet you allow a public road through your property."
    "The estate and deed are mine, but most of the land in Scotland belongs to the crown. The landowner's permission is sometimes only a legal formality. Parliament takes precedence in matters like public roads, and the road would have been brought through here regardless. At least this way I have a say in how it cuts through my property."
    "I see. What if the wall on that hillside proves to be a national treasure, Sir Aedan? You cannot deny