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merely confirmed the other man’s suspicions. Coll cleared his throat. “It’s not what—”
    A torrent of words rushed out of his visitor’s mouth, cutting him off. “I’m sorry, Coll, I never thought. I mean, I wouldn’t hae come if—it was just—” He twisted his cap between his hands.
    Violet covered her mouth to hide a smile as Coll said something short and sharp under his breath and stepped out the door, pulling it almost closed behind him. “What is it, Dougal? The sun’s barely up, man. Could you not wait?”
    Violet gave way to giggles as the two men talked on the porch. She did her best to pull her face back into sober lines when Coll stepped back into the room, but her effort clearly failed, given the scowl Coll directed at her.
    â€œYou’re laughing?”
    She pressed her lips together, but somehow it only made her want to giggle more. “You looked—you looked so guilty!”
    â€œI dinna,” he grumbled. “I thought you would be embarrassed. But clearly I dinna need to worry about that.”
    â€œI can’t control what other people think about me, Mr. Munro. I gave up worrying about it long ago.”
    â€œBut your reputation—”
    â€œIs abysmal. I think we have already established that I don’t act as a lady should. I am pushy and sharp-tongued and stubborn. What does it matter if people decide I’m a hussy as well? ’Tis you who should worry about blackening your reputation by associating with one such as I,” she said lightly, standing up. “Now, I think we really should be on our way, shouldn’t we?”
    He looked at her for a moment, and then, surprising her, he laughed. “Aye, I suppose we should.” Coll grabbed a coat from a hook on the wall and pulled it on as he ushered Violet out the door. “Easiest way to get there is to take the road.” He gestured through the tall gates. “There’s also a path from the gardens behind the house. It’s shorter, but a rougher walk. If you like, we can return that way.”
    He set out with a long, easy stride that ate up the distance. Violet had to hurry to keep up with him, but she was accustomed to doing whatever was necessary to put her on an equal footing with the men her uncle taught.
    â€œDo people often come to your door at dawn?” she asked, a little breathless but determined not to show it.
    â€œI suppose they must since I had two of them this morning.” Coll cast her a teasing glance, then slowed his pace.
    â€œThere’s no reason to go at a snail’s pace for me,” Violet assured him, marching on at the same rate. Coll, looking amused, returned to his usual speed.
    â€œTo answer your question, no, they are not always so early. But it comes with running Duncally.” He sighed. “Dougal’s wanting work for the winter while the croft’s idle.His wife’s going to have a bairn in April, he says, and they need the money. His da’s croft can’t support them all as it is.”
    â€œI would think they might have considered that before.”
    â€œAye, of course.” The corner of his mouth quirked up. “But reason isna what’s driving one at the time.” He stopped, looking chagrined. “I’m sorry. That’s not fit talk for a lady’s ears.”
    â€œI think we’ve established I’m a lady only by birth,” she retorted. “I’m not easily shocked.”
    The road leveled out, and Coll turned to the right. There before them were a group of long, weathered stones standing improbably on end.
    â€œOh!” Violet stopped abruptly, her breath catching. “A ring!” She turned to Coll, her face radiant. “I didn’t realize! There is a circle of standing stones here as well!”
    She hurried toward the ancient rocks as if drawn by some unseen force, her steps quickening until she was almost