Her dealings with Nell and with the other folk working on the duke’s land and in the palace always brought back memories for Jaime of her childhood in Scotland. There, in the Macpherson clan lands, the separation of the noble family from the people like Nell and her husband was unheard of. In many clans that Jaime knew of, the lairds and others of noble blood worked side by side with the common folk. The clan folk were loyal enough—they would die for the honor of their name without thinking twice—but the bonds that secured that loyalty were the thick cords of compassion and fair dealing. And this was the only way for Jaime.
Looking about and nodding to the passing workers, Jaime made her way through the grounds while her mind tried to think of ways to occupy the rest of her day. She had a
