Free Anna of Strathallan by Essie Summers

less antagonistic.
    He left her to assist Philip and Gilbert retrieve a ewe that had lambed among some willow roots and was either having trouble getting out from among them, or was about to have a second lamb.
    Kitty called her. Another ewe was down. 'Anna, wipe its lamb free of mucous - like you saw us doing before - while I attend to her. There's another to come.'
    Anna said swiftly, 'Could I do what you're doing? I saw how last time. Or would I hurt her?'
    'No, love, go ahead. You'll never learn younger. Just ease it - she and the lamb'll do the rest. She's just a bit tired with the first effort.' She stooped to free the nostrils of the first lamb.
    Anna knew a moment of panic in case she did the wrong thing. Then she found herself talking reassuringly to the grunting ewe who now seemed to be doing her best; Anna got more confidence, and a firmer hold, she and the ewe synchronized, it seemed, and the next moment, to her astonishment, the smaller second lamb was kicking and unfolding on the ground.
    'I did it, I did it, I did it!' she exulted, in the tone of a successful Olympic winner, wiped over its face, stood up, still amazed at her achievement, and encountered the grins of the three men standing behind her.
    'Good for you,' said Philip.
    'And to think,' said Gilbert, 'that only yesterday Kitty was saying: "I do with it wasn't lambing-time. Used to tourist glamour and colour and heat, she'll find this so crude!" But you don't do you, my cushie doo? ... you were born to this sort of life.'
    Anna noticed that Calum and Philip looked swiftly away. Perhaps they were a little embarrassed at the sheer delight in the old man's voice. She realized everybody would be fiercely protective about the Drummonds, fearful no doubt that she might be the new broom that swept cleanly, remembering, possibly, stories of her father who, according to her mother, had known sudden and great enthusiasms that died down as quickly as they had come ... seeing always a new accomplishment that might offer something different, show quick returns, then having it pall as he realized that this too, like so many other skills, demanded good, honest, constant slogging.
    A little chill wind seemed to blow over her spirit. It would take so long to convince Calum she wasn't like that. How many people would be watching her? Then suddenly, hearteningly, she thought of Elizabeth and Rossiter Forbes who had been responsible for her being brought here. They had liked her for herself alone, long before they had known who she was. So at least she had two friends here, not far away. The thought of them made her want to mention them, to remind this dark-visaged man she was not quite* a stranger.
    'Some day, before too long, but only when you can spare the time, Grandmother, I'd like to go over to Elizabeth and Rossiter's place.'
    Kitty nodded. 'Surely, bairn. Oh, even in lambing we're not entirely tied to the place. Neither are they. It would be nice for you to see a familiar face, one that would link you with home.'
    A strange feeling quivered over Anna. It was almost physical. Out of it she said with conviction, 'Well, a link with my former life - with Fiji. But when Mother married Magnus, and sold the guest-house, that chapter of my existence was ended.'
    'So this is your home now,' said Gilbert, with the greatest satisfaction. 'Strathallan. Come on, time for lunch.'
    As they reached the vehicles Philip said, 'Like to come back with me, Anna? You could add to your education by helping me into the shed with the animals. Calum ought to go in and have a rest. He said his wound was hurting like hell now.'
    Anna saw two things. She saw her grandfather start as if to come in the truck with them, and her grandmother's hand go out to stay him. Why? She took a quick look at Kitty's face. It wore a look often to be seen in women's faces. A matchmaking, pleased look. She was sure that was it. As if an idea had hit Kitty.
    Oh dear! Kitty would feel that if her granddaughter