A rustle ran through the crowd. A group of children squealed and began chasing each other, darting in and out of adult hands attempting to rein them in.
Ewan smiled. “My daughter, Lady Dahlia Campbell, has burst into our lives, bringing with her a spark of complete joy. Lady Kildrum and I wish tae share some of that joy with ye tonight. So please join us in welcoming Lady Dahlia.”
Ewan waved his hand toward the back of the lawn, signaling to someone.
The crowd rotateden masse, people bopping onto tiptoe to see what Ewan was pointing to.
“What is this surprise?” Simon murmured at her side.
Eilidh shook her head, but a terrible sense of foreboding bloomed in her stomach.
The low pop of the rocket igniting was all the warning she received.
BOOM!
A firework exploded overhead, a brilliant ball of orange.
“Oooooh!” a collective gasp went up from the crowd.
Sparks cascaded in an arc.
Children screamed in delight. A smattering of applause rippled outward.
“Gracious!” Simon said, his voice full of wonder, head tilted skyward.
Eilidh, however, was frozen.
Her heart took off like a mad beast, rampaging in her chest.
Another pop.
BOOM!
A starburst cascaded around them.
She whimpered, hands wrapping around her stomach.
She hadn’t known this would happen. She hadn’t had time to prepare.
And on the back of refusing Simon and opening herself up to the possibility of Kieran . . .
Her barriers were too fragile, too raw.
BOOM!
The sound was cannon fire attacking the blank numbness of her memories.
No. Not this. Not now.
She pressed shaking palms over her ears, anything to stem the sound.
But it was no use.
The noise was too loud, too familiar.
The ache in her chest too strong.
BOOM!
