“She sang everywhere,” Ava added. “Even when Uncle said it made his head hurt.”
“That was the point,” Olivia quipped.
They all laughed again, their voices contrasting beautifully with the crackle of the fire.
After a tense pause, Catriona began to hum an old Highland lullaby. Her voice was thin yet sure. Emma felt the tune move through her before she thought to join. She did, softly at first, then steadily. Their voices met and did the work.
Stella’s lashes lowered, and her busy fingers released Emma’s hair. A moment later, her breathing slowed, and her eyes closed.
“Ye see,” Catriona whispered when the last note faded. “Peace.”
“Aye,” Emma murmured. “For now.”
A maid brought a cushion, and Emma shifted, careful not to wake the child.
“Would ye like tea, me Lady?” the maid asked.
“Aye, thank ye.”
“Ye’ll want shortbread with that,” Ava piped up.
Emma opened her mouth to protest, but her sister was already one step ahead.
“Daenae lie.”
“I’ll have one piece,” Emma said.
“Two,” Ava countered. “Or ye’ll steal mine.”
Catriona shook her head, amused. “I’ll have three, since I can count.”
“Four,” Olivia said. “On account of age and rank.”
Laughter rose again, and something loosened in the hall. It also loosened something in Emma.
The tea came later, and everyone was served a cup. Emma held hers with one hand and kept the other on Stella’s back. The child slept on, heedless of the fresh log popping in the fire or Ava’s scolding when a crumb fell on the rug. The older woman had steered the discussion to something Emma couldn’t be bothered to grow an interest in while Ava finished her tea.
Emma looked down at Stella, who was still sound asleep, and returned her gaze to her twin sister. “Ye ken, sometimes I wish I could sleep like that,” she confessed, her voice lowering with each word.
“Is that nae what ye have been doing since ye arrive at MacLeod Castle?” Ava asked, her eyebrow raised. “Sleeping like a baby?”
Emma pressed her lips into a thin line. “I suppose ye’re right.”
“Of course I am,” Ava huffed, a mild grimace on her face.
Emma responded with a mild grin.
“Ye are staying then,” Ava added. It was not quite a question.
Emma kept her gaze on the baby’s sleeping face. “I have only three more nights,” she said. “He means to prove himself, and I still intend to let him.”
“And if he does, what then?” Ava asked.
“Then I will consider it,” Emma replied. “That is all.”
“Consider what?” Ava pressed, her eyes too bright.
“Daenae begin,” Emma warned. “Nae in front of the bairn.”
