Her steps faltered, and Stella shifted to make a small sound. Not quite a protest, more of a breath caught on the edge of a change.
Ava turned at once. “What is it?”
“Nothing,” Emma said quickly, forcing a smile that cost more than it should. “I thought I heard something.”
“Ye did,” Ava confirmed. “They were whispering like lads who had forgotten where they stood.” She glanced at the guards and lowered her voice. “What do ye think they were talking about? Something the Laird did, maybe?”
“I daenae ken,” Emma responded.
Now that she thought about it, she could almost smell the smoke in the air along with the rain. Somethingwasburning, yet as far as she could see, there was no fire.
“Ye think he killed something? Or someone?” Ava asked, leaning closer, her tone teasing.
However, Emma couldn’t shake away the feeling that had arisen solely from that thought.
Killed someone.
“Emma, I am just joking,” Ava added almost immediately, noticing the tense look on her sister’s face.
“Aye, I ken that,” Emma muttered. “Daenae make a meal of it.”
“Ye made a meal of it with yer face,” Ava pointed out. “Ye went from honey to vinegar in a blink.”
“Leave it, Ava,” Emma sighed. “Please.”
Ava’s lips thinned. “Aye. For now.”
They moved on. The path curved by the herb beds. This was the exact same place Emma had helped the maid plant the flowers the other day. Her eyes settled on the fresh soil and then flicked up to the sky. Butterflies flew past, along with bees, taking a stop on each petal before going on their merry way again.
“Look,” Ava said, nodding toward the sky. “Swallows for luck.”
“Luck is a lazy woman’s prayer,” Emma said.
“It is,” Ava agreed. “And swallows are pretty. Ye can admire both.”
They reached the small arch that opened onto the outer walk and paused. Emma watched as Duncan came through from the far side, his stride brisk and his gaze sweeping the courtyard. She exhaled as he drew closer. She wasn’t exactly sure of what she might get this time around.
“Lady Emma,” he greeted, bowing his head.
“Duncan,” Emma returned.
“The Laird has doubled the watches,” he said without preamble. “Best ye stay inside the main walls.”
Emma tightened her hold on Stella. “Is something amiss?”
“Just a precaution,” he said. His tone was measured, but his eyes were unreadable.
“For what?” Ava asked.
“For whatever comes.” Duncan shifted as if the ground itself were tugging at him. “Stay close to the hall.” He gave a second, shorter bow and left before either could press him further.
Ava watched him go.
“Just a precaution,” she repeated incredulously. She turned back to Emma. “Still think he is harmless?”
“I daenae ken,” Emma replied. “But I cannae look at him and see a monster either.”
“Maybe ye are looking with the wrong eyes,” Ava said dryly. “Ye look with yer heart and call it sense.”
