Kristen asked the children to walk ahead as she beckoned to the maid.
“Me Lady,” the maid greeted with a curtsy.
“Inform the others to prepare a proper breakfast tomorrow. The Laird has returned.”
The maid’s face went pale. “The Lai?—”
“Aye. Me husband. He is back. Inform the others as soon as ye can, do ye hear me?”
“Aye, me Lady,” the maid responded, her voice clear but somewhat filled with questions Kristen did not have the time to answer.
She watched the maid leave and then caught up to the children.
“Will the wind hear us?” Anna asked.
Kristen slipped her hand back into hers. “It will,” she replied. “But it willnae bother ye if ye arenae scared of it. Maggie will also mind ye.”
“Maggie minds nay one else,” Finn boasted. “Only me.”
“Then we are in the best hands,” Kristen said.
They reached the children’s chamber, and Kristen stepped in first. The fire illuminated a neat stack of books and a wooden horse on its side, as if it had fallen asleep mid gallop. Moira had left a candle safe in its cup.
Finn tugged Kristen toward the bed. “Tell us the story about the bee who wore a bonnet,” he demanded.
“That is nonsense,” Kristen chuckled.
“It is the best one,” Finn insisted.
“The bee goesbzzz,” Anna said solemnly.
“Indeed,” Kristen agreed.
She tucked them under covers and sat on the edge. Maggie flopped on the rug with a heavy sigh, satisfied to have her flock in a pile again.
Kristen set her hands on the blanket and let the silence of their small world envelop her. Her marriage felt like a house built wrong and left in a storm. The children were in the warm room with the door shut, and tonight, she would stay inside it.
“Sleep, wee lambs,” she murmured. “I am here.”
Finn’s eyes grew heavy. Anna hummed and pressed into Kristen’s hip. Even the dog’s breathing evened out.
Kristen kept her eyes on the children. She would face the morning when it came. Tonight, she would be their ma and let the castle enjoy its peace. Or at the very least the illusion of it.
The next morning found her in the courtyard because that was where everything seemed to settle. The sun warmed the stones while Finn chased Maggie with a wooden horse. Anna totteredafter them, laughing when the dog stole the toy and pranced away with it.
“Faster!” Finn cried.
“She is a thief,” Kristen said, clapping. “Catch her, Captain.”
Maggie dodged, but eventually let Finn win. Anna tried to sit on the horse and scolded the dog in a serious voice.
Their joy soothed Kristen’s nerves.
She kept moving with them.
Toss the ball. Tap the hoop. Praise the catch.
The movements seemed simple enough.
