Even though he stood so controlled, so unreadable, she couldn’t help but think that maybe he was sad. Maybe he had simply grown used to carrying the grief alone.
She was the one who was supposed to say something comforting. Yet, before she could say anything, William spoke.
“Daenae look sad.” He let out a low chuckle
The sound was so deep and unexpected that it completely caught her off guard. A quiet laugh in this moment, out of all moments?
“It happened many years ago,” he added, as though it were a simple fact that could make the reality better. As though it could change the fact that two lives were taken without mercy.
Sorcha blinked slowly. She felt the urge to ask him everything.
Did ye feel alone after?
Did anyone take care of ye when it happened?
Do ye still miss them?
But she swallowed back the questions. It wasn’t the right time. Besides, she knew that look. It was the look of a man who had decided long ago that some things were better kept locked away. And she knew, deep in her bones, that she was not the person he would choose to open that door for.Yet.
So she chose something else: light.
Taking a steadying breath, she lifted her shoulders slightly and said, “Since we’re both new to this, why daenae we just wander? Up and down. Through the stalls and the games. We’ll stop when something catches our interest.”
The suggestion felt small, harmless. Safe.
William studied her for a moment, then nodded. “All right.”
He did not sound particularly eager or commanding, just content to be included. To let her lead.
They resumed walking.
Their steps were slow and unhurried, allowing the joy in the atmosphere to swell around them. They passed stalls laden with jars of honey and carved trinkets. They passed through games where men shouted and laughed. The harmonious melody continued to drift through the air like a living thing.
Sorcha’s steps slowed as she took it all in. The fair was less frightening than she had initially thought.
Her eyes landed on a particular stall tucked between two larger ones. The table was covered in ribbons, combs, and little ornaments meant for lasses.
“So pretty,” she murmured, stepping closer without thinking.
The items were simple. Nothing extravagant. But the lovely colors drew her in all the same.
“Beautiful, is it nae?” the woman behind the stall asked kindly.
Sorcha nodded. “Aye. How much?”
Her smile dropped when she heard the price. She hadn’t taken enough money with her.
She forced a polite smile, stepping back. “Thank ye.”
She turned away at once, lifting her chin as though it did not matter, even though a sharp little ache was already forming in her chest.
Even if she had taken enough money with her, the items were far too expensive. It did not help that she had no access to her inheritance until she remarried. So, until then, she could not afford everything she wanted.
She turned back to find William engaged in conversation with a man nearby. His back was turned to her, and she was grateful for that. At least, he wouldn’t have witnessed the embarrassment she had just endured.
“We can go now,” she whispered, as though nothing had happened at all.
He nodded. Once he had ended his conversation, they began to move at once. By the time they stopped at a game that caught their attention, the sun had begun to sink.
