“Nae of ye, Lottie. OfFergus.”
“Fergus? Why would he be afraid of him?”
“Do ye really nae ken what kind of man yer brother is?”
“He’s nae that protective.”
Jeane snorted. “If ye say so.”
“I daenae understand,” Lottie argued. “He lets me do whatever I want, within reason.”
“That’s different from being courted, Lottie. Aiden probably thinks that Fergus will kill him.”
“He wouldnae.”
Jeane raised an eyebrow. “Wouldnae he?”
Jeane thought about all the times Fergus had threatened to kill men who might touch her. She could not imagine he felt any differently about his baby sister.
“It doesnae matter. Aiden doesnae want me anyway,” Lottie said miserably, plopping down on the edge of the bed. “He merely likes to pass the time, and he felt guilty about takin’ me to the lock and getting’ me sick.”
Jeane paused, thumbing through the closet to sit down next to her.
“What are ye talkin’ about, Lottie? Aiden’s mad about ye. It’s clear as a summer day.”
“It is?” Lottie looked up at her with wide, hopeful eyes.
Jeane smiled, finding the whole conversation adorable.
Young love,she thought.
“Of course, it is, ye dobber,” she teased. “He’s here every mornin’, isnae he?”
“Only because I’m sick,” Lottie insisted, her mouth turning down in a frown.
“Lottie. I’ve never seen a man more in love than Aiden, and that’s sayin’ somethin’. Mefriend Beatrice’s husband is absolutely enamored with her, and Aiden looks at ye just like that.”
“You mean it?” Lottie brightened a little. “It’s just… He doesnae talk to me, not when Fergus is around. Hardly even in private. He just looks and looks, listens to me go on and on.”
“He’s listenin’ to ye,” Jeane assured her. “He loves hearin’ yer voice.”
Lottie flushed. “I daenae ken.”
Jeane patted the young girl’s knee. “Ye’ll see, Lottie. When ye’re well, he will be here all the same.”
“Perhaps.”
Jeane sat there for a moment longer, but she understood that she could not force Lottie to understand. She would have to seefor herself. Jeane did not know much about Aiden, having barely spoken a few sentences to the man, but the longing in his eyes was obvious.
Jeane stood, going back to the closet. She finally found a simple shift dress. It was thin, but it was a warm day, and Lottie could use the fresh, clear air.
“I’m nae sure I’m up for a walk today, Liliana.”
Jeane paused, not recognizing the name for a second, and then she looked at Lottie. She placed her head on Lottie’s back, bidding her to cough. When Lottie did, Jeane lifted her head and smiled.
“Yer lungs sound clearer than they ever have. The more ye’re up and around, the faster ye’ll heal,” Jeane insisted. “Now, be a good patient and let me take ye for a walk.
Jeane handed her the dress and helped her change into it, buttoning the small buttons on the back for Lottie.
