She did not know what hurt most. The kiss, the way he had pulled away, the words he had spoken after, or the ones he had left unsaid.
Her chest ached as if a hand was squeezing it hard. She turned onto her side and wiped her eyes with the heel of her palm. Her breathing steadied, then shook again.
A knock interrupted her quiet sobs, and she jerked upright and scrubbed at her face. She pulled the blanket straight and smoothed her skirt. By the time the lock lifted, she had her head bowed and her hands quiet in her lap.
Leah slipped in with her usual care. “I’ve drawn ye a bath, me Lady. The water’s still warm, and I—” She stopped.
Erica kept her back half turned and tugged the blanket again. “The market was busy,” she said, too quickly. “I thought someone was following us for a moment.”
Leah’s frown was small and sure. She crossed the room at once.
“Ye’re safe,” she said gently. “Ye must remember that. As long as ye are within MacMillan walls, nay one will touch ye.”
Erica’s gaze went to the door. “I am nay longer certain about that,” she said softly.
The words surprised her as they left her mouth. She felt the sting return to her eyes and blinked it back.
Leah’s hand came down on her shoulder, steady and warm. “Look at me,” she said.
Erica turned her head a little.
“Aye,” Leah said. “I ken the way fear sits after a fright. But ye are here. The guards are alert. Calum makes the rounds. The Laird gave the orders himself. If any man tries a thing, he willnae walk far.”
Erica nodded tentatively, as if trying on the truth. It did not fit.
Leah glanced toward the basin and the screen. “The bath will help,” she said. “Heat takes the shakes from the bones. Come.”
Erica stood up slowly. Her legs felt heavy. She gathered the belt of her robe and tied it tight. “Thank ye.”
Leah reached for a cloth and pressed it into her hand. “For yer face,” she said.
Erica dabbed at her eyes and the salt on her cheeks. The cool linen steadied her more than words had. She drew a breath that did not tremble.
“Did the kitchens send broth?” she asked, making her voice even.
“They did,” Leah said. “I will warm it while ye bathe. Ye will sleep after.”
Erica gave a small nod. “I will try.”
Leah drew closer, voice low. “If there is something ye need to say, say it to me, aye? I can keep a secret.”
Erica met her eyes and managed a thin smile. “I ken. Thank ye.”
Leah did not press. “Right,” she said. “Come, then.”
Erica followed, and the door remained shut behind them.
CHAPTER 22
Erica wokeup with a knot under her ribs. It sat there when she dressed. It sat there when Leah combed her hair. It sat there when she stepped into the passageway and took the long route to the hall.The route that did not pass by Alex’s study or the stairs he used at first light.
She was avoiding him.
She entered late enough that most of the hot trays had cooled. Grandmamma and Lady Bryden sat near the head, their teacups steaming.
Erica sat three seats down, far from the high chair. She kept her eyes on her plate and tore her bread into neat pieces that she did not eat.
Instead, she listened to the older women as they talked. She wasn’t particularly invested in their conversation, but she could hear bits and pieces. Enough to glean the subject.
