Piper turnedto find Masie and Connor standing at the entrance to the keep, both looking worried.
“Are ye all right?”Connor asked. “We heard noises.”
“Who were those people?”Masie demanded. “Why were they shoutin’ at ye?”
Piper forced a smile,pushing down her confusing tangle of emotions. “I’m fine. They were just some people from me past. But they’re gone now.”
“Are they comin’back?” Connor’s voice was small.
“Nay,”Piper said firmly, moving toward them. “They’re nae comin’ back. Yer faither made sure of that.”
“Da protected ye,”Masie said slowly, something shifting in her expression. “He… he really stood up for ye.”
“Aye. He did.”
“That was…”Masie stopped, seeming to struggle with something. “That was very brave of him.”
Piper smiled,genuinely this time. “Aye. It was.”
“So, what happens now?”Connor asked.
“Now,”Piper said, an idea beginning to form. “We plan somethin’ special. Somethin’ for ye, me, and yer faither to do together. Would ye like that?”
“With Da?”Connor’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“Really.He wants to spend more time with ye both. He just needs a little help figurin’ out how.”
Masie’s expression was skeptical.“And ye think whatever ye’re plannin’ will actually work?”
“I thinkthat it’s worth tryin’,” Piper said gently. “Do ye nae?”
Masie wasquiet for a long moment. Then, so softly Piper almost didn’t hear, she said, “Aye. It’s worth tryin’.”
“Then come on,”Piper said, linking her arms through both of theirs. “Let’s go plan somethin’ that’ll help yer faither remember why he loves ye so much.”
As they walked backinto the castle together, Piper felt that warm feeling in her chest grow stronger.
She loved Elijah.And maybe he’d never love her back. But she could still help him. Could still make a difference in his life and his children’s lives.
And for now,that would have to be enough.
Even if herheart wanted so much more.
20
“Me lady? May I speak with ye for a moment?”
Piper foundElijah’s mother in the solar, embroidering by the window where the afternoon light was strongest. Amara looked up with a warm smile.
“Of course,dear. Come in, come in.” She set aside her needlework and patted the seat beside her. “What’s on yer mind?”
Piper settled into the chair,her hands twisting together in her lap. “It’s about Elijah. And the children.”
“Ah.”Amara’s eyes lit with interest. “Go on.”
"The childrenand I talked earlier about ways they could spend time with their faither. Connor suggested swordplay, and Masie thought maybe ridin' lessons." Piper paused. "But I want to findsomethin' that Elijah would actually enjoy teachin'. Somethin' that would feel natural for him, nae just another duty."
Amara studiedher with knowing eyes. "Ye care for him."
