“Aye, that’s MacKinnon,” Jeanne said, sighing as if it were commonplace knowledge.
Jeanne went forward to congratulate her brother as the crowd encircled Jared. Hope tried to keep her gaze on Graham, but he was already moving towards the tents and fanfare of the festival further down the mountain.
Hope watched him walk away for a few moments before joining the others as the rest of the competitors came across the finish line. After the last man had come back, an informal garden tea commenced. Everyone ate, drank, and laughed as stories were told. While Hope enjoyed the laissez-faire atmosphere of the party, she couldn’t help but glimpse over her shoulder from time to time, wondering where Graham had gone.
Once the meal was finished, Hope and her sisters, along with Jeanne and Rose, accompanied Jared and his brothers down the hill towards the makeshift tent town. As they approached the festival, Hope noticed a large stone circle in the center with massive amounts of dry wood, leaning together in a triangle.
“When will the bonfire begin?” she asked.
“Aye, we’ll light it just as sunset,” Jared said, pointing to the horizon. “Not too long now.”
He offered her his arm as they came to a rocky stream and Hope took it. Jared was gentle and had a good temperament, but Hope felt no draw toward him. Not like she did for his cousin. Hope removed her hand from his arm after she was back on solid ground.
“Thank you,” she said as she traipsed forward, hoping to match the pace with her sisters, as Rose hurried ahead.
Oh, dear. Hope debated going after her, to explain that she had no designs on Jared, but Jeanne caught up with her.
“There’s no point in saying anything about Jared to her,” she whispered as she leaned towards Hope. “She’ll just deny having any feelings for him.”
“But I don’t want her to think I have designs on your brother.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“But why?” Hope asked as they walked. “If she feels a certain way, she should be honest. If not with him, then at least with herself.”
Jeanne shrugged.
“She’s an odd bird. I’ve told her many times that the only way to get Jared to notice her is to approach him head-on, and tell him exactly how she feels. He’s a bit of a dolt in these sorts of matters.”
“Jeanne, he’s your brother.”
“Exactly, which is why I can talk about him like this. He may not be a fool in some areas, but Jared is only aware of things in his direct line of vision and if Rose insists on living on the edge of his view, then nothing with ever come from her feelings for him.” Jeanne climbed nimbly over a relatively large boulder before continuing. “I offered a dozen times to help her, but she always refuses.”
“Perhaps she’s too shy?” Hope offered as they came to the edge of the tent town. “Or maybe she’s afraid he’ll reject her?”
“That could be,” Jeanne said, though she didn’t sound convinced. “You see, I think she likes a bit of pining, but too much isn’t good for your health.”
“Well, perhaps we can help,” Hope said, as the wheels of her mind began to turn. She frowned. “But what can we do? We need to get Jared’s attention and somehow make sure that Rose is at the center of it.” She bit the inside of her lip as she thought. “Maybe we can force Jared to see her, to actually take notice of her.”
Jeanne eyed her suspiciously.
“How would we do that?”
“I’m not sure. Does she have any talents? Can she sing?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Can she play an instrument? The piano forte perhaps?” Jeanne shook her head and Hope’s shoulders dropped. “If only there was some way to put her front and center.”
After a moment, Jeanne’s fingers slapped against Hope’s forearm.
“She can dance.”
Hope gave her a pained smile. Jeanne didn’t seem to understand.
“Well of course she can. All ladies can dance.”
“No, not the kind of dancing you’re picturing. Here, I have an idea.” She said and leaned close to her ear. “Rose can sword dance.”
