“Because she can be incredibly rude indeed when she doesnae like someone,” Erskine followed her, making another grab for the hat, though she dodged out of the way. “Och, do I have to stare at the top of yer hat for this whole outin’?”
“Yes, you must,” Laura teased, practically pulling the hat down to cover her face completely. “I cannot risk discovery!”
“Aye, very well,” Erskine lifted the hat slightly, bringing the two of them close together. Laura held her breath briefly at the closeness between them.
She cleared her throat just as someone passed them by in the street, alerting Erskine to how this could look between them.
“Ah,” he said, stepping away again, “ye make it difficult to stay away from ye, ye ken.”
Laura smiled, thrilled by these words as she followed him down the street.
“Where is it we are going?”
“Ye’ll see.”
* * *
Erskine had shown Laura all his favorite spots in the town, including the view from the clifftops down across the beach and the quieter streets of the town up behind the castle. Laura had been amazed by them all, and just as Erskine teased her, saying that this was beyond proof that England could not share Scotland’s beauties, she had been very tempted to agree with him. At one point, he told her he would have liked to show her the castle itself, especially the formal garden where he had spent many of his private moments growing up, but that would have to wait for another time. Sneaking Laura into the castle would be too much for that day.
They were sat outside an inn on the far side of town where Laura suddenly became jumpier. She could feel the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end, as though someone’s eyes rested there. She turned around, trying to see if someone was watching her, but she could only see a crowd of heads of people who were busy going about their day.
She returned her gaze to Erskine across the table as they shared some food, but still, that sensation lingered and only grew stronger by the minute. She was aware Erskine watched as she bent her head over her waterskin, hiding her eyes beneath the brim of her hat. It brought the laughter they had been sharing to a sudden sharp stop.
“What is it? Lau—”
“You should probably call me Billie when we’re in public,” Laura whispered, keeping her head low as she bent over the table toward him.
“As ye wish,” he murmured, finishing the chunk of bread off the pewter plate in front of him. “What are ye afraid of all of a sudden?”
“It’s just…” she peered at him under the brim of her hat, her gaze darting around the road about them. “Don’t you feel like someone is watching us?”
“Watchin’!?” Erskine followed her gaze, looking between the faces nearby. The road was relatively busy, with everyone going about their normal business. “I daenae see anyone.”
“I just feel like I have eyes on the back of my head, you know the feeling?” Laura looked up at him and found him staring at her for a minute. When he didn’t reply, she nudged him. “Erskine?” She waved in front of his face, trying to get his attention.
“Apologies,” he smiled, breaking the spell for a moment. “I was a little distracted.”
“You don’t believe me, do you?” Her eyes were wide.
“It’s nae that,” he shook his head, “I just daenae feel it.” He looked around another time, clearly checking to see if anyone was staring their way, but with no luck. He returned his gaze to her. “Though I suppose if anyone is watchin’ us, this may look a little strange.”
“What will?” Laura asked, setting down her waterskin, nervous of those words.
“If anyone does see us together,” Erskine lowered his voice, “Dearg’s teasin’ will never end.”
“Is he still saying things?” Laura asked, her blue eyes wide. She had seen how Dearg’s teasing had affected Erskine on the journey. Coming home and finding that it had not ended must have been infuriating.
“Aye, even said as much to me faither. Can ye believe that?” Erskine shook his head. There was sudden anger in his face, frustration too.
“Why does Dearg not like me?” Laura frowned, tilting her head to the side.
“I daenae ken,” Erskine sighed, passing a last piece of the bread they had shared toward Laura, “here, eat up. On that subject, it is hardly rare for him to dislike somethin’ I do.”
“What does that mean?”
“The way he’s always been,” Erskine grimaced. “Brothers, I guess, always want what the other has. It’s the way it is with Dearg anyway. Always wanted what I had. Never changed. Guess when I took a likin’ to ye, it was just that raisin’ it’s ugly head again.”
Laura wriggled in her seat at the idea, aware of how uncomfortable such an idea was.
