“Nay,” Aidam replied quickly. He held out his hand, and she took it. “A dance.”
They shook, and Ellie grinned. “Let the games begin,” she declared, then dropped his hand and scampered off into the crowd to find Jemina.
Aidam chuckled and strolled over to Colin in a much more leisurely manner. It was almost sad how easy his win would be.
* * *
“I’ve seen ye looking at that young lad,” Ellie said as she approached Jemina. “Colin Maguire, isnae he?”
Jemina spun, her eyes wide and cheeks burning red, though she relaxed into an uneasy smile when she saw it was Ellie who spoke. “Keep yer voice down,” she hissed. “Someone might hear.”
“And why should they nae?” Ellie asked with a shrug. “Ye’re the Laird’s daughter and lovely beyond measure. Any man who ye take a fancy tae has been blessed above all the others, and he should be more than grateful for any affection ye show.”
“I dinnae have afancy,” Jemina replied, rolling her eyes. “I just…like looking. From afar.”
Ellie folded her arms.“Is that so?” she asked, trying and failing to keep the skepticism out of her tone. “So, then, ye’d object to the idea of dancing with him, would ye?”
Jemina’s eyes widened, and Ellie tried not to giggle. The lass was obviously entranced by the thought of a dance with the young lad. “I…dance? He’ll never ask me.”
Ellie shrugged. “Because he’s scared, I bet,” she said. “Lots of men were scared to approach me. They found a powerful Laird’s daughter intimidating. Maybe his mother and father have even forbidden him from approaching in case he offends ye or yer father. It’s nae working if that’s the case, though.”
“What do ye mean?” Jemina asked cautiously.
“Have ye nae noticed?” Ellie asked, nodding toward Colin, smiling to herself as Jemina turned to watch him, her eyes wide. “The lad cannae stop sneaking glances at ye.”
“Stop!” Jemina demanded, spinning back around to face Heloise. Her face and ears burned even redder. “Ye’re mistaken, Heloise. What would he find to stare at in someone like me?”
“Whatever do ye mean?” Ellie asked.
“I’m…me,” Jemina said hesitantly, gesturing up and down her body. “Barely any breasts and tiny hips. A face as plain as daily bread. Lank brown hair, me mother’s eyes. I’m naught to attract a handsome young man like Colin. Me father will marry me off to whoever is the most politically viable. Romance isnae for lassies like me.”
Ellie frowned. Her amusement was entirely gone. Something akin to anger remained. Who would make this girl feel this way? “Who told ye that?” she asked, perplexed at how little Jemina thought of herself.
Jemina shrugged uncomfortably. “Everyone. Me friends. Me tutors. Me…”
“Yer father? Has yer father told ye this?” Ellie demanded. It was suddenly absolutely essential that she knew the truth of this.
Jemina said nothing.
How many times did me own father lift me confidence when it was shattered? How could any father provide his daughter with less?
Ellie put her hands out and rested them on Jemina’s shoulders, forcing the girl to look at her. “Jemina,” she said firmly. “Ye are the bonniest lassie I’ve ever seen.”
Jemina glanced away. “Heloise, dinnae…”
“Jemina,” Ellie told her, even more stubbornly. “Ye arebonny.Say it.”
“I cannae.”
“Sayit!”
“I…” Jemina started. The girl looked from Ellie to where Aidam was now talking to Colin and back again. “I’m…bonny…” she whispered uncertainly.
“Again.”
“I’m…bonny?”
Ellie smiled. “Ye’re right, ye sure are. The bonniest lass in the clan. Dinnae ever let anyone make ye feel any different, ye hear me?” Jemina gave her an unsure nod.“Good, now let’s go fetch ye that dance partner.”
