She slumped on the bench she had been sitting on.
Orlagh swatted her shoulder lovingly. “Come now, ye must maintain propriety at all times,” she scolded playfully. “And ye must enjoy these days while ye can. One day ye will be old, and ye will need stories to entertain yerself when ye can do naught but watch yer children live their lives.”
Talia sat straighter and gave her a soft look, before wrapping her in a hug. “I promise to stop complaining, and I will try to be more entertaining.”
“Ye have indeed been most entertaining, dear Talia,” Orlagh said with a smile. “Now come, let us take a turn about the gardens and talk about yer suitors.”
“Oh, me Lady,” Talia groaned. “They have been most frustrating. Well, all except Hayden, of course.”
Hayden had indeed been the most entertaining of her suitors, even if Darragh had ended their meeting on a sour note. She certainly hoped Hayden wouldn’t let his rudeness keep him from visiting again, or she would be most disappointed.
Even if she didn’t end up marrying him, he would make the entire ordeal more tolerable by providing a distraction.
“Hayden?” Orlagh echoed as they rose to their feet.
“Aye,” Talia uttered. “From Clan Macintosh. He was rather pleasant, and he has a good sense of humor.”
“Oh, I ken his faither,” Orlagh said with a nod. “The man is a pleasant fellow. ‘Tis good his son inherited his good nature. Is he handsome?”
“Aye,” Talia answered, leaning into her. “He is verra handsome. And his eyes are a lovely shade of blue.”
“Is he more handsome than me Darragh?” Orlagh asked suddenly.
Talia started. How should she answer that question?
If she said yes, the woman would tease her endlessly, and if she said no, the woman would no doubt wax lyrical about her son’s charms. Orlagh had already spent the entire day comparing her suitors to Darragh, and the fact that she had done so mortified her to no end.
“I didnae compare,” Talia hedged, noting the mocking glint in the woman’s eyes.Coward,it almost seemed to say, but she ignored it.
She didn’t want to think of Darragh anymore when she was already so embarrassed.
He thought she had been enjoying Hayden’s attentions, when it was the memory of his touch that made her go still.
“So what happened with Hayden?” Orlagh probed. “Do ye think he’ll come see ye again?”
“I daenae ken,” Talia answered with a frown. “The Laird scared him away. It almost seems as though he is against me choosing anyone.”
“Why do ye think so?”
“He all but chased Hayden away when we were talking. I was so embarrassed. If he comes back after that, I would deem him most brave.”
“Darragh might have had good intentions.”
Talia shook her head. “I cannae look beyond how rudely he treated him. I wouldnae be able to face him again without remembering today.”
Just then, Orlagh winced and rubbed her lower back.
“Are ye well, me Lady?” Talia asked worriedly. “Shall I call for a maid to take ye back to yer chambers?”
“Oh, daenae worry about me,” Orlagh muttered. “These old bones of mine have seen all there is to see.”
“Nay, me Lady. Ye’re still verra young. I shall see if I can make ye a balm to help with yer aches and then some medicine to improve yer health.”
“Oh, daenae worry yerself, child,” Orlagh murmured. “I ken it will be difficult to do any work without yer tools. I will manage as I always have.”
“What is the use of me presence here if I am unable to help ye?” Talia insisted. “All I need is to have a room set up, and I can work with whatever is available.”
“Oh, Talia,” Orlagh sighed, patting her hand. “Ye’re an absolute angel.”
