His brow furrowed as he focused on the page in front of him, his masculine features becoming even sharper. When he turned the page, his jaw flexed then relaxed, a hard line that his beard did nothing to hide. Even doing something as mundane as reading, he still seemed powerful, untouchable, and inexplicably compelling.
Her face burning with a blush she couldn’t quite explain, she returned her attention to the story in front of her. The last thing she wanted was to be caught staring, especially when she couldn’t provide a reason for it, not even to herself.
While Lucas had picked up a book, he hadn’t been able to focus on the words in front of him. Now that he’d heard Flora’s voice again, he couldn’t stop thinking about it. He wanted to keep hearing her speak. If he weren’t so worried about overwhelming her and forcing her into silence once more, he’d ask every question he’d meant to since they’d met. Instead, he kept an eye on her as she read, a gesture he told himself was purely protective.
Finally, she came to the end of the chapter. He cleared his throat, catching her attention without frightening her. When she turned to look at him, he said, “Do ye have any family that we can find for ye? I’d hate for them to be worryin’ about yer wellbeing.”
Almost immediately, Flora began shaking her head violently. It was a frantic movement, panic seeming to roll off of her. Whatever had happened with her family, it was clearly a sore subject, one that he’d inadvertently made her remember. He hadn’t seen her look this scared since that day in the clearing.
“Ye daenae have to do anythin’ that ye daenae want to,” he said, frowning. “I’m askin’ ifyewant me to find someone for ye. You’re welcome to stay here for as long as ye want.”
“Nay,” she said after a moment, the word firm. “Nay, there’s nay one that I’d like ye to find for me.”
The hurt in her voice was so visceral that Lucas felt an overwhelming urge to find out who had done this to her and hunt them down. He wanted to make them feel exactly what Flora was feeling. Heneededthem to hurt worse than she was.
Ach, but I cannae go and do that right now. I daenae want to scare the poor lass any more than she already is. She just regained her ability to speak. If I behave like a monster, she may stop speakin’ again.
“The other girls,” Flora said after a moment, obviously uncomfortable with the subject. “I havenae heard from them. Are they still with the other lairds? Are they safe?”
“Aye,” Lucas said, setting the book he’d been holding onto to the side. “They’re safe. The other lairds that assisted me in rescuin’ all of ye are seein’ to that. We wanted to ensure ye all had accessto the best resources. I can pass along messages and letters to them if ye’d like.”
“I would like that,” she said tenderly. “And… the men that did that to us. Are they… Have ye captured all of them?”
“All but one of them are dead,” Lucas said, not wanting to hide anything from her. “The man is named Lewis. He managed to escape. Hector, another laird, a man I’d trust with me life, is huntin’ him down.” He leaned forward, ensuring she was looking at him directly. “When Hector finds that man, that monster, he willnae be able to escape. He willnae hurt another person. I can promise ye that.”
Flora let out a sigh of relief, her features softening. She looked down at the book in her hands as she said, “I’m glad to hear it. I daenae want anyone else to suffer in the way that we did. We were so helpless. He and those other lairds used it to their advantage.”
“Those men were only lairds in title,” Lucas said fiercely, his anger returning with a vengeance. “A laird is meant to protect the vulnerable, nae use them for his own sick games.”
“I’m beginnin’ to realize that,” she said, a slight smile settling on her lips. “Thank ye for showin’ me that those werenae real lairds.”
“Me only regret is nae findin’ ye sooner,” he said, his mind trailing off.
Flora had said it herself; she and the other women were vulnerable, and they’d been exploited because of that. As much as he wanted to declare that he’d keep her safe, he knew as well as anyone that it only took a moment for something awful to happen, and he wouldn’t always be there to protect her. His job wouldn’t allow it.
Perhaps what she needs is to be able to defend herself.
“Flora,” he said, breaking the thoughtful quiet they’d fallen into. “Would ye be interested in learnin’ how to fight, so ye’re nae as vulnerable to people like him?”
She stared at him, surprise flashing in her obsidian eyes. Then, a grin broke out as she began to nod enthusiastically. “Yes, I’d like that very much,” she said. A flicker of uncertainty crossed her features. “Ye’d really teach me how to protect meself?”
“Aye, of course, I would,” Lucas said as he stood. “I need to get some things prepared first. We will start trainin’ in two days after our mornin’ meal. Does that sound agreeable, Flora?”
“It does, aye,” she said, her grin returning, then she murmured, “And… thank ye. For bein’ patient with me and savin’ me and… everythin’. I daenae ken how I’ll ever repay ye.”
“Ye daenae have to worry about repayin’ me,” he told her, standing at the threshold. “I’m only doin’ what’s right.”
He waited until she nodded her affirmation before leaving. There were lessons he had to plan. On the way to his office, he nodded at Annabeth and Elizabeth, who seemed to be on their way to the library.
Elizabeth is goin’ to be excited once she learns that Flora can speak.
“Uncle Lucas!” Elizabeth exclaimed as he passed them. “Do ye have time to come and read to me?”
“Ach, I daenae, Elizabeth,” he said apologetically, stopping to face her. “Perhaps another time?”
“Ye always say that,” she groaned before grabbing onto Annabeth’s hand and pulling her back on their way.
“He’s a busy man, Elizabeth,” Annabeth said, giving Lucas an amused smile over her shoulder before letting herself be led away.
