The rest of their discussion was swallowed by a squeal and frantic shushing. Flora felt even more downtrodden, wondering if she’d ever get the chance to be so carefree. Considering the course her life had taken up until this point, she was doubtful.
“Nay point in dwellin’ on it,” she told herself, pushing the heavy front door open. “I just need to clear me head. Then I’ll feel better.”
A cool breeze caressed her cheeks, blowing stray strands of her dark hair away from her face. The sun warmed her shoulders, and when she took a breath, she immediately felt a bit lighter. The freedom she had to come and go here was unlike anything that she’d ever dreamed of.
“Flora!” Elizabeth called to her after ten minutes of contemplative walking. “I’m happy ye’re here!”
“Ach, I was just takin’ a walk,” Flora responded, stopping her journey as the girl rushed toward her. “What are ye doin’ out here? Does yer maither ken where ye are?”
“Aye, I wanted to play, but she was busy,” Elizabeth said with a bit of a pout, crossing her arms over her chest. “So she told meto come play out here.” She paused again, her face lighting up as an idea seemed to strike her. She clapped her hands together excitedly as she said, “Perhaps ye could play with me, Flora!”
Flora hesitated for a moment. She could use the distraction, and it wasn’t as if she had any obligations. Additionally, itwasimpossible to say no to the girl. How could anyone tell this sweet child they wouldn’t go along with whatever game she’d cooked up?
“Of course, I’ll play with ye,” Flora said, giving her the first real smile that she’d borne in days. “I could use a bit of fun.”
Elizabeth let out an excited cheer, bouncing on her toes as she grabbed onto Flora’s hand. Her excitement was contagious, and Flora found herself laughing along. She let herself be dragged off the path and toward the area where Elizabeth had been playing alone.
The girl stopped abruptly, a slight frown on her face. She stared up at Flora, chewing the inside of her cheek and digging her toe into the dirt beneath her as if she were deep in thought. Before Flora was given a chance to ask what was wrong, Elizabeth dropped her hand.
“I need one more person for the game I’d like to play,” she announced, putting her hands on her hips as the smile returned to her face. “Stay here. I’ll be back in a moment.”
Then, she took off, her short legs pumping so quickly that Flora worried she’d trip over the hem of her gown. When she wasnearly out of sight, she stumbled a bit. Shaking her head, Flora took off after her, wanting to ensure she didn’t injure herself.
She wasn’t sure whom Elizabeth could possibly have in mind. Annabeth was busy, and she’d heard that Matthew had been assigned intense training. A maid, perhaps? Florahadoverheard the conversation about a maid being thrown in the dungeons several days ago…
“Please!” Elizabeth said, her voice floating from around a corner as Flora approached the place she had disappeared to. “We need someone else for our game, Uncle Lucas. There’s nay one else who can play.”
“Yer maid doesnae want to play with ye?” Lucas replied, sounding as if he were close to giving in. “Ye ken I’m quite busy, Elizabeth.”
“Ye’re nae doin’ anythin’ right now,” she protested as Flora stepped into view, doing all but stomping her foot on the ground. “Besides, Flora’s waitin’ for us.”
Lucas’s eyes met Flora’s, and his tone became flat as he said, “Nay. Flora’s here, nae waitin’ for us.”
The lack of inflection in his voice felt like being plunged into a bath of cold water. She hadn’t been the only one pulling away; that much was obvious now. She tried to take a step back, to escape the situation, but Elizabeth turned and pinned her in place with a glare.
“I told ye to wait,” she said with a long-suffering sigh that seemed far too mature for her youth. “We cannae play here. Now, we all have to walk back.”
“I was worried ye were goin’ to fall,” Flora said, forcing normalcy into her voice. “I dinnae want ye to be hurt and waitin’ for someone to find ye.”
Her skin felt as if it were too tight under Lucas’s gaze. She wanted to run, but at the same time, she found herself hoping that he’d speak to her. After the heated kiss they’d shared and the terrifying interaction that had happened before it, her feelings were all out of sorts.
Even if we just spoke about the weather, maybe I’d be able to get meself back in order.
“I wasnae goin’ to fall!” Elizabeth protested, crossing her arms over her chest, completely oblivious to Flora’s internal dilemma.
“Ach, I’ve seen ye take a tumble or two,” Lucas observed, smiling with a warmth that Flora hadn’t seen from him before. “She was right to come after ye.”
Elizabeth groaned, throwing her arms in the air, and Flora couldn’t help but laugh at the dramatics. She covered her mouth with her hand as her shoulders shook. When she met Lucas’ gaze again, it was noticeably softer.
“I suppose that I can find time to indulge in yer game,” Lucas relented, his willingness surprising Flora. “Just to make sure ye daenae trip over yer own feet.”
“I willnae,” Elizabeth said, raising her nose in the air as she began to walk. “Now, can we play?”
“Aye, we can,” Lucas said, falling into step behind her and casting a look at Flora over his shoulder. “Ye best keep up, or she’ll start gettin’ demandin’.”
“She’s already demandin’,” Flora said fondly, following the two of them. “I daenae think there’s any avoidin’ that.”
They walked further from the castle than Flora had been so far. The grounds were gorgeous and well-manicured on their entire walk. She decided that she’d have to do further exploration when she didn’t have other obligations.
