“Ye’re right,” Flora agreed, a little pit in her stomach opening up.
Elizabeth smiled up at her, warm and honest. “And I’m glad that ye were able to play with me. I had so much fun. And ye were a good maither.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Flora replied, stopping in the foyer just outside the great hall. “Now, ye should go get yerself cleaned up before our next meal.”
As the girl ran off, Flora walked over to a bench tucked away in an alcove, sinking down onto it with a heavy sigh. Her mind lingered on the comment that Elizabeth had made about Lucas avoiding her. While Flora was sure that he wasn’t avoiding his niece, she was sure that Lucas had been steering clear of her.
Even though he kissed me, he pulled away afterwards and wouldnae talk to me for days…
She pressed the heels of her palms against her eyes, groaning softly. Her head spun with the confusion of the day. Fear and something that felt like want and something else that felt like rejection sank into her veins. It felt as if her life had only become more complicated since she’d been rescued.
“Flora?” Annabeth urged, her voice getting closer as her footsteps echoed off of the tall ceiling. “Are ye feelin’ well? Ye look troubled or ill.”
“I’m fine,” Flora said, dropping her hands and giving her friend the best approximation of a smile she could muster. “Perhaps I’m a wee bit tired.”
“That’s understandable,” Annabeth replied as she offered her hand. “Perhaps ye should rest for a bit before our meal. The cooks will be makin’ somethin’ elaborate. Matthew told me that we’ve got another laird and some of his men stayin’ with us for a bit.”
Flora froze, her hand halfway to Annabeth’s. Surely there wouldn’t be another laird here if there weren’t a problem. Or perhaps she was being sent away. Maybe Lucas had finally realized how broken she truly was and was sending her to someone who would be better suited to taking care of someone like her.
“Ye daenae need to worry,” Annabeth said, her voice steady as she helped Flora to her feet. “Occasionally other lairds will come to visit to update Lucas on what’s happenin’.”
“Of course,” Flora said, relaxing just a bit. The weight in her stomach didn’t lessen, though. “I’m overreactin’.”
“Nay one blames ye,” Annabeth assured her as she released Flora’s hand. “But ye’re safe. Everyone at the castle is safe. Darragh is here for a short meetin’, and we get to benefit from it. The staff here loves entertainin’.”
“Then I suppose I should go to me chambers for a bit,” Flora said with a soft smile. “I hope the guests arenae too excitable.”
“I cannae make any promises,” Annabeth laughed. Then, when Flora was a few steps away, she added, “Ye ken ye can speak withme about anythin’ at all. Ye’re me friend, Flora. I’ll help ye in any way I can.”
“Thank ye,” Flora muttered, unable to turn to look at the other woman, the back of her throat burning with emotion. “That means more to me than I can say.”
“Then daenae worry about tellin’ me with words,” she said easily. “All ye need to do is focus on takin’ care of yerself. That’s more than enough of a thanks for me.”
Flora wasn’t able to come up with a proper response, so instead, she nodded, hoping that Annabeth could see her. Having a friend here was even more unexpected than being allowed to stay. As she finally started on her way back to her quarters, she decided that she’d do as Annabeth instructed. She’d take care of herself, however she had to.
Though it would be so much easier if Lucas hadnae looked at me that way or put his lips against mine…
Chapter Fourteen
When Lucas awoke, Flora was the first thing on his mind. It wasn’t the uncertainty of the hunt site’s occupants or the Laird and his men that he was hosting. Instead, it was silky black hair and eyes darker than the midnight sky.
As he climbed out of bed, he tried to shake the thoughts. Objectively, there were many more pressing matters to be concerned about, yet he couldn’t get her out of his head. The feeling of her breasts in his hand and against his chest, the way her lips had been so soft and pliant, and the gentleness with which she handed off the blasted doll the day before seemed to haunt him like an insistent specter.
“Ye’ve got that murderous look again,” Matthew said as soon as Lucas left his chambers. “Are ye sure that there’s nothin’ we should be concerned about? I can gather the men and send them toward somethin’ that needs killin’.”
“Are ye makin’ a habit of seekin’ me out just to antagonize me?” Lucas snapped, walking past him to get to the great hall.
“Nay, but even if I were, is that nae me job as yer braither? I cannae let ye get too comfortable.” Matthew fell into step next to him, seemingly pleased with himself for the annoyance he caused. “Though ye cannae expect me nae to question yer thoughts when ye look like that. It’s like ye’re nae sure if ye should launch a war or throw the entire castle in the dungeons.”
“Are ye tryin’ to get yerself more trainin’?” Lucas countered. “It seems as though ye’ve nay learned yer lesson.”
“Perhaps I’d learn me lesson if ye were more forthcomin’ about what I’m doin’ that’s drivin’ ye so mad.” He knocked into Lucas’s shoulder, earning himself a shove that would have sent a normal man to the floor. “I may need more guidance.”
“Ye’re gettin’ on me damn nerves,” Lucas said, not bothering to hide his exasperation. “I cannae think of anythin’ in peace without ye comin’ along and buzzin’ about, tryin’ to pry into me head.”
“That brings me back to me initial argument,” Matthew replied, taking on that annoying tone he used when they were children. “I’m yer braither; it’s me job to figure out what’s goin’ on in that head of yers.”
Lucas grunted, rounding a corner and picking up his pace in an attempt to shake Matthew off. His brother wouldn’t be deterred, though. He simply quickened his steps, keeping up with Lucas.
