When he began chattering again, Lucas tuned him out. No matter what he said or did, Matthew wouldn’t let up. The only thing worse than this incessant questioning would be revealing that he’d been caught in his thoughts about?—
Flora turned to look at them, a small smile on her face. It seemed that she was amused by his brother’s antics. When her gaze landed on Lucas, the smile faltered slightly.
“Ye should go ahead to the great hall,” Lucas suggested, interrupting Matthew’s sentence, his eyes never leaving Flora. “I’ll join ye in just a moment, but ye’ve given me a headache.”
Matthew’s gaze followed Lucas’s own. A knowing grin spread across his features, and he leaned into his brother as he said, “Ach, I get it now. But ye should fix yer face. Ye’ll scare her away.”
“If ye daenae get to the great hall this instant, I will throw ye in the dungeon and explain to yer wife just how insufferable ye’ve been,” Lucas growled. “And I am quite sure that she willnae blame me for me actions.”
“Fine, fine,” Matthew said, raising his hands and putting distance between the two of them. “But I’m serious. Ye have to stop glarin’. It’ll win ye nay favor with anyone.”
“Matthew,” Lucas said, his tone making it clear that this was his brother’s final warning.
It seemed that Matthew had at least a bit of a self-preservation instinct. He turned around, walking away much more casually than Lucas thought was appropriate. When he stopped next to Flora, Lucas’ shoulders tightened.
Whatever Matthew said made the woman laugh, her body relaxing incrementally. Still, it didn’t erase the annoyance that his brother had sown, and he could only guess what Matthew had said to her.
“Daenae let him bother ye,” Lucas said, walking toward Flora but stopping short, giving her the space that she very well may need. “He’s in a bit of a… difficult mood this mornin’.”
“He’s nae botherin’ me,” Flora assured, folding her hands in front of her waist. “He was simply tellin’ me which foods I should avoid. He said Darragh has an interestin’ palette.”
“Aye, the man does,” Lucas said. Then, he cleared his throat lightly. “I told ye that I’d teach ye to ride when we went into town. I’ve got a bit of time this afternoon. Perhaps we can have our first lesson.”
She stared up at him, blinking twice, her long lashes brushing against her cheeks. Softly, she said, “I daenae ken. Surely ye can find a better use of yer time.”
“There’s nay better use of me time,” Lucas insisted, furrowing his brow. “And learnin’ to ride would be a valuable skill for ye. Ye wouldnae rely on me or others if ye needed to get somewhere. Ye never ken when ye’ll need to use the skill.”
“Ach, but someone else could be capable of teachin’ me, surely,” she countered, though it sounded as if it pained her to protest. “Darragh is here. Annabeth told me that ye keep one another updated on what’s happenin’ in yer lands. Shouldnae ye be entertainin’ him?”
Lucas took half a step forward, restraining himself from crowding her. It was a bit infuriating how hard she was fighting this. And it was difficult for him to discern if she was truly worried about his position or if she just wanted to be left alone.
“Darragh and I had our discussion yesterday afternoon,” Lucas explained as patiently as he could, though every fiber of his being wanted to reach forward and shake her. “I’m offerin’ to teach ye because I have the time. I’m nae shirkin’ any of me responsibilities, and I’m nae doin’ this out of pity.”
“If ye have extra time, ye should spend it with Elizabeth,” Flora suggested, leveling him with a look that said she knew this was an argument he couldn’t refute. “She was quite upset ye cut playtime short yesterday. Use yer free time indulgin’ in whatever game she desires. It’s far more rewardin’ than teachin’ me to ride.”
Lucas ground his teeth together, taking in the almost smug look on Flora’s face. She was still shrinking away from him, looking as though she was frightened that he’d snap at her for her arguments, but she still took pride in winning. Finally, he let out a long sigh and scrubbed his fingers through the wiry hair at his jaw.
“Ach, I suppose ye’re right,” he said, though it pained him to admit it. “Elizabeth would appreciate havin’ me undivided attention for a while.”
“She would,” Flora confirmed, turning around to head into the great hall.
“Daenae think I’m nay goin’ to teach ye how to ride another time,” Lucas said before she could disappear through the doors. “Me grooms may be skilled, but they’re nay as adept at ridin’ as I am. I willnae have ye gettin’ subpar instruction.”
“Perhaps that says more about yer decision makin’ than it does about them,” she retorted. Then, as if realizing that she’d indirectly insulted him, she turned, starting to rush toward the doors.
He reached out, grabbing hold of her wrist to stop her, equal parts impressed and infuriated. While she hadn’t exactly been warm with him during her time in the castle, she’d never been so difficult. As much as he disliked being undermined, there was a bit of pride there.
“Tell me more about what ye think about me decision makin’,” he growled when she looked at him over her shoulder.
“Well,” she said, her voice a bit quieter yet no less sound in its conviction, “if yer grooms are incapable of teachin’ someone to ride, daenae ye think that it reflects on yer judgment. I’m nae sayin’ they should be better riders than ye, but ye should be confident in their ability to instruct. Nay?”
He stared at her for a moment, his grip still firm on her wrist. Then, with a scoff and a shake of his head, he let her go, saying, “Perhaps ye have a point. But I daenae think them incapable. I simply believe ye deserve the highest quality instruction.”
“Then perhaps ye can teach me another time,” she suggested reluctantly, letting her arm fall to her side slowly. “But I remain firm in me answer for today. If ye have time to yerself, ye should be spendin’ it with Elizabeth, nae with me.”
With that, Flora continued her flight into the great hall, not giving Lucas a chance to continue the conversation. He watched her go incredulously. Then, he laughed under his breath, shaking his head at the confidence she’d just shown.
If she’s comfortable enough to speak her mind with me, it means that I’ve been doin’ a damn good job at helpin’ her adjust to livin’ here.
