“Matthew,” Lucas said, grabbing hold of his brother’s shoulder, “I’ve been lookin’ everywhere for Flora and Elizabeth, and cannae find either of them.”
“Aye, I suppose ye wouldnae be able to find them,” Matthew observed, his tone infuriatingly casual, “seein’ as they’re nae in the castle.”
Lucas’s jaw tensed as his eyes narrowed. Slowly, he asked, “And where might they be, Matthew?”
“Elizabeth wanted to go to the village today,” he replied, knocking Lucas’s hand from his shoulder. “And Annabeth’s busy, so she asked Flora. Ye ken the guards followin’ Elizabeth would have alerted ye if she were truly missin’. Or perhaps ye’re more concerned about Flora.”
“I think it’s quite normal to be concerned about her after the ordeal she went through before moving in,” Lucas snapped. “And of course, I’m worried about Elizabeth. Even with the guards watchin’ her, she still got too close to the loch two months ago.”
The joviality of Matthew’s grin disappeared at the mention of that oversight. He sighed, saying, “Ye’re right, but the two of them are fine. They’ve a whole caravan of guards with them. Nothin’ has happened to them, and nothin’ will. Ye ken yer men will sooner lay down their lives than let anyone lay a finger on Elizabeth or Flora.”
Lucas grunted, turning to go back to his study. “I ken. But in the future, daenae treat me askin’ after their whereabouts so lightly. Ye ken as well as anyone it’s nae laughin’ matter. Ye’re quite lucky ye’re me braither. Ye get away with far more than I’d allow anyone else to.”
“I ken,” Matthew replied. “But ye worry too much. Trust yer men to take care of them, and trust Flora to ken when somethin’s dangerous. Ye said she’s doin’ well with her knives. They’re nae unprotected.”
“Aye, they’re nae,” Lucas agreed, clenching his fists at his sides. He remembered all the other instances of when his loved ones weren’t fine and what losing them felt like. “But I daenae like havin’ them out of me sight.”
Chapter Nineteen
“That was so much fun!” Elizabeth said, standing and wiping crumbs from the front of her gown. “And it was even better than I remember it.”
Flora hummed thoughtfully, nodding at Ryan when he held the door open for the two of them. “Ye were right about their stew. It was quite delicious.”
“We should come back every month,” Elizabeth declared, flashing a wide grin up at her. “We can bring Maither and Faither and Uncle Lucas. It will be so much fun.”
The suggestion lit something warm in Flora’s chest. Softly, she said, “Aye. I think it would be a good time.”
As they began their walk back to the carriage, Flora heard music and laughter drifting toward her and Elizabeth from a side street. Elizabeth heard it too, glancing up at Flora with a toothygrin. Unable to deny her even this, Flora nodded and let herself be led back into the crowd.
The music and revelry only got louder as they approached the performers. There were three of them playing instruments as one interacted with the crowd, playfully plucking a hat from a man’s head and putting it on his own. Elizabeth let out a squeal of delight, weaving through the people and leaving Flora no choice but to follow.
“A wee lass and her sister!” the man cried, immediately spotting Elizabeth as she took her place at the front. “Come to see a show, have ye? Perhaps ye’d like to be a part of it!”
He extended his hand to Elizabeth, and she immediately passed Flora her half-empty bag of sweets to accept the invitation. Then, she was pulled into the center of the show. Panic flared as Flora watched the girl be led around in a ridiculous dance, and she searched for Ryan in the crowd. He was smiling, watching as Elizabeth giggled during a spin. Then, he locked eyes with Flora, giving her a nod.
If he’s nae worried, I shouldnae be. And Elizabeth is havin’ fun.
“Flora!” Elizabeth said as she put her feet on top of the man’s so she wouldn’t have to keep up with his comical attempt at leading. “Look at me!”
“I see ye!” Flora replied, the men and women around her laughing at Elizabeth’s enthusiasm. “Ye look radiant, Elizabeth!”
By the time the man released Elizabeth and returned the stolen hat, Flora had to admit to herself that she was beginning to enjoy the show. It was unlike anything she’d ever experienced before, and while the noise and crowd made her nervous, she could see herself learning to love this. The sense of community was intoxicating. And when Elizabeth made her way back to Flora, it almost pained her to have to end their trip.
“I ken the sun’s still high in the sky, but it’s startin’ its descent,” Flora said, bracing herself for Elizabeth to argue. She softened her tone as she continued. “It’s best we go back to the castle, aye?”
To her surprise, Elizabeth didn’t put up a fuss; instead stifling a yawn. “Aye. I’m a wee bit tired, but I had a lot of fun.”
“So did I. Especially gettin’ to watch ye with the street performers,” Flora agreed as they made their way toward Ryan. “Ye ken, havin’ fun will tire ye out.”
“Nay as much as bein’ bored,” Elizabeth said with a cheeky smile. “When ye’re bored, ye just getsotired.”
Flora laughed and shook her head, saying, “Ye’re wise beyond yer years, Elizabeth.”
“Ye and Uncle Lucas say the same things a lot,” she replied, waiting for Ryan to open the carriage door and help her up.
“Do we now?” Flora said, not hesitating to accept Ryan’s assistance this time around. “Perhaps we just observe the same things.”
“Perhaps,” Elizabeth agreed, stifling another yawn. “May I sit next to ye?”
