Before Andrew could answer, Laurie dropped her spoon with a pointed clang.
“I have finished,” she announced, daring anybody to argue. “And I would like me shortbread now.”
“The nurse will bring them when ye get upstairs,” Creighton laughed. “Did ye hear our plan? We will be goin’ to the market soon. What do ye think of that?”
Laurie considered, staring down at her broth.
“I would like Nora and me to get matchin’ fabric, so we can wear the same dress,” she announced.
Nora chuckled, leaning forward to pat Laurie’s hand. To do that, she had to press herself against Creighton, her shoulder against his, her arm inching into his space. He could feel her warmth, smell the herbs almost as strongly as if she’d plaited them in her hair. His heartbeat increased, battering against his chest, and arousal tugged at his gut.
Careful,he warned himself.Steady now.
“I think that is an excellent idea,” Nora assured her. “What do ye all think?”
There was a chorus of laughter and agreement. Creighton did not join in. Nora pulled back, away from him. She did not even look at him, but he did. He looked and looked as though he could not ever stop looking.
CHAPTER 13
Thoughts clusteredin Nora’s head, queuing up behind her eyes.
Could Margaret really be so close? Might I be about to find her at this market?
There were other questions connected to this hope. If she was working on a market stall, why had she not tried to leave and come home to Nora? Why hadn’t she sent back a note? Was she compelled to remain? What was goingon?
There were no answers, of course, and there weren’t going to be any answers until she found Margaret and questioned her.
Reaching the bottom of the hall, Nora paused before Laurie’s door, tapping gently.
“Come in,” came Laurie’s quiet little voice. Nora inched open the door and peered inside.
“I came to say goodnight,” Nora murmured. “Where is yer nurse?”
Laurie lay in her bed under a mountain of blankets, so that only her eyes and nose peeped out.
“She’s gone to the privy,” she explained. “She has a bad stomach. It must have been somethin’ she ate at supper, she said.”
“Has she nae got a chamber pot in her room?”
Laurie grimaced. “She said that it wasnae a chamber pot business.”
“Ah. Poor woman. I’ll see if she wants a draught to settle her stomach tomorrow. I only came to say goodnight to ye, lassie.”
Nora stepped inside, pushing the door closed behind her. Laurie struggled to sit up in bed, smothering a yawn.
“I cannae go to sleep yet. Creighton is comin’ to say goodnight. At least, he didnaesaythat he was comin’ to say goodnight, but I’m sure that he will.”
“I’m sure that he will, too,” Nora agreed, perched on the edge of the little girl’s bed. “But ye mustnae stay awake for him. Ye might want to sleep, and it’s very important that ye sleep well. For yer whole life, actually, but for now sleep is what will make ye feel better.”
Laurie bit her lower lip. “I daenae like all the broth.”
“I ken, lass, but the broth is good for ye. It’ll make ye strong, and it’s light on yer stomach, ye understand? And ye have yer shortbread to take away the taste of the medicine.”
Laurie pulled a face. “Well, I havenaehadme shortbread. Nurse fell sick before she could bring it to me, and I was forbidden to get out of bed.”
“Oh, poor lamb,” Nora clucked, reaching out to touch the little girl’s forehead. It was warm, but not hot, and not clammy. She would be fine, although perhaps a few fewer blankets would not do her any harm. “I’ll go down and fetch yer shortbread now. Have the cooks prepared some for ye?”
“I’m sure they must,” Laurie answered, visibly excited. “I’ll sleep just fine if I can have some shortbread.”
