She’d gone too far, been too pointed. Margaret narrowed her eyes, no doubt seeing much more than Nora intended for her to see.
How is it that I blush like a tomato but she never does?Nora thought furiously, willing some of the heat from her face.
“Huh,” was all Margaret said. “I suppose I’ll reserve judgment for when I meet him. Laurie, why daenae ye tell me about yer…” Margaret’s gaze slipped away from Nora’s, and her voice trailed away. “Where’s the little girl gone?”
“She’s just…” Nora turned around, breaking off.
The garden was empty. Laurie had been standing by the gate, but there was no sign of her now. Frowning, Nora moved to the gate and peered out. Outside, people moved around here and there, the crowds thicker than ever. She couldn’t even catch a glimpse of MacCrimmon tartan.
More importantly, there was no sign of Laurie. No sign at all.
“Laurie?” she called, pitching her voice over the chaos. The little girl couldn’t have gone far. As minutes ticked by, however, and no Laurie came scuttling out of the crowd, fear began to close its cold fist around Nora’s heart.
“Laurie? Laurie!Laurie!”
CHAPTER 22
TEN MINUTES EARLIER
Laurie cuppedher palms around her nose and mouth, taking a deep breath of the lavender scent. It was probably her favorite herb. Did people have favorite herbs? Nora almost certainly did. Nora was someone who knew things and had all kinds of interesting opinions. The Keep seemed nicer with Nora there. The healers appeared to straighten their spines a little when she walked by, as if they wanted her to notice and approve.
People talked about Nora, too. Sometimes in hushed tones, almost disapprovingly, and sometimes loudly, with a pleased smile.
“She’s exactly what this place needs,” Laurie had heard someone say once. She wasn’t entirely sure what that meant, but it seemed right.
Nobody was making preparations for the wedding yet, though. That disappointed her, although in all fairness, a year was alifetimeaway. What was the point of having a betrothal last thatlong? Perhaps it was a grown-up thing. Time seemed to work differently for adults than for her.
Like now, for instance, when Nora had told Laurie that she would just have a short conversation with her sister. Well, they’d been talking forages. Sighing, Laurie glanced over her shoulder at Nora again.
She had her arms wrapped around her sister, squeezing so hard that Laurie was surprised that one of them didn’t pop. Surely they would stop chatting now, go inside, have something to eat, sit down, and talk properly to each other.
Laurie wandered toward the garden entrance, sticking her head out into the chaos beyond. The market was bustling, and the keep’s courtyard was packed tight. In an hour or two, things would quiet down. People would leave the market, baskets full and feet sore. Laurie preferred the calmer moments after the rush. Excitement was good, but relaxation was better. Too much chaos made Creighton nervous. He tried to hide it, but Laurie had seen how he tensed up in crowds, eyes darting and fidgeting, unable to settle his gaze.
He worries too much,Laurie thought.Aunt Helena said that Nora will help him feel better about his worryin’. I wonder how?
She stepped out of the garden, stopping just a few feet from the crowd. Some of them looked at her curiously, but when their eyes landed on the MacColl tartan sash her nurse had put on herthat morning, they quickly looked away. Glancing back over her shoulder, she saw that Nora and her sister were still talking.
“Ye look a wee bit bored there, lassie.”
Laurie flinched, jumping back and spinning around wide-eyed to face the man who had spoken to her. Creighton had warned her, over and over, about the dangers of speaking to strange men or people she did not know. She knew the danger and was reminded of it afresh every time they left the keep.
Relief swept through her when she glanced up at him.
“Oh,” Laurie said, feeling a little silly. “It’s ye.”
The man smiled, adjusting the tartan cloak around his shoulders. “Aye, lass, it’s me. What are ye doin’ here all by yerself?”
“Nora is in the garden. She’s talking to her sister. She found her, by the way. Crey will be pleased.”
He leaned forward, peering thoughtfully into the garden. For a moment, he was quiet, just staring at Nora. She still had her back turned. Nora and her sister seemed entirely focused on each other, talking in low, urgent voices. A stab of jealousy bloomed in Laurie’s stomach. What would it be like to have a sibling so close to her own age? Asister?
“Ah, they look happy enough. They’ll lose track of time, I daresay,” he said, chuckling. Glancing down at Laurie, he lifted his eyebrows. “I bet ye wish ye had a sister of that age. Tremendous fun, it must be.”
“I have a brother,” Laurie answered.
He chuckled again, as if she’d made a joke. “Aye, Creighton loves ye. But he’s so much older than ye, eh? He might as well be yer da.”
“He isn’t me da.”
