She broke off the thought, not able to even make herself say in her head what it was that she had dreamed about.
In the back of her mind, Creighton’s voice echoed in response to Dallas’ heartless comment.
‘Nay, but that does nae mean ye can speak of her so rashly.’
He admitted it, then. Aloud. That he was never going to marry Nora, that it was out of the question.
How could I have been so foolish?
Closing her eyes, Nora leaned back against the seat. If luck was on her side, she would be able to sleep on the way back to the keep. If not, she would just have to keep her eyes closed and wait.
Messengers had been sent ahead, and the keep was ready. Some of the councilors, including Marcus, waited ashen-faced at the door.
The rumbling of the carriage wheels across cobblestones jerked Laurie awake. She sat up, rubbing her eyes.
“Are we home yet?” she mumbled.
“Aye, we are,” Nora promised, reaching forward to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Straight to bed for ye, I think.”
Lights glowed in the courtyard. Braziers flared, lanterns swung from upraised fists.
“Is nobody in bed?” Nora mumbled, swinging open the door and climbing down. She’d lost track of time, but the moon shone brightly in the sky, drifting in and out of clouds. With all the light in the courtyard, buttery-yellow flames cast an orange glow, and Nora’s night vision was useless. She blinked owlishly around as people moved past her, talking and murmuring. No one seemedto really notice Nora; they were all focused on Laurie, who blinked sleepily at everyone. With her nurse’s arm around her, Laurie was hurried off into the castle itself. Nora went to follow, but a large, warm hand settled on her shoulder.
“Let her be,” came Creighton’s deep voice in her ear. “Her nurse will give her a bath and put her straight to bed. She’d had a difficult day, and I imagine this will be somethin’ which haunts her for a while.”
Nora shivered. “Nay bairn of her age should behauntedby anythin’.”
Margaret appeared wordlessly at her side. Creighton glanced at her, eyebrows flickering.
“This must be yer sister, then.”
“Me name is Margaret,” she introduced herself boldly, lifting up her chin and looking him dead in the eyes. “I understand that ye plan to marry me sister. I hope ye ken that ye will have to askmeblessin’ for that.”
Creighton gave a snort of laughter, his eyes crinkling up at the corners. “What a firebrand! It’s clear that she is yer sister, Nora. There’s nay doubt about that.”
Before they could speak further, Theo and Andrew came hustling over.
“Me father wishes to speak to ye, me Laird,” Theo said, wincing. “Is it true? Is Dallas dead?”
“Was he really the one who tried to poison Laurie?” Andrew chipped in, clutching at his cross. “I cannae believe it of him. Who would want to hurt that wee lass?”
Creighton held up his hands. “Enough, lads. Today has been…” he faltered, tightening his jaw. “Today has been quite a day. For now, we have a guest. This is Margaret, Lady Nora’s sister.”
Theo and Andrew’s gazes swiveled toward Margaret, who bore their stares without a blink.
“Oh,” Andrew spoke first. “It is ye. How did ye find her, Lady Nora?”
“Ye ken me?” Margaret interrupted, before Nora could speak. She took a step forward, frowning, and Andrew paled. “We havenae met.”
“We did. Briefly, at yer stall. Ye were sellin’ fabrics, and I asked ye somethin’ about buttons…” he trailed off, shaking his head. “It doesnae matter. I did nae think ye would remember me.”
“But ye remember me?” Margaret responded, quirking her eyebrow. “Interestin’.”
Andrew reddened almost as intensely as he’d paled.
“Let’s find a place for Margaret to stay,” Creighton interrupted. “Theo, tell Marcus that I will meet him and the others in the council rooms shortly. Andrew, take charge of Margaret. Nora, come with me. We need to talk.”
And just like that, the orders were given. Theo trotted off obediently, and Andrew and Margaret trailed off together. That left Nora and Creighton alone, in the middle of the busy courtyard.
