Lilly walked behind them, her steps slowing.
Marian nodded. “The Laird does not seem to have any friends,” she noted. “It is perhaps why he always seems to be mad.”
Finn’s lips twitched as he suppressed a laugh, and Marian smiled, satisfied.
“The Laird carries many burdens,” he said quietly, a hint of something crossing his features.
“I do not?—”
“Ye should hurry!” Lachlan called from ahead of them, interrupting her without knowing it. He stood at the bend thatled toward the glen, his arms akimbo. “We daenae have the whole day.”
Marian forced a tight smile in his direction and nodded slightly.
“Finn,” she said.
“Please, call me Finn.”
Finn walked ahead to join Lachlan, and Lilly caught up with Marian, her steps careful across the muddy ground that led toward the glen.
“He seems to be a pleasant man,” Marian remarked quietly, glancing at her out of the corner of her eye.
Lilly flushed, her cheeks rounding in a smile. “It seems so, my Lady,” she offered.
Then they both quickened their pace, trying to catch up with the men.
The ground beneath their feet was uneven, shifting with every step. It helped that they were already fairly familiar with the terrain. Marian watched where she placed her feet carefully, lifting her skirts just enough to keep them from dragging through the damp earth. The wind blew harder as they approached the open grazing field, her cloak protecting her well enough from the freezing cold.
Her feet slipped, and she staggered forward, nearly falling face-first into the damp grass. She regained her balance with Lilly’s help, and they struggled together, following Lachlan and Finn through the field.
She slipped again, this time on a wet stone.
“Me Lady!” Finn caught her by the arms, steadying her before she could hit the ground. “Allow me to help ye. Ye two,” he said, glancing between her and Lilly.
“No, Finn,” Marian said loudly enough for Lachlan to hear. “I do not need help, but you can help Lilly. I do not want her to fall.”
Lilly shook her head. “No, my Lady,” she protested, her voice rising slightly. “I cannot leave your side. It is my duty to protect you.”
Marian could not help but smile. She also could not help but notice the smile on Finn’s face as he stared at Lilly and the nervous way he was rubbing his hands together.
If only Lachlan were a bit nicer.
“Go on ahead, Finn,” she urged, and he finally moved, increasing his pace to catch up with Lachlan.
“I should have gotten us better boots,” Lilly groaned as the ground slipped beneath Marian’s leather shoes, her tone apologetic.
“No, Lilly. There’s no way you could have known.”
Marian looked up, catching Lachlan glance her way. But he looked away as soon as she met his gaze, pretending not to notice her struggling as he forged ahead.
Fine. I’ll prove myself without your help.
Her jaw tightened in annoyance, and she hissed, pushing herself with all her might until they finally arrived at the end of the grazing field. Her hair had already escaped its pins, the damp strands flying about in the wind.
She exhaled loudly, holding her knees as she stared at her thoroughly ruined boots.
“Still think ye belong here?” Lachlan drawled, glancing at her sideways.
She lifted her chin, turning to face him despite the wind whipping at her face. “If you expected me to faint dramatically, you will be disappointed.”
