Page 78 of The Laird’s Lost Wife

Sniffing, Skye turned away. “Well then, keep yer secret. I can see that ye are determined to keep it from me. Ye will tell me when ye are ready, I suppose. And ye can also explain why that wee lassie… What was her name? Willow, that was it. Ye can explain why she looks so much like ye.”

Hunter flinched. “Marriage and time away havenae blunted yer wit, Sister.”

She looped her arm through his and squeezed it with a grin. “I saved up all of it for ye, Brother.”

With a last grin, she skipped off through the hall to catch up with her husband.

Hunter watched her go, defeated.

I should have ken she would ferret it out as soon as she set foot in the keep. At least I ken that she will keep it a secret.

Helena tapped on the door, letting herself in before the knock had even faded. She knew that Edith was awake.

Sure enough, Edith sat in a chair by the fire, a warm brick by her feet, shawls and blankets tucked around her.

“Daphne insisted on seeing me settled before she went to bed herself,” Edith sighed. “I tell her over and over not to fuss over me. Elspeth takes good care of me, but no, Daphne wouldn’t rest until she’d seen the fire banked up and a hot brick brought to my feet to keep me warm.”

Helena puffed out a breath, dropping down on the chair opposite. Her feet ached, and her eyes were gritty and heavy. She was desperate to go to sleep, but there was business that needed sorting before that.

“Our wee plot to lock them in the library together didnae work,” she sighed. “And Hunter had some choice words for me. We’ll have to be careful next time.”

“I thought it was too abrupt to work.” Edith nodded. “Locking them in together is hardly proper. In England, a woman and man being in a room together alone would be ruined entirely. Well,” she corrected, “the lady would be ruined. Gentlemen have more robust reputations, I find.”

Helena grunted. “Well, they have a child together, so it’s a bit late for that. I’m nae giving up, though.”

“Nor am I,” Edith said. “Before I leave this world, I want to see Daphne well settled and happy, and Willow with a good father figure in her life. A fine lord—sorry, laird—like your son would be an excellent match.”

Helena chuckled. “Ye are very English about all this. But I agree with ye; we shouldnae give up. I have one last thing to try. I’ll be damned if I let two youngsters outwit two old foxes like us, eh, Edith?”

Edith cocked her head. “I’m ready to help, if I can. I’m not sure I fancy locking anyone else in a room, though.”

“Nay, it’ll be more subtle than that.” Helena leaned forward, catching her friend’s eye. “Listen up. Here is me plan.”

CHAPTER 18

“Mama? Mama. Are ye awake?”

Daphne groaned, pushing her face deeper into the pillow. “It’s too early, lassie. Settle down, eh? Let’s sleep a bit longer.”

“The sun is up. River wants to go running,” Willow insisted, sounding petulant. “Mama.”

Daphne cracked open one eye. She’d gone to sleep immediately after the little supper was over. For some reason, she found herself exhausted after meeting Hunter’s sister and brother-in-law. They’d been very polite, but she caught Lady Skye’s eyes lingering on her, thoughtful and knowing. The sort of woman who couldn’t be easily fooled. She’d looked at Willow too, glancing at her and then at Hunter, her eyes narrowed.

Usually, back in England, Daphne would get up at dawn. That gave her time to dress, get Willow ready for the day, and break her fast. But here, she could sleep for as long as she liked. Until now, she’d woken up at dawn, as usual, but this was the first time she’d been able to sleep.

“Why daenae ye go and play by yerself, then?” she mumbled, turning onto her side, back toward the window.

Judging by the light streaming in, she guessed it was about eight o’clock in the morning. So, she’d already slept at least two hours past her usual rising time. Two and a half hours, more likely.

Willow let out a long-suffering sigh. “All right, Mama.” She leaned forward, pressing a clumsy kiss to Daphne’s temple.

Smiling, Daphne reached up, sleepily patting her cheek. “Ye be careful, aye? Daenae stray out of the keep, and daenae go into the servants’ quarters. I ken ye used to go into the kitchen back at home, but this is a bigger place, and the cooks daenae ken ye. A kitchen can be dangerous, with boiling water and sharp knives, so steer clear, aye?”

“Aye, Mama.” Willow began to scramble off the bed, then paused, turning back. “Mama?”

“Hm?”

“Is this our home now?”