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Astrid knew this was her cue to leave as well, even though she was certainly not looking forward to being alone again. Although now that she was out of her chamber, she could probably go out for a walk with Bannock. She did not know where Bannock even was, which meant she would need to look for her in the castle.
She stood up from her chair when Laila suddenly called out to her, stopping her mid-air. “Astrid, me lass, are ye going somewhere?”
“I was thinking of going out for a walk in the gardens,” Astrid replied, hoping that no one would object to the idea. She truly needed fresh air.
“Why don’t ye have a glass of whiskey with me and Flynn first? We can sit in the front parlor in front of the fireplace. I do need some warmth in my old bones,” Laila said, wrapping her shawl a little tighter around her arms.
Astrid wondered if she had the choice of saying no but decided against it anyway. She could not afford to offend Laila or appear ungrateful for the invitation. Besides, she was seeking company herself.
“I would love to.”
Laila stood up with a pleased smile on her face and walked towards Flynn, who stood right beside Astrid. “Lead the way, me dear,” she said.
Astrid watched as Flynn offered his arm to her, and she softly put her hand in the crook of his elbow while Laila walked beside them. As they headed towards the parlor, Astrid wondered if it was wise for her to get this close to the MacKie family.
After all, they were on borrowed time.
CHAPTER6
The parlor was litup with the faint orange light of the flames burning high in the fireplace. This room was much hotter than the dining room.
She will feel much better here.
Flynn had noticed that Astrid had shivered lightly in the dining room. Despite his sour mood and the fact that he did not want her here, he did not want Astrid to be uncomfortable. He scowled even more at his mind for caring about her well-being.
When he went to get her in her bedchamber, he had been momentarily distracted by the chaos that spread around the entire place, but he could certainly not forget the faint scent of lilies, which only grew stronger as she walked closer to him. It took him back directly to one year ago when he still had her in his arms and could afford to stay intoxicated by her and her scent.
He walked both his grandmother and Astrid towards the armchairs while he himself remained standing. “Ye two should sit. I will get the whisky.”
“Oh, Flynn!” his grandmother cried out as if in pain, and he turned to look at her. She was rubbing her hand all over her arms and neck as if something was bothering her while Astrid moved closer to her and began to check if she was all right.
“What’s wrong, Grandmother?” Flynn asked, walking quickly towards Laila.
“I suddenly feel very hot as if something is burning in my chest,” she said, her voice beginning to get whispery.
“Is it something ye ate?” he questioned worriedly.
“I dinnae think so. I think I just ate too much, and my body is demanding rest. I must lay down,” Laila said, her words taking on a desperate tone that sounded almost dramatic and unreal.
Flynn looked into her eyes for a few seconds, trying to detect the emotion lurking in them. Just as he had expected, it was evident that she had nothing burning up in her chest and she felt just fine. He understood his grandmother enough to know what was wrong with her, and he knew that right now, she was simply acting.
He could not truly grasp why she would do such a thing, but as he turned to look at Astrid’s worried expression, he suddenly realized his grandmother’s scheme. She had simply designed the entire plan to force him and Astrid to be together in a private setting, and she was going to be successful at it.
“I will come with ye. Let me take ye to yer bedchamber,” Astrid offered, sitting on her knees in front of Laila and taking both her hands in hers.
“Oh, no, dear. There is nay need for that. I am a strong woman, and I can walk on my own. Ye stay here and have a glass of whiskey with Flynn for my sake. I dinnae wish to leave him all alone, but I need nae be worried now that yer here,” Laila said, landing her arrow right at the target.
“But I dinnae wish to leave ye alone right now. Yer clearly unwell, Laila,” Astrid insisted.
“Ye absolutely must listen to me, me dear lass. I will be just fine,” Laila said while Flynn silently watched her complete her entire act. “Flynn will keep ye company while I go rest.”
“Are ye sure, Grandmother?” Flynn questioned as she stood up, making sure to look her straight in the eye and convey with his expression that he knew what she was up to.
His grandmother, being the smart woman that she was, smirked up at him but otherwise ignored him entirely and continued her act of playing the sick, old woman.
“I am, Flynn. Ye stay here with Astrid.” With that, Laila turned around and walked slowly out of the parlor while Astrid and Flynn stared at her disappearing form.
Flynn knew Astrid was still worrying while he was simply just applauding his grandmother’s scheming mind.
