Lily took a steadying breath. “Oh, just fine. I was only gathering some roots.”
Daisy glanced over her shoulder, her eyes flicking to the training yard before returning quickly. “Do any of the roots ye need grow over there? I can fetch them for ye, if ye wish.”
Lily’s cheeks warmed. “Nay, Daisy. It is fine. I have what I need.”
“Very well,” Daisy said, her smile returning. She lifted the letter slightly. “But look. A letter at last, me Lady. It came from yer sisters.”
Lily’s breath caught in excitement. “Really?”
“Aye, me Lady,” Daisy responded.
Lily set down the basket and took the letter from her without thinking about it, exhaling with relief and anticipation as she felt the paper in her hand.
At last.
The letter quivered in her hands as she broke the seal. Her breath caught before her eyes even landed on the page. The parchment smelled faintly of lavender and pinecone, the same scent Brigid always carried.
“It is from Brigid,” she whispered.
Daisy leaned closer, curiosity plain on her face. “Is she one of yer sisters?”
“Aye.” Lily’s heart thudded. “The youngest. She writes that she and Conall will come. They are coming here, Daisy. They will be at Castle MacRay for the cèilidh. I will see them in only a few days.”
Daisy’s face broke into a smile. “That is wonderful news.”
Lily did not wait for her to say more. Her eyes skimmed down the lines, and her fingers curled into the parchment.
“Oh!” she gasped, her heart swelling. “Valerie cannae come. She is with child, and Megan will stay behind to care for her.”
“Are those yer sisters as well?”
Her lips curled into a small smile, and her voice softened. “Aye. They are. So only Brigid will be here. Still, that is enough. It has been too long since I looked upon her face.”
“At least one sister is coming,” Daisy said.
“Aye.” Lily swallowed down the ache and lifted her chin. “I hadnae realized how much I had missed Brigid. She and I… we are very much alike.” She folded the letter carefully against her chest. “Daisy, please prepare the guest chambers for them. Everything must be in order.”
“Shall I tell the other servants?” Daisy asked.
“Aye, thank ye.” Lily replied. “Now I will have something else to distract me. Something better.”
Daisy tilted her head. “Distract ye from what?”
“Never mind.” Lily waved a hand. “I must go to the market. I need to fetch herbs and the fish Brigid loves.”
“Could the maids nae do that?” Daisy asked gently.
Lily shook her head. “Nay. Ye keep forgetting, Daisy. I wasnae always a lady. I ken the market better than most. And I alone ken which fish Brigid craves. I willnae trust another with that task.”
Daisy chuckled. “‘Tis only fish, me Lady. I just thought it would be too much for ye to go just because of that.”
Lily smiled and remembered the spray of salt water, the rocking of the ship, the endless hunger of those days. “For a week at sea, we had nothing but fish. Brigid grew to love it. Even when she had other food before her, she chose fish. A strange love, but hers, and I wouldnae let her come here and find it missing.”
“Then we must make sure it is ready,” Daisy said warmly.
A voice, deeper and sharper, cut across the space behind them. “Make sure what is ready?”
Lily spun on her heel. Alasdair stood behind, his chest bare, his skin slick with sweat. The sun streaming through the arch caught the lines of muscle and the sheen on his arms. Her hand curled into a fist at her side. She dared not let it betray her thoughts.
