Scarlett hesitated. “Cold. He was tender one night, and the next morning it was as if I were nay more than a duty he’d fulfilled. Like none of it mattered.”
Katie frowned thoughtfully. “Men like him, they live half their lives in armor. Takes time for the iron to bend.”
Scarlett gave a short, humorless laugh. “If that’s true, I’ll be long in the grave before it happens.”
“Oh, ye daenae ken that.” Katie picked up her herbs again. “Ye think I cannae see it, but I do. The way he looks at ye when he thinks nay one’s watching. There’s something soft there, even if he’s trying to beat it down.”
Scarlett’s brows knit. “He looks at me?”
“Like a man who’s already halfway lost,” Katie said simply.
Scarlett’s stomach flipped though she hid it with a sigh. “Ye’re impossible, truly. Ye read love stories into every sideways glance.”
“And ye refuse to see when one’s staring ye in the face.”
Scarlett pressed a hand to her temple, half exasperated. “It’s nae like that. I’m his wife in name, Katie, and a little more. He’s been… respectful. Overly so, even. I think he’s more afraid of touching me than I am of him.”
Katie chuckled. “Och, that’ll change soon enough. Nay man stares like that and stays still for long.”
Scarlett shot her a look. “Are ye done?”
“Nay. I’ve more yet.” Katie leaned closer again, mischief glinting bright. “So, tell me, when he gave ye that necklace, did he fasten it himself?”
Scarlett froze, color blooming high in her cheeks. “Aye,” she admitted quietly.
“And did he take his time?” “Katie.”
“Answer me.”
Scarlett huffed though her voice had softened. “He did. But only because the clasp was… difficult.”
Katie grinned triumphantly. “Aye, difficult. That’s what we’re calling it now.”
Scarlett laughed, shaking her head. “Ye’re really something.”
“Maybe. But ye’re smiling now, and that tells me all I need to ken.”
Scarlett’s laughter faded, replaced by something quieter, a sigh, almost wistful. “He confuses me, Katie. One moment, he’s kindand warm, and the next, he’s colder than the stones underfoot. I cannae tell which man is truly him.”
Katie’s voice gentled. “Maybe both are. Maybe he’s still figuring it out, same as ye.”
Scarlett glanced away, her fingers brushing the pendant again. “I daenae want to hope for something that’s nae there.”
“Then stop hoping,” Katie said with a shrug. “Just see what comes.
Ye’ll drive yerself mad trying to name what’s still growing.” Scarlett smiled faintly. “When did ye grow so wise?”
Katie laughed. “Somewhere between mixing poultices and patching stubborn people like yer husband. Comes with the work.”
Scarlett tilted her head, amused. “And what’s yer take, then, healer?” Katie’s grin returned, bright and unyielding. “That the Laird’s smitten, and the Lady’s halfway to it herself. Ye can deny it all ye like, but I’ll wager me best gown ye’ll be kissing him again before the week’s done.”
Scarlett made a sound somewhere between a scoff and a laugh. “Ye’ve nay faith in me restraint, then?”
“None,” Katie said cheerfully. “Ye’ve that look, the one that says ye’re thinking about him even as we speak.”
Scarlett’s mouth opened then closed again. “I am nae.”
Katie’s brows rose. “Yer hand’s been on that necklace the whole time, lass.”
