“Thank ye, Da!” she gushed, then hugged him before running off.
Violet watched the girl go and wondered briefly if Keira had been trying to play matchmaker. She couldn’t put it past the little troublemaker to do something of the sort. Perhaps Grannie Ava had connived with her to do so. She wouldn’t put it past the two of them.
She giggled softly at the thought.
Then she looked up to find Ruaridh watching her with a frown, and she wondered if perhaps he thought she was laughing at him. Clearing her throat, she bit back a smile and folded her arms.
“Shall we leave now?” she asked. “I wish to return before the evening meal.”
He grunted and turned to leave, not waiting for her.
Glaring at the back of his head, she began walking hurriedly to catch up with him and soon fell into step with him, even though it was difficult because his strides were much longer than hers.
“Is this your way of escorting me, my Laird?” she asked with a huff, stopping.
He stopped and turned to her. “May I ask what ye mean?” he asked calmly.
She sighed. “You’re literally miles ahead of me, and considering it’s my first time going to the village, shouldn’t you be giving me a tour?”
His frown betrayed his consideration of her suggestion.
“I shall try to walk slower for ye,” he allowed.
“And the tour?” she asked.
“There is naught but dirt around,” he answered. “When we get to the village, I will give ye a tour.”
She itched to laugh at his attempt at humor, but she didn’t think he would appreciate it very much. So she nodded and moved to his side.
“Shall we?” she asked with a smile, motioning to the road ahead of them.
He sighed as though he had been resigned to the executioner’s block and started walking.
True to his word, he kept his steps slower for her, and when they arrived at the village, he began the tour. He was nothing short of honorable.
While he spoke, she noted the hint of pride in his voice as he told her the history of some of the older buildings and the newer ones he had had built as the population grew.
The village was beautiful, with well-kept houses and shops in a pattern that was easy to discern. The square was busy with wagons moving to and fro, laden with eggs and milk and cheese and hay.
Violet itched to experience it all on her own. To roam the streets and stalls and the bustle of the busy streets. There was so muchto see, but she didn’t wander off for his sake. He would no doubt hunt her down and give her a stern scolding.
It was clear he was well-liked by his people, as every few steps they took, someone came to greet him. If anyone wondered at her walking with him, they didn’t ask, only greeted her politely as well.
“And what are ye in the market for today, me Laird?” one asked.
“I am taking the lass to Mrs. Fraser,” he answered. “We want to get some bolts of fabric.”
“Oh?” another murmured. “Would ye like some jewelry as well, miss? I’ve just gotten some lovely pieces.”
“I will be sure to stop by later,” Violet assured the woman, who beamed at her.
“Mrs. McGhee imports jewelry from all over the world, and her husband is a skilled silver worker,” Ruaridh explained.
Violet nodded.
He led her to the haberdasher, where she purchased some fabrics in shades of blue, yellow, and a lovely green she couldn’t refuse. He was surprisingly helpful in helping her decide what colors she should choose. She then got threads and ribbons matching the fabrics. Their next stop was to the florist, and then came the wine and fruits.
Each stop was more fun than the last, and each shop owner had stories to tell about how the Laird had helped them in one way or another.
