“Where did ye disappear to?” she asked curiously.
“I have somethin’ for ye,” he said. “Close yer eyes and hold out yer hand.”
Surprised, somewhat apprehensively, she did as he asked, and felt a small object gently touch her palm.
“Ye can open yer eyes now.”
She opened them and saw a silver pendant bearing the tiny likeness of a dragonfly in her hand.
“Och, ’tis beautiful!” she exclaimed, overcome by delight as she examined the lovely object. “Look at the detail on the wings! It looks quite real.”
“Ye like it?” he asked, a rare hint of uncertainty in his voice.
“I do not like it,” she said, straight-faced.
“Ach, I kenned it!” His relaxed look faded, and his frown returned.
She took pity on him.
“Nay, I dinnae like it. I absolutelyloveit, Edan. ’Tis perfect. Thank ye.”
In a burst of affection, she rose on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
His smile was like the sun coming out and was tinged with relief. “Ye really love it?”
“Aye, of course. ’Tis beautiful, the best present I’ve ever had. I shall wear it always,” she assured him, deeply moved by the gift. “Would ye put it on for me?”
She handed it to him as she turned around and lifted her hair, smiling beatifically at the other shoppers, some of whom were watching with approving looks.
Edan placed the packages on the ground by his feet and lifted the thin chain over her head. When his fingers brushed the nape of her neck as he fastened it, tingles raced up and down her spine, making her breath hitch.
“It is so very pretty,” she gushed, holding the dragonfly gently as she turned to face him.
“Aye, it suits ye,” he replied a little stiffly.
Without another word, he picked up the packages, offered her his arm once more, and they made their way out of the market.
Olivia could not stop smiling and felt strangely proud to walk at his side, especially when she saw how differently the villagers were looking at their Laird now in comparison to when they had arrived. The fearful glances had vanished and were replaced by respectful nods and smiles as they strolled back down the street.
As they walked along, Olivia thought of asking something she had been putting off, for fear it would anger him. But his gift had emboldened her, so she decided to strike while the iron was hot.
Gathering her courage, she asked, “Edan, would ye have any objection if I invite me sister Eileen to the St. Patrick’s Day feast?”
“Nay, why would I object? Invite yer sister and anybody else ye fancy. Ye dinnae have to ask for me permission—ye can do as yeplease,” he told her easily, giving her a sideways smile that made her heart beat a little faster.
A few moments later, the large package of fabric slipped out from beneath Edan’s arm, and when he bent to retrieve it, Olivia was stunned when something suddenly cannoned into her. She let out a shriek of surprise, as she was almost knocked off her feet. When she righted herself and looked around, she saw a street urchin running pell-mell in the opposite direction, with her coin purse dangling from his fist!
“Are ye all right?” Edan was instantly at her side, his face full of concern.
“Aye, I’m fine, but…” She pointed at the urchin, but the gesture was unnecessary.
Edan was already hot on his heels. With his long legs pumping at a full sprint, it did not take long before he had the ragged lad by the collar and tackled him to the ground. Olivia picked up her skirts and ran after them, half afraid Edan was going to murder the little thief. He was struggling in Edan’s iron grip to no avail.
“I’m sorry, mister. Please dinnae hurt me. I never meant any harm. I was just hungry. Here, take the money back,” the lad was pleading in a thin, reedy voice, his large eyes full of fear in a milky-white face as he stared at Edan. He thrust the coin purse at him, but Edan ignored it along with his desperate pleas.
“Why, ’tis naught but a young lad,” he said to Olivia, dragging the small, ragged child up by the scruff of his neck.
Olivia was shocked to see how thin and ill-dressed for the cold weather the boy was.
