Emma frowned. “Why?”
“It reflects yellow on your skin if you like the lads.”
“And what if there is no reflection?” she asked, charmed.
A frown tied the girl’s brow. “I am not sure, but I will ask my da. He is the one who told me about the flower.”
Her father? Never had she believed a man would hold thoughts of such whimsy. Neither had she met such a caring family. Was this what a true marriage wrought?
“Do it,” Joneta urged.
Her throat tight, Emma held up the flower to the curve of her throat.
“I knew it,” the child squealed. “’Tis yellow I see.”
Her mother shot Emma a wink. “I suppose she likes the man she came with.”
Delight sparkled in the little girl’s eyes. “Do you?”
“Yes,” Emma said with a laugh. Emotion swamped her at thoughts of Patrik, at the enormity of what he made her feel. The lighthearted moment shattered.
Ignorant of Emma’s panic, Marie chuckled. “As the lad is her husband, I would be agreeing.”
“Here.” The girl laid her doll within Emma’s hands.
Overwhelmed by thoughts of Patrik, of his growing importance in her life, she stared at the doll unseeing.
What exactly did she feel for Patrik? She could not feel love. She did not know how. Still, a hard pressure tightened in her chest, one she refused to study too deeply.
“You are not saying anything,” the girl said.
Fingers trembling, Emma gripped the doll, focused on it. Carved wood made the sturdy body. A ball of undyed cloth made the face, the eyes two black stones, their centers carved and secured with a tiny piece of hemp. Long, brown hair lay secured to the head. Emma touched a length.
“’Tis from our horse,” Joneta proclaimed.
Emma forced a smiled. “So it is. And a beautiful doll you have. Why did you share her with me?”
“You looked sad,” the child replied. “I wanted to make you smile.”
Her breath left her in a rush. She glanced at Marie, found the woman watching her with curiosity. “Here.” Emma returned the doll. “She misses you.”
A huge smile curved Joneta’s mouth. “She does.”
Somber, Emma watched as the girl skipped away, the child’s mind already immersed in her next mind’s inspiration.
“She is a thoughtful lass.”
The mother’s soft words had Emma glancing over. “Yes, as thoughtful as her mother. Your daughter is blessed to have you.”
A blush touched Marie’s weathered cheeks, but pride as well. “Come,” she said, standing. “The stew should be about done. We need to set the table; the men will be hungry.”
Joneta skipped at her side as Emma walked toward the solid cottage. What would it be like to live such a simple existence?
No, not simple, a life complicated by a man’s desires and a country at war. But against the foils of life, they’d carved out a home, and against all odds, had found love.
Chapter 10
Patrik leaned back at the table, the easy conversation making him yearn for the times he’d supped with his brothers. A memory came of Duncan swapping Alexander’s ale for wash water as they had broken their fast, and of how Alexander had spewed the lot. Without any hesitation as to who would pull such a prank, Alexander had rounded on Duncan, but the youngest brother had already bolted for the entry.
