Theo tilted his head and heaved out a sigh as his eyes caught sight of his reflection. He wasn’t there with them. He was on the other side of the window, a stranger looking in, stealing the warmth of their glow until they pushed him away.
A small part of him wanted to go to them. He wanted to kneel beside Amber and help her plant the next row of flowers. But he didn’t move. The thought of ruining their moment kept him rooted to the spot.
Stephen glanced at him. “Why dinnae ye go join them?”
Theo’s lips curled into a faint, sad smile. “Because they look happy. I’ll only scare the lass.”
He looked back out the window, the fading light wrapping them in a golden hue that seated itself in his memory.
“And I’m nae sure I belong to that kind of joy.”
Stephen didn’t argue. He simply rested a hand on Theo’s shoulder, then turned, leaving him standing in the quiet, watching from the shadows, where his longing felt safest.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The fire crackled low in the grate, its soft warmth warding off the late autumn chill that had begun to creep into the keep. Books lay scattered across the long oak table in Theo’s study, parchment maps and planting charts covering nearly every surface.
Theo leaned back in his chair, his eyes heavy as he swirled the drink in his glass. Stephen sat across from him, his boots propped up on a stool, balancing a tankard on his knee.
“It’s been two weeks now since yer wife took the wee one under her wing,” Stephen noted, watching the fire. “And I must say, they’re doin’ a lot better than I thought.”
“Well, that makes one of us,” Theo answered, before draining his glass and setting it down.
“Ye cannae be upset that it’s takin’ so long,” Stephen said as he refilled his glass from the decanter on the table.
Theo glanced up at him, his face unreadable.
Stephen continued, “The kitchen maids are singing Lavina’s praises. They say it’s the first reprieve they’ve had since the child arrived. Nay more hidin’ under tables or runnin’ out into the courtyard when she hears a man’s voice.”
Theo let out a soft grunt of agreement, leaning further back in his chair. “It has been rather pleasant, seein’ Amber like this. ‘Tis almost as if she considers this place her home now. Maybe she is startin’ to feel like she belongs somewhere again.”
Stephen arched an eyebrow. “Ye think Lavina will ever get her to talk?”
Theo shrugged, then tilted his glass to his lips. “Hard to say. She’s way more patient than I could ever be. If anyone can get Amber to speak, I’ll bet me money on me wife.”
“Is that so? Do ye want to put yer money where yer mouth is?” Stephen asked, wagging his eyebrows greedily.
“Ye really want to bet against me wife?” Theo drawled, his tone lighter than it had been in years.
There was joy in betting against his man-at-arms. It wasn’t the bet per se, but knowing that Lavina was a woman of her word. If she thought she could get the child to talk, she would.
“Well, it depends on what’s at stake,” Stephen replied, rubbing his hands together. “I wouldnae mind havin’ a few days off to do as I please, as well as that sweet, wee lass workin’ in the kitchen with Molly.”
Theo’s eyes narrowed. “And if me wife proves ye wrong, ye’ll nae be touchin’ any more maids. Ye’ll have to find yer sport in the village.”
“But that’s so far,” Stephen complained.
Theo’s lips twitched as he suppressed a smirk.
“Then we have an agreement?” he asked, just as he caught sight of Lavina strolling past his study door.
He craned his neck to catch another glimpse of her, only to find she wasn’t alone.
Amber skipped between her and Maisie, clutching what looked like a small woven basket. Her head was tilted up, her eyes bright with curiosity.
Maisie said something animatedly, her arms gesturing in the air like windmills. And then it happened.
A voice. Soft, small, but clear.
