If I’m to avoid being rattled by him, I need to find a place where I can be alone.
Her chambers were out of the question. Too many people coming and going, keeping her under a patrol that attempted to be nonchalant. Even Effie had become an unwitting part of it, since her insistence on being with Beatrice made it hard for Beatrice to disappear into her chambers alone and stay there undisturbed.
But for Effie, I’ll allow it.
It wasn’t Effie she was thinking of at the moment. Her mind raced exclusively with snippets and fragments of Leo, how effortless it was for her to melt in his hands. The very appearance of him rattled the stable world under her feet, and she was helpless without him having to do anything.
After a few minutes of searching, Beatrice came across a wood-paneled room she had never seen before. The tall windows around the upper flank let in the pearly light, holding the mist in its very rays. Below all of that was dark polish and rows upon rows of bookshelves.
This must be the library.
She ran the tips of her fingers over the spines of the books, all lined up like leather-bound soldiers.
That thought only made her envision Leo in the midst of training with his men, so in an attempt to put him out of her mind, she grabbed the thickest book she could find and searched for a quiet corner to tuck herself away.
There were noises and creaks in the cavernous room that she tried to ignore as she read. She had the distinct feeling that someone was creeping around, maybe trying to sneak up on her. Maybe Effie playing a game or Shona looking for her and not wanting to disturb her.
Beatrice closed the book, rose from her seat, and moved on tiptoes towards the latest sound, giddiness blooming in her stomach.
I’ll catch Effie right before she jumps out. She’ll love that her plan was foiled and hate it at the same time.
It would be a game, a silly diversion. Beatrice sank lower in her stance as she approached the row of books where she was positive Effie was lying in wait for her, then sprang around the corner with a wild shout.
“Bah!”
Staring back at her with an amused expression on her face was a tall woman sporting the same hair and eyes as Leo. She pressed a finger to her lips as if trying to suppress a laugh.
“Aye, but ye’re a playful one,” she quipped. “I didnae mean to startle ye. Glad to see I couldnae sneak up on ye.”
“I-I thought ye were Effie,” Beatrice stammered, color rising in her cheeks.
Goodness, what a fool I’ve made of meself.
The woman shook her head. One of her hands was still resting on the bookshelf next to her, as if she were steadying herself. Her stance was too powerful to have been knocked over by the likes of Beatrice acting silly. Beatrice could see that.
“I wanted to meet ye,” the woman admitted. She gestured to the corner where Beatrice had been sitting. “Please, let’s sit down.”
“Meet me?” Beatrice asked as they settled in.
“Aye. Leo has been quite secretive about ye.” The woman tapped her chest. “I’m Violet, his sister.”
“Leo has a sister?”
“Indeed, and I am that sister.”
Beatrice wrung her hands in her lap. She hadn’t known about Effie, and she hadn’t known about Violet. Too often, she had been left completely in the dark, only to be yanked aggressively into the light when she least expected it.
“Ye’re probably curious to ken how I became engaged to yer brother,” Beatrice said.
“Oh, I ken all about Leo already. I daenae need to hear any more about him.” Violet laughed. Beatrice was unsure if it was a joke. “How do ye find MacSween Castle so far?”
“It’s… very big.”
Violet nodded. “Aye, that it is. And cold too. But I suppose we are used to that.”
“Me family’s manor is a bit warmer.”
“What’s yer family name, Beatrice?”
