Effie was blissfully unaware of the silent astonishment spooling through Beatrice's mind. She was chattering on about how much she loved to come up to the watchtower, how this was her favorite place to go, and how she was safe there no matter what was happening in the castle. She leaned against the wall, beaming up at Bea. Her small face captured a tangle of emotions, each feature radiating a different thought.
“Are ye goin' to stay with us, Bea?” she asked.
Beatrice crouched down so she was at her eye level, and despite having no idea what she should say, she told her something she knew she shouldn’t have.
“Effie, I will be by yer side always. I can promise ye that.”
Effie reached out and wrapped her arms around Beatrice's neck, nuzzling into her like an affectionate housecat. As Beatrice hugged her back, a sinking feeling coiled in her stomach.
What were ye thinkin’, sayin’ that to her? Ye daenae ken what’s going to happen.
Leo had been on the hunt for Effie and Beatrice to tell them it was time for dinner, but neither could be found in their usual spots. Shona had been searching the garden and the courtyard before she rushed up to him in a flustered panic.
“They arenae there either,” she said. “Do ye think they may have left the castle?”
Beatrice wouldnae be that reckless to leave the grounds with Effie. She may be stubborn and hard to pin down, but she’s nae reckless.
Leo ordered Shona to stay with him, hoping she might be able to spot movement he missed. But as she began listing off all the places she had searched, another one came to mind.
“Shona, did ye check the old watchtower?” he asked.
Shona’s brow furrowed. “Nay, I didnae. I daenae think Effie even kens how to get into the rickety thing.”
“Me daughter kens how to get into just about everywhere,” Leo muttered, as frustrated with himself as he was with Beatrice.
She has nay right to run off with Effie like this.
He marched up to the tower, stopping for a moment on the stone walkway to listen for the sounds of laughter and chittering voices. They drifted out to him, the two having a wonderful time together and lost in their moment of fantasy. He could hear Effie discussing all the made-up secrets she believed the castle held and Beatrice telling her in a gentle, reassuring tone how interesting it all was, despite knowing none of it was true.
If he had kept a cooler head, he would have appreciated the connection between them for what it was, pleased that his daughter had found friendship in someone who was recently a stranger. Unfortunately, it was not in his nature.
He barreled into the watchtower with such force that both Effie and Beatrice started.
“This is where ye two have been,” he snapped.
Beatrice rose to her full height, while Effie stayed crouched on the ground. “Leo, Effie wanted to show me?—”
“Effie, get up,” Leo barked. “On yer feet. Ye’re going with Shona.”
“I want to stay with Bea,” Effie protested.
Leo growled, pointing towards the walkway where Shona waited, her face pinched.
“Go on, Effie,” Beatrice urged. “I’ll be right behind ye.”
As Effie scampered down the walkway, Beatrice started to follow her, but Leo stepped into her path, halting her.
“Daenae disappear with me child like that again,” he warned, hot and cold at the same time. “Do ye understand?”
“I only wished—” Beatrice tried.
“Where do ye get the nerve, lass?” he interrupted.
“Daenae speak to me like I’m a reckless child under yer authority. And as far as I ken, ye daenae see me as a child.”
Instinctively, Leo leaned closer to her.
“What do ye think I see ye as?” he asked on a slow exhale.
