His breath caught before he could stop it. “Good mornin’,” he said, his voice lower than intended.
Eloise blinked, clearly surprised, then gathered herself.
“Good mornin’, me Laird,” she replied, pulling the blanket slightly closer around her. “I see ye've learned to knock.”
He nodded once, his gaze lingering a fraction too long before he forced it away.
“I must inspect the village stores today,” he said, his tone shifting back to business. “Ye will accompany me.”
Eloise lifted a brow. “Will I now?” she asked. He gave a slight tilt of his head. “Aye,” he said. “I’ll wait in the courtyard while ye dress.”
Without another word, he turned and walked away.
By the time Eloise joined him, dressed in a simple but well-fitted gown and cloak, James had already mounted his horse.
If I get close enough to help her onto her horse, I will lose all control…again.
He glanced at her once, approving despite himself. “Ready?” he asked.
Eloise nodded, climbing onto her own mount. “As I’ll ever be,” she said. He gave a small nod, then urged his horse forward, setting a steady pace toward the village below.
The marketplace was already alive when they arrived, filled with voices, movement.
As James dismounted, the villagers took notice at once, heads bowing in respect.
“Me Laird,” one called.
James inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment.
Eloise watched the exchange with quiet curiosity. “They respect ye,” she said as they began to walk.
James glanced at her. “They ken I serve them well,” he replied simply.
They moved between the storerooms, James pausing here and there to inspect goods, ask questions, and offer quiet instruction.
“Ye’ll need to store more grain before the rains come,” he told one man.
“Aye, me Laird,” the man replied.
“Ye’re nae what I expected,” she said softly.
James glanced at her. “And what did ye expect?” he asked.
Before she could answer, he stopped at a market stall and picked up a small wrapped sweet. Without explanation, he handed it to her and paid the vendor.
Eloise blinked. “What is this?” she asked.
“A sweet,” he said plainly.
She huffed. “I ken that,” she said. “Why are ye givin’ it to me?”
He shrugged slightly. “Because ye look like ye would enjoy it,” he said.
She stared at him a moment, then accepted it. “Thank ye,” she said, more softly.
They continued on, and he repeated the gesture, bread here, a small bundle of berries there, always without comment.
Eloise began to smile despite herself. “Ye’re full of surprises today,” she said.
