Page 82 of The Laird's Secret Bairn

Freya and Emily used to ask for her opinion now and then or put her in charge of something simple, but she had never been given this much responsibility.

“Yer first time planning something?” Kenna asked.

Skye shook her head, but Kenna could probably tell she was lying from the way her face turned bright red. Mercifully, she only laughed, deciding not to mention it and save her the embarrassment.

“We’ll do fine,” she assured her, patting her arm. “Just follow me lead.”

Skye smiled weakly. “I think I can do that. Thank ye for the advice, me Lady.”

“No need to thank me, dear. I offer advice to anyone willing to listen.”

For some reason, Skye had the feeling that Dougal didn’t listen to his mother’s advice as much as she’d have liked.

Lily was ‘helping’ in her own way. Kenna had given her something simple to do, keeping her busy. Which was just as well, because they needed to focus on the preparations.

Then Freya decided to show up unexpectedly.

Skye was in the middle of demonstrating a rather clumsy reel, Lily giggling helplessly at her missteps, when a familiar voice cut through the music the maids had been humming for practice. She thought she was hearing things at first. Freya had said she wanted to visit, but surely she wasn’t visiting so soon without prior notice?

“Well, this isnae what I expected to find upon arriving.”

Skye spun around to find Freya standing in the doorway, with her arms crossed and an eyebrow arched in amusement.

“Freya!” She abandoned the dance entirely, crossing the room to pull her sister into an embrace. “Ye came.”

She was embarrassed that Freya had caught her trying to teach Lily to dance, for she had never been skilled at dancing. Much as Freya tried to teach her, she could never seem to get the steps right. She had spent more time stepping on Freya and Kaden’s feet than managing to perform any dance moves.

“Of course I came. Did ye think I’d miss the chance to see ye making a fool of yerself dancing with a seven-year-old?” Freya’s eyes crinkled with warmth despite the teasing. “Though I’ll admit, ye looked rather more graceful in yer letters than ye did just now.”

Skye blushed. “I never claimed to be graceful. Ye ken very well I am far from graceful. Isnae that what ye have always said?”

Freya would sometimes call her Graceless Skye when she was younger. It was never a name Skye took to heart. But that did not mean she did not have her own nicknames for her sister.

“Nay, ye certainly didnae.” Freya glanced past her, taking in Lily with open curiosity. “And this must be the famous Lily I’ve heard so much about.”

Lily beamed, dropping into a wobbly curtsy. “Ye’re Skye’s sister! She talks about ye all the time. She says ye have a temper, but it’s all right.”

“Does she now?” Freya shot Skye a look, fighting a smile. “I suppose that’s fair enough. Skye is right. I do have a bit of a temper, but she is usually the cause of it.”

Skye balked. “I am nae, Freya!”

“All right, ye are only the cause of Kaden’s temper half the time,” Freya teased lightly.

Lily burst into a fit of giggles. “Ye two are silly!”

Freya smiled.

“Where are Kaden and Emily?” Skye asked. “I hoped they would come as well.”

She tried not to look around for her brother and sister-in-law. They had not come. Had they arrived with Freya, they would have all greeted her at the same time. She tried not to show her disappointment, but it was difficult.

“Emily wished to come, truly, but the roads have been rough this time of year, and ye ken how poorly she fares on the road even on the smoothest of days. Kaden thought it was best for her to rest at home rather than risk making herself ill on the way.” Freya’s expression softened. “She sends her love, and she made me promise to describe everything in detail when I return. I told her I wouldnae spare a detail.”

Skye wasn’t sure she liked the sound of it, but she decided it was better to say nothing, lest her sister start teasing her again in front of Lily.

“I’m glad she’s being careful.”

“As am I.” Freya turned her attention back to the main hall, taking in the ribbons and half-finished decorations scattered about. “Now, will someone tell me what all this fuss is about, or must I guess?”