Page 58 of The Laird’s Lost Wife

“But that’s nae fair. It was years ago.”

Elspeth gave her an amused smile. “Why, thinking of wedding him yerself, are ye?”

Color bloomed in Daphne’s cheeks. “Nay, of course nae!”

“I’m only messing with ye,” Elspeth chuckled. “He’s a handsome man, and an interesting one, but nobody who kens him would be foolish enough to try to catch him. He sticks to his vows.”

“Surely nobody would hold him to such a vow.”

She shrugged. “His vow proves that we, his people, mean more to him than any new child ever would.”

Daphne’s head spun.

New child? That seems pointed. Do they ken about Willow? If Helena and Lady Pilbury guessed, perhaps others could work it out too.

Then what would I do?

She didn’t have the answer. It would simply have to be something that she’d worry about when it came to it.

“I daenae understand why he’d make a vow like that in the first place,” she said, frowning. “Daenae lairds need heirs?”

“Nae blood heirs. They have to name an heir, aye, but it doesnae have to be their child. Of course, if a laird names somebody other than their eldest living male heir, it generally leads to war, so most just have that child succeed them. But nay, Laird MacCrimmon doesnae need to have another child.”

There it was again. Another child.

Daphne glanced uncertainly at the maid. There was more to this story than she was hearing; she was sure of it. The smile had faded from Elspeth’s face a little, replaced by a worried expression.

“Why did he make the vow?” Daphne whispered.

Elspeth shifted, clearing her throat. “That’s nae me tale to tell, me Lady. I hope ye will forgive me.”

“Oh, of course, of course. I… I didnae mean to pry.”

Elspeth shook her head tightly. “It’s just that we’re nae encouraged to speak of it. There are many secrets kept in this keep.”

Daphne swallowed.

Is Willow one of those secrets? Do they all ken about her already? If he’s made a vow like that, what will happen when people find out that he does have a child?

It couldn’t be anything good; she was sure of that.

Elspeth shifted uneasily from foot to foot, not meeting Daphne’s eyes. She cleared her throat once or twice, adjusting her laundry basket. It was pretty clear that she hoped to escape, but Daphne had more questions. Surely if she asked directly and made it clear that she wouldn’t give up, then⁠—

“Ah, Elspeth, lass, off ye go, on yer way,” came Helena’s voice from behind.

Daphne glanced back to find Helena standing only a few feet behind, a small smile on her face.

“We daenae want to tire our guests unduly. On with yer work, then, and let Daphne here enjoy her holiday, aye?”

“Aye, me Lady,” Elspeth responded, bobbing a quick, relieved curtsey. She scurried off without so much as a backward glance.

Daphne said nothing for a moment. Had Helena heard what she was asking Elspeth? Was that her subtle way of warning her off?

Nay, I’m imagining it. There’s nay way Helena heard.

“I would pay nay mind to that story, lass,” Helena said briskly.

Daphne winced.