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“Ye liked the fish?” Fen asked hopefully.
“Tarts!” Nichola grinned. “I liked it all. And I like Brodie. And I like that the pair of ye worked together on tonight’s meal instead of in competition.”
Fen squeezed her sister’s hand. “Aye,” she admitted quietly. “I liked that too.”
From beside Fen, Leanna nudged her shoulder. “Do ye want me to walk ye downstairs?”
In surprise, Fen glanced around. “Nay. Why?”
But Leanna shrugged. “Ye seemed sad. I ken I’ll miss ye, but ye’ll hardly notice I’m gone!”
Fen snorted. “Of course I’ll notice yer absence! The first winter which goes by without the chimney being clogged, or when Mother goes a whole sennight without something horrible dropping on her head, I’ll sigh in relief ye’re no’ longer here!”
Rather than be offended, Leanna giggled. “I ken! I’m determined to make Kenneth’s life adventurous instead!”
When an ear-splitting screech interrupted the evening quiet, the approaching Kenneth winced. “I’ll no’ miss that. Ye still havenae told me the story behind yer ghostly piper, lass.”
Leanna exchanged knowing looks with her sisters. “And I willnae. ‘Tis an Oliphant secret!”
Rolling his eyes, Kenneth pulled her to her feet. “I’m dragging my wife off to our chambers, ladies.”
“No’ to sleep!” Leanna declared cheerfully, snaking her arm around her husband’s waist.
Instead of being appalled, Kenneth’s stern features tugged into a grin. He turned to Fen. “When ye see Brodie, tell him I’ll be looking for him. We have much to discuss, I suspect.”
A sudden lump in her throat, Fen just nodded jerkily and watched as her younger sister and the distinguished laird slowly made their way across the hall. Feeling suddenly drained, Fen said her goodbyes to Nichola—who congratulated her once more on winning the silly contest—and gratefully snuck down the steps to her kitchens.
They were empty, and Fen was surprised how much that disappointed her. Not that she wanted to hear Eppie’s crowing at that moment. And she was pleased the scullery lasses had done their work so well and efficiently.
But she’d been hoping to see Brodie.
And not just to pass along Kenneth’s message.
She wanted to look into his eyes when she asked him his plans…and offered him a place here. With her.
If he’d take it.
Sighing, Fen knew she wasn’t ready for bed, knew she wasn’t ready to walk down that corridor, past Brodie’s room, knowing he was behind that door. Wasn’t ready to consign herself to her own lonely room.
So she continued through the kitchen, which was only now losing its heat from the day, and stepped out into the garden. This was where many of the vegetables and fruit she used to feed the castle denizens were grown and behind that wall was the herb garden.
Where she’d first kissed Brodie.
Tonight, the world was silent and still, not even a breeze to rustle the spinach leaves and cucumber plants. She’d donned shoes earlier when Eppie had demanded her presence in the great hall, and now she was sorry for it, because she couldn’t feel the dirt between her toes as she strolled along the path, head down and attention far away.
Did Brodie appreciate the solace of the garden as much as she did? She was no gardener, but she liked being able to grow useful and delicious things. Did he appreciate the scent of a ripe berry still on the bush, or the possibility of a squash newly plucked from its vine?
Of course he does. ‘Tis why ye love him.
Her lips curled upward as she huffed wryly at herself. ‘Twas true. She loved him.
“Ah, milady. How delightful to find ye here.”
When the man’s voice rang through the garden, Fen gasped and turned hopefully, even as she recognized it wasn’t Brodie’s. For certes, ‘twas Gordon who stood in the little circle of moonlight between the pear trees. His hands were spread, and she could see the flash of teeth, his lips bared in a predator’s smile.
She was already backing away.
“Sir Gordon. Why are ye here?”
