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Chapter Ten
Blair
The following day, Blair awoke early and quickly dressed, wanting a moment alone in the garden before her usual morning ministrations with the laird. She grabbed the basket after dressing, hoping to find some flowers she could bring to the laird’s chamber later. They would surely help freshen the air in his room.
Before pushing the door open, her hand slipped into the pocket of her dress, feeling the flower petals from the previous day. Perhaps, she should gather more for the laird’s tea, she thought while leaving her room and skipping through the corridor and down the steps towards the garden. She shoved the garden’s door open with her shoulder and smiled at the first sun’s rays glimmering down upon the plants, reminding her of the garden of Eden.
She hummed while she strode through the dirt path, careful not to step on the roots and flowers. The path was narrow while herbs and bushes grew. Flowers blossomed on either side, varying in colors. Blair tried to focus on recalling their names, yet her gaze often moved towards the bench. She could still see Aindreas from that night, beckoning her forward. No matter how much she tried, she couldn’t rid herself of the memories.
She needed to speak with him. Blair frowned, her gaze drifting to the lavender pressing against her leg. If she was able to catch Aindreas alone, she had no clue what to say to him. Perhaps, the one word she needed to ask was ‘why,’ but she doubted Aindreas would give her an appropriate answer.
Her hand grazed the lavender below her, recalling the lavender Tavis had sent to her just last night. The tea had helped her, yet her dreams were filled with Aindreas’s soft caress and the touch of his lips on her forehead. She remembered the look he gave her before he had left. It was filled with such worry and pain. A hint of surprise lingered on his face as if he hadn’t intended to kiss her farewell.
Something had troubled him that night, and she wanted to know if she had been too forward. There had to be a reason for his avoidance. It was so plainly obvious he didn’t want to be around her.
Blair sighed and dropped to the earthen floor, gazing down at the primroses before her. She picked one and brought it to her nose, inhaling deeply before asking softly, “Do ye know what went wrong?”
“I didn’t know flowers could speak.”
Blair jumped, dropping the primrose while she turned around. Her eyes widened on Daniel, standing in front of her with his arms crossed. He tilted his head to the side, smiling easily while nodding at the flowers before him. “Unless ye have bewitched them all.”
Blair ran her hands over her dress, smoothing out the wrinkles while she wobbled into a standing position. “Nae, they never answer me.”
Daniel chuckled. “I suppose that makes sense then. Although, some may believe it, given yer with Tavis most the day. Some may say yer acquiring the skills of a healer much faster than most.”
Blair jutted out her chin. “I assure ye, I spend most my days reading rather than speaking with flowers.”
Daniel rubbed the back of his head. “Ye needn’t tell me, Miss Blair. The maids often whisper nonsense throughout the castle. Ye shouldn’t pay them any mind.” He stepped towards her, offering his hand. “Would ye like my help? I can be very useful in the ways of speaking with flowers.”
Blair giggled, taking his hand and allowing him to pull her body towards him. His hand felt cold in hers. It was the complete opposite of Aindreas, who was so warm as if the sun radiated within him. Aindreas’s hand was bigger than Daniel’s, and she couldn’t help remembering the way he had stroked her hair tenderly before turning away from her.
She clamped her eyes closed, willing the memories of the laird’s son away. She shouldn’t compare the men. They were different in their own ways. Daniel was kind, whereas Aindreas was gruff and distant. Daniel treated her gently as if he genuinely cared for her.
But Aindreas lit a fire within her she had never felt before.
“So, who were ye talking to before?”
Blair opened her eyes, watching Daniel pick up her discarded primrose from the ground and dropping it into the basket. She smiled, finding it easy to be around Daniel. He always made her feel so comfortable, unlike Aindreas, who constantly made her nervous every time she was in his presence.
“Primroses,” she answered while picking another and holding it up to Daniel’s nose. “They’re my favorite.”
Daniel inhaled deeply, his gaze remaining on her while his smile brightened. “They smell wonderful.” His hand grazed against hers, pulling her closer while the flower caressed his jaw. “Do they have any special powers in healing like lavender?”
Blair giggled, tilting her head to the side as she stared up at Daniel. He wasn’t beautiful, like Aindreas, but there was something about him that made him handsome. Possibly his kindness or the adoration in his wide brown eyes.
She licked her lips, casting her gaze towards her basket. “Nae, I don’t believe they possess any healing properties.” She thought of her Mamó and the story of the prince. In the fairy tale, there was only one thing that could aid him against the evil witch. Primroses were the witch’s only weakness. The flowers had the ability to wilt her power over the handsome prince.
“But,” Blair began, smiling at the memory of the fairy tale. “I was once told primroses might bring inner peace. By inhaling their scent, one may absorb their power, giving them the ability to overcome conflict.” Blair lifted her gaze, and she swallowed the lump in her throat when she met Daniel’s intent stare. “By-by opening their heart to love,” she added shakily. “Love has the power to triumph over any evil.”
Blair stepped back, needing space between them. Her heart dropped to her stomach, and it churned. She didn’t know why, but she felt very dizzy. Her attention focused on the flowers, not knowing where to look as she felt Daniel’s stare upon her.
“I can understand why they are yer favorite,” she heard him say, his voice soft as if they were conspiring together. “Perhaps—“
“Daniel!”
Blair flinched, recognizing that voice. She straightened and watched as Lady Alisa strode through the garden, not caring what flowers and roots she stepped on. Plants crunched under her shoes while she stared at Blair, her gaze fierce and unwavering. Blair frowned, watched the flowers get trampled on, wanting to tell Lady Alisa to be careful, yet knowing she shouldn’t admonish the lady given her station.
“Mother,” Daniel said dutifully with a curt bow. “I was just speaking with—“
