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“Since me faither left me, I havenae really had a place to call home. Now, with the pair of ye squabblin’ over where I can live if I abandon yer brother, I’ve got the choice of two.” Edwina’s voice caught in her throat, spoiling the jest. “I’m grateful for that, as I’m grateful for the welcome ye continue to give me. For that, Melissa, I’ll tell Miriam that Auld Bonny has decided she doesnae like milk anymore.”
Meredith gently pulled Edwina into a hug, which Melissa soon joined, the two sisters holding Edwina as if she really was part of the family. Having held herself together until that moment, she finally let her sadness flow, knowing that the sisters would take the weight for her until the worst of it passed.
* * *
“I’ll nae be a moment! Daenae set anythin’ on fire or anger any of the Castle sprites!” Edwina shouted back into the Morning Room, on her way out to fetch luncheon for the children.
Mischievous, somewhat unnerving laughter echoed back, hastening her pace along the hallway. She realized she could have asked a servant to bring the luncheon, but she did not want to offend anyone by assuming they were one if they were not.
Skidding around a corner, however, she saw a servant she recognized. A pleasant woman who often looked after the children when Meredith and Melissa were otherwise occupied.
“Ellen, thank goodness!” Edwina came to an abrupt halt, stooping to catch her breath.
Ellen smiled. “Are ye well, Lady Edwina? Are the bairns causin’ ye trouble?”
“Nae at all,” Edwina assured. “But they might turn feral if they daenae get their luncheon soon. I was on my way to fetch it, only to realize that I daenae ken where the kitchens are.”
Ellen laughed softly. “I’ll bring the luncheon to ye, Lady Edwina. Are ye still in the Morning Room?”
“We are.”
Ellen curtsied. “Then, I’ll nae be long.”
Offering sincere gratitude, Edwina turned around and sprinted back the way she had come, wondering which was worse: running through endless hallways or having to climb the staircase to Felix’s tower. She knew which she preferred.
I should go to that inn in Kinloch and put my mind at ease,she told herself, slowing her pace as her lungs threatened to burst.I daenae ken him well, if at all, but I havenae seen a version of him that could be disloyal.
With the wedding only a day away, however, she knew she did not have time to venture to a far-flung village. She would either have to trust in what shedidknow of Felix, and put the supposed indiscretion behind them, or she would have to marry him and hold a grudge. Of course, there was a third option—
But where would I go? How far could my meagre trinkets and gowns get me?
Opening her mouth to announce the imminent arrival of the food, Edwina halted on the threshold to the Morning Room. Her words halted with her. Somehow, in her brief absence, Felix had appeared.
He crawled across the floor on all fours, with the youngest of the six children, Thomas and Brecken, riding upon his back. Meanwhile, Miriam walked ahead of him, pretending to lead him by an invisible rope. Alder, Melissa’s eldest son, looked on enviously, for he was of that age where he thought himself too old for childish things, but wished he could still play. As for Elspeth, she sat on the opposite side of the room, flapping her arms like wings and huffing out violent breaths as though she was breathing fire.
The only one who was not involved was Meredith’s eldest, Edward, who barely glanced up from his book. He was likely glad to have someone else take the role of plaything.
“Move faster, bear!” Brecken commanded, kicking his little legs against Felix’s sides.
In reply, Felix performed a startlingly convincing roar.
“Eat the dragon!” Thomas cried, jabbing a finger toward Elspeth.
Felix made a whimpering sound that sent Elspeth into a fit of giggles, pausing her fire breathing for a moment.
“A bear couldnae eat a dragon,” Alder pointed out, folding his arms across his chest like his father, Angus.
Felix licked his lips and began plodding toward Alder instead of Elspeth. The boys on his back shrieked with glee, chanting, “Eat Alder! Eat Alder! Eat Alder!”
Poor Alder clearly did not know whether to be delighted or whether to keep pretending he was above such things. In the end, he decided on the former, as he whipped out an imaginary sword and swished it from side to side.
“Get back, foul beastie!” he shouted. “I willnae give ye another warnin'.”
Edwina clamped a hand over her mouth to stop a laugh from escaping, for the boy had obviously learned that last part from his father, too.
With fond eyes, she watched the scene play out. The bear continued on toward Alder, who leaped and twirled, brandishing his invisible sword with great skill. Yet, the boy was no match for the bear and the two giddy boys who sat astride the creature. Thomas and Brecken slid off Felix’s back and attacked Alder like wild ferrets, trying to bring him down. To avoid any actual harm from happening, Felix lunged and grabbed Alder, throwing the boy over his shoulder as he pretended to eat.
“Ye were right, Alder—dragon is too tough for a bear,” Felix said, setting the boy down.
