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Keir smiled at her. “Bravo!” He applauded, delighting in the joy lighting up her face. “Well done! If ye keep practicing, soon no one will be able to tell if ye’re English or Scottish.”
A look of accomplishment came to Dorothea’s eyes, and as she continued to repeat the sentence he had suggested, that adorable frown vanished from her little face, replaced by a heartwarming smile. “I willna frown. I willna frown.”
Keir chuckled, then turned to assist Sarah and Katherine out of the carriage while Mr. Garner once again saw to the horses. Augusta bounced around joyfully, the excitement of her ride still buzzing within her limbs. Only this time, Dorothea did not look at her sister with envious eyes. No, indeed, her mind was still focused on the words she kept repeating.
To Keir’s surprise, Sarah managed to convince Katherine to hand her Frederica. The girl was wide awake for a change, her blue eyes open and looking out into the world with great interest.
After a moment of hesitation, Katherine stepped away from her youngest daughter and toward her eldest. “How was the ride, my dear?”
Augusta beamed up at her mother, her mouth not standing still. Katherine smiled, brushing a tender hand over her daughter’s head, her expression growing more relaxed.
“I think she’s feeling better,” Sarah whispered beside him, hope ringing in her voice as she gently bounced little Frederica up and down. “As are you, isn’t that right?” she cooed to her little niece. “Fed and changed and warm.” She met Keir’s eyes. “Did you hear her cry before?”
Grinning, Keir nodded. “The French probably heard her cry.”
Sarah chuckled, and Keir smiled down at aunt and niece before his attention returned to Katherine. “Aye, she seems a bit more at ease.” Again, his gaze strayed to the small braids upon Sarah’s temples, and he reached out a hand to tug a small wisp of hair back behind her ear. “But ’twill take time, lass. Ye’ll have to be patient.”
Sarah nodded, and yet her blue eyes shone with exuberance. “I know. It’s only that it’s been so long since I’ve seen her like this. Part of me feared I never would again.”
Keir nodded, watching Katherine as she ventured over to Dorothea, placing her hand upon the little girl’s shoulder. “And how was your ride, my dear?”
For a moment, Dorothea did not seem to hear a word. Then, however, she looked up and met her mother’s eyes. Instead of answering her question, though, she said, “I willna frown.”
While Keir and Sarah burst out laughing, Katherine seemed taken aback. She clearly did not know what to make of her child’s reply, and so Dorothea attempted to explain. “When I grow up, I’ll be a Scot,” she declared, the deepest conviction in her voice.
Glancing toward Sarah and Keir, Katherine’s lips twitched. “Is that so?”
Dorothea nodded. “Keir said so.”
Katherine chuckled. “Then, by all means, continue.”
At her mother’s words, Dorothea turned away, her little feet carrying her around the small grove, her lips whispering again and again, “I willna frown.”
Even Augusta chuckled, and together, they prepared for the midday meal, stretching their legs and enjoying a moment of rest. Dorothea, though, seemed completely oblivious to the amusement her sudden obsession stirred within her family.
“Are there children where you live?” Augusta asked as they sat together, enjoying a bite to eat.
At her sister’s question, Dorothea stopped muttering and looked up.
Keir squeezed Sarah’s hand, sensing the amused tremble of suppressed laughter within her. He did not dare meet her eyes lest he lose his own struggle and offend the girl by laughing.Aye, they’re adorable!
“Of course,” Keir replied with as much earnestness as he could muster. “Ye long to make some friends?”
Augusta nodded eagerly. “I’ve never had a friend.”
“Well,” Keir elaborated, leaning forward as he spoke to the girls across from him, “my oldest friend Eoghan has a wee lassie right about your age.” Indeed, the thought of the wee lassies robbed of all the delights of childhood angered Keir.
Augusta squealed with delight. “What’s her name?”
“Bonnie. But I’m not sure ye’d like her,” Keir added, glancing at them and drawing down his brows into a serious frown.
Augusta’s eyes widened, fixed upon his face. “Why not?” Dorothea, too, looked at him with rapt attention.
Keir sighed, shaking his head a bit dramatically. “Well, she’s not a well-behaved young lady like yerselves. She’s got a bit of a mischievous side, always going off on some kind of adventure.”
Again, an almost inaudible squeal emanated from Augusta. “She sounds marvelous! When can I meet her?”
Keir laughed. “I suppose as soon as we reach our destination.”
