Page 41 of The Laird's Secret Bairn

She was no closer to getting answers than she had been since the day she moved in. Back then, she had been hopeful, but no longer. She remembered her sister promising that she could come back any time.

Lying there in bed, dissecting every part of the conversation last night, did little for her mood. She kicked off the covers in frustration, deciding she would not spend the day sulking in bed.

No, Dougal did not get to do that to her. He was not going to have that much power over her.

Skye dressed quickly in a simple pale blue gown. It was sensible for a day spent around the castle rather than impressing anyone. She pulled her hair back in a plain braid, choosing not to fuss over any pins.

That morning, she had no patience for trying to look her best. Comfort and the ability to move around freely without too much fuss were what mattered the most to her today.

She approached the door, hesitating. What if Dougal was outside?

She wasn’t sure whether she wanted him to be.

She pressed her ear against the door but heard nothing except the faint footsteps of the servants shuffling around the castle.

Taking a deep breath, Skye stepped out of the room to find the hallway empty. Disappointment settled deep within her. What had she been expecting, truly?

She had made it quite clear to Dougal that she was dissatisfied with their fake betrothal. She had told him plainly and clearlythat she regretted it. And then he had followed her all the way back to her rooms without saying a word.

The tension had been thick, almost suffocating. Skye had clutched the cloak tight around her chilled body, refusing to so much as look over her shoulder at him. If she had, she would have said something she regretted.

Now she took hesitant footsteps down the hall, stopping when she heard Lily’s soft, faint voice. She pressed herself against the cool wall, trying to discern what the young girl was saying. Aside from a few giggles, she couldn’t make out much.

When she turned the corner, she found Lily in her room with the door wide open, kneeling on the window seat. The kitten was cradled against her chest, both of them gazing out at the gardens with matching expressions. The girl looked wistful, longing for something she didn’t understand.

Watching Lily was enough to bring Skye to tears. Lily deserved to run outside like all children her age, to feel the wind in her hair and the blades of grass tickling her bare feet.

Skye had spent many mornings during her childhood exploring the grounds back at Castle Muir. Childhood came and went so fast. It was important to enjoy it when one could.

“Well, Blossom,” Lily was saying, “outside looks awfully pretty, but ye might fall and scratch yer knees something terrible.”

Skye paused in the doorway, biting back a smile. “I daenae ken exactly where a cat’s knees are, sweetling, but I imagine she’d manage well enough.”

Lily twisted around and let out a soft giggle. “Skye! D’ye think Blossom has knees? I daenae see any, but everyone has to have knees, right?”

“I think every creature has something like knees, even if we cannae always find them.” Skye crossed the room and settled on the window seat beside her. “Why do ye keep her inside if ye’re both so curious about the outdoors?”

Asking such a thing was playing with fire. Skye knew that Dougal preferred to keep Lily inside the castle. Yesterday was different. Dougal had been out, keeping a close eye on her. Kenna had also been by her side with Skye and Stephen also watching. There had been so many pairs of eyes on her yesterday that there was little chance of anything happening to her.

But today was like most days—Lily was forced to stay inside and watch life pass her by from her window.

She lifted her small shoulders in a shrug, trying very hard to look unbothered. “I prefer to stay inside.”

But her eyes hadn’t left the gardens, tracking a bird as it darted between the hedges.

Skye recognized that longing all too well. She’d worn the same look more times than she could count, staring at doors she’d been told not to open.

The difference was that she’d had a sister who had pushed her to explore. Freya had always encouraged her to enjoy herself, as long as she was safe. But Dougal’s protectiveness of Lily far exceeded any concern Skye’s siblings had shown her.

“I was thinking of taking a walk,” she said carefully. “The gardens, perhaps a bit further, if the weather holds. Would ye and Blossom like to join me?”

The words came out before she could stop them. But Lily’s eyes were shining with longing. Skye could see that she wanted to go out and explore.

What harm could a simple walk do?

She could hear Dougal protesting in her head, telling her that she had no right to intervene in something she did not understand. But it didn’t matter to her. Lily deserved to experience the world outside these four walls. Dougal might think he was protecting her, but he was stiflingher in ways he could not possibly understand.

Lily’s whole face lit up, before she caught herself, schooling it back into caution. “Da says I’m to stay close to the castle. He doesnae like it when I go outside without him keeping watch. Sometimes, Grandmaither can take me, but only if he approves.”