Page 28 of Wedded to the Heartless Highlander
Erica’s heart clenched, and she sensed the weight of the unspoken words. “I’m so sorry, Lily. I cannae imagine how hard that must be. But ye have a family now, with me and Uncle Hunter.”
“Aye, but it’s different,” Lily said, her voice barely above a whisper. “He loves me, but he doesnae talk much. He’s busy with… things.”
Hunter’s name lingered in the air, heavy and charged with tension. Erica glanced toward the hallway where he had disappeared, a fresh pang of concern lancing through her. “He does care for ye. I can see that.”
Lily nodded, her expression resolute yet wistful. “I ken that. He tries hard. But I want to see him smile more. I want him to be happy.”
The sincerity in the child’s words struck Erica deeply. “And ye, too, deserve happiness, Lily. We can find ways to make each other smile.”
Lily beamed, her youthful spirit brightening the dimness of the castle once more. “I would like that, Aunt Erica.”
Erica’s heart swelled with affection for the girl. “Then let’s start by plannin’ that garden party together, shall we? And perhaps we can go down to the kitchen tomorrow and bake some pastries too?”
Lily’s eyes twinkled as she clapped her hands together in delight. “Aye! I’ll teach ye me favorite recipe! It’s for sweet buns, and they’re so fluffy!”
“Ach! Speakin’ of!” Erica said as Brian returned shortly with a tray filled to the brim with pastries.
The two of them moved to the Great Hall, still deep in conversation, their laughter mingling with the faint crackling of the fire.
For the first time since her arrival, Erica felt a glimmer of hope, a sense that maybe, just maybe, she could find her place in this castle, this family.
As the day wore on, they wandered through the castle, exploring its nooks and crannies. Lily spoke about the castle’s history, weaving stories about brave knights who’d fought for their land and ladies who’d outsmarted foes with their cleverness. Erica listened intently, realizing how much the girl had absorbed despite her tender age.
The hours passed slowly, filled with laughter and discovery. Lily showed Erica the library, a dusty room lined with towering shelves filled with leather-bound books, and they spent time flipping through volumes of tales and lore, discovering a shared love for adventure.
“Can we read one together?” Lily asked, her eyes bright with excitement.
“Aye, let’s find a good one,” Erica replied, scanning the titles until she found a tome filled with tales of knights and daring deeds.
They settled into a cozy corner by the window. The sunlight filtered through the glass, casting warm rays across the room. Erica began to read aloud, her voice soft and animated, and she watched as Lily became completely absorbed, hanging onto her every word.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold, the reality of her situation crept back in. She thought of Hunter, the tension that seemed to hover between them, and the undeniable pull she felt whenever he was near.
She shook her head, trying to dispel the thoughts.
“Ye look thoughtful, Aunt Erica,” Lily noted, breaking into her reverie.
“I was just thinkin’ about how much I like this place,” Erica replied, smiling down at the girl. “And about how wonderful it is to spend time with ye.”
Lily beamed, but Erica could see a flicker of concern behind those bright eyes. “Do ye like Uncle Hunter?”
“Aye,” Erica said carefully. “He’s very brave, and I admire him.”
Lily narrowed her eyes slightly as if she were assessing Erica’s sincerity. “But ye’re nae… in love with him, are ye?”
Erica felt her cheeks flush. “Well, it’s a bit complicated, lass. We’ve only just met, after all. There’s much we still need to learn about each other.”
“But he’s yer husband now,” Lily pointed out, her eyebrows knitting together. “Ye should love him. It’s important.”
Silence fell between them, heavy with unspoken truths.
“Ye are right, Lily. It is important. And love can grow in many ways. It’s just that…”
“It’s just that he’s grumpy,” Lily finished for her, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Erica laughed softly. “Aye, he can be grumpy. But perhaps we can show him how to smile more, just like we discussed.”
Lily nodded vigorously, her enthusiasm returning. “I want to help! I want him to smile, and I want us to be a happy—” She stopped herself before saying ‘family’, but Erica understood.
