Page 23 of Highlander's Captive Bride
“I pray that stays down,” Poppy said softly, looking fondly at Elodie.
But Daisy could clearly see the concern in her eyes.
“I fear for the wee lass,” Poppy confessed. “She’s naught but a bag of bones. I dinnae ken how much longer she can last like this.”
The words pierced Daisy’s heart. She understood exactly what Poppy meant, for she felt exactly the same. But hearing her thoughts spoken aloud made her failure to heal the little girl weigh even more heavily upon her.
Daisy watched over Elodie for a little while longer. Then, hearing her stomach rumble, she rose and told Poppy, “While she’s sleeping, I’ll go down to the dining hall for a wee while to get something to eat. Can I bring ye anything?”
“Och, ’tis kind of ye to ask, Daisy, but I’ve breakfasted already. Ye run off now and get something for yerself,” Poppy said with a smile and a shake of her head.
“All right. I willnae be long,” Daisy promised and then slipped quietly out of the room, only to find Jamie standing in the corridor. He gave her a wry smile, and she sighed.
Clearly, the Laird’s trust only went so far. Apparently, though she was no longer to be locked in her room, she was still deemed enough of a risk to require an escort whenever she ventured out of Elodie’s chambers.
They exchanged pleasantries and news on Elodie’s condition while Jamie escorted her to the dining hall, lingering nearby when she sat down and ordered some ham, eggs, porridge, and tea. The food arrived just as Nadia appeared and came to sit with her.
“Good day to ye, Daisy,” Nadia greeted, smiling as she slid onto the bench opposite. “Can I join ye?”
“It looks like ye already have,” Daisy replied, eyeing the young woman with amusement as she salted her porridge. “I’m jesting. I welcome yer company,” she added, seeing Nadia’s nonplussed expression.
“Och, I thought ye were serious,” Nadia said, sounding relieved. Her smile reappeared.
“As long as ye dinnae mind me eating,” Daisy quipped, setting about demolishing the bowlful of creamy oats.
“Of course nae. I’ll be joining ye soon, for I’m just waiting for me toast and preserves to come, so dinnae hold back on me account.” Nadia paused for a moment before leaning forward and asking, “How’s little Elodie this morning?”
“Ach, not much change, I’m afraid. Every day, she grows weaker,” Daisy confided between mouthfuls, feeling a little guilty for her own healthy appetite.
Nadia looked truly downcast at the news. “Aye. I thought as much. ’Tis surprising, is it nae, how quickly she’s grown so sick and thin?”
“’Tis worrying, indeed,” Daisy agreed, not needing to be reminded.
“Have ye nae any idea yet what ails her?” Nadia inquired.
Daisy shook her head. “Nay. ’Tis still a mystery, but I’m trying me best to find out.”
Nadia nodded, looking thoughtful. But she said no more on the subject, for, just then, her toasted bread arrived, along with a small dish of butter and another containing berry jam. She picked up her knife and spread the butter and jam over the warm, crusty bread. She took a dainty bite and chewed on it.
Then, she asked more cheerfully, “Have ye heard about the Beltane celebrations? I’m on the organizing committee with some of the clanswomen. After I’m done here, we’re meeting up in the servants’ hall to start making some new banners and garlands to decorate the halls. Och, ’tis goin’ to be a wonderful party this year, better than ever,” she gushed.
Daisy smiled. “Och, ye ken, I’ve been so busy, I’d quite forgotten ’tis almost time for Beltane,” she admitted, feeling a little excitement at the prospect of the festivities as she sipped her tea.
“Ye have to come,” Nadia told her in a breathy voice. “It’ll be grand. We always have so much fun, and the Laird always makes sure there’s plenty of good food and drink for everyone.”
At the mention of Bellamy, Daisy’s heart skipped a beat, and she silently willed her cheeks not to show the heat that suddenly blossomed in her chest at the memory of her tongue hotly entangled with his. He had been deliberately avoiding her since their embarrassing encounter.
Well, that suits me fine.I have nae wish to repeat the experience.
“Aye, ’tis one of the best times of the year, I reckon, welcoming the first day of summer,” she said, keeping her tone even. “I look forward to it,” she added. Then, she set about eating her ham and eggs, with the germ of an idea beginning to form in her mind.
“D’ye think Elodie will be well enough to attend?” Nadia asked. “She’ll be so disappointed if she cannae come.”
“Let’s hope she’ll be better by then,” Daisy told her, loath to admit that she feared the poor child might not even make it that far.
They chatted a while longer about inconsequential things before finishing their breakfasts.
Nadia dabbed at her lips with a napkin, brushed the crumbs from her dress, and got to her feet. “I must go,” she declared. “The committee is expecting me.”
