Page 20 of The Highlander's Alluring Spy
Magnolia stared at her. What words to be coming out of a child’s mouth! Was it wisdom or just a story? She certainly seemed earnest just enough, and it was more vivid than any childhood dream that Magnolia had ever heard.
Stop being absurd, Magnolia. You are getting caught up in a children’s story.
“That is a very bittersweet story, Elaine,” she told her. The girl looked confused, so she clarified. “That means it’s both sad and happy at the same time. It’s sad that your Mother is gone, of course, but I am thrilled that you are happy and healthy here with me now.”
“Aye, that’s what Dadaidh always says too,” Elaine agreed. “Listen, though, can ye dae me a favor?”
Magnolia had learned from experience never to blindly promise anything. “What sort of favor?” she asked cautiously.
Elaine turned and took one of Magnolia’s hands between both of her small ones. “Can ye please be me Dadaidh’s friend? I think it’d help make him happy and help me Mamaidh tae move on an’ get tae the world o’ the Sith.”
“Why would your Father want to be friends withme?” Magnolia asked, not able to hide her astonishment. Quickly, she covered herself. “I mean, he’s a great Laird, and I am just your nanny.”
Elaine shrugged. “Because ye’re kind an’ nice and ye make me laugh. Ye’re my friend, so I think ye’d be a good friend for me Dadaidh as well. Will ye try? Please?”
Something about the way she asked just melted Magnolia’s heart. She didn’t understand exactly where this had come from, but the child was clearly set on it.
Did she sense the awkwardness between us? Has the scene in the library affected us both quite that much?
For some reason, the idea that she could have affected Nathair so significantly made her cheeks warm. If Elaine noticed them changing color, though, she didn’t comment, for which Magnolia was grateful.
“I suppose,” Magnolia said, “That I can try. But only as much as your Father wants. I will not invade his privacy, Elaine. He is a very busy man.”
“Och, I ken that,” Elaine said. “But ye promise ye’ll try? For me and for me Mamaidh?”
Magnolia felt a little helpless, but she nodded. “Yes, I promise that I’ll try,” she said.
God above only knew how she could ever keep that promise and do her job, too.
She would try, though. For Elaine.
Perhaps, if nothing else, it would help dispel the strange feeling she’d had since she got here. She could both play at spy and be courteous. It wouldn’t be that hard.
The only things that were at risk were Elaine’s happiness.
And Magnolia’s neck.
6
The Library
Magnolia couldn’t see a thing, which meant the blindfold was working. Elaine was darting around like a pup, calling her name from every which way, excitedly declaring that the nanny could never catch her.
The child’s laughter was more than charming. Magnolia was glad she had agreed to play blind man’s bluff, even if she was apparently terrible at it. Elaine called out again, and Magnolia hurried in the direction she was sure the child’s voice was coming.
“Nay, Maggie! O’er here!” Elaine’s voice was somehow behind her! Magnolia spun on her feet, hurrying back in that direction.
“I’ll catch you!” she proclaimed, receiving another slew of giggles for her efforts as she lunged blindly towards the sound.
She lurched to an abrupt stop as she walked directly into something. At first, she thought it was just a tree, but trees weren’t so warm, nor did they smell of wood smoke and honey with a touch of lavender. Trees didn’t have strong arms that steadied her, and trees didn’t awkwardly clear their throats as she took a step away from them and removed her blindfold.
“Dadaidh!” Elaine cried, hurtling across the garden and up into her father’s arms. Nathair held her close, kissing her hair, but his eyes were still on Magnolia.
Magnolia felt the blood rush to her cheeks. It had been near a week since the events at the library, and a few days since Elaine’s little speech at the forest. She had hardly seen any part of the Laird since. She was confident that he was avoiding her, which was perfect for her, as she had no wish to interact with him now either.
She knew what she’d promised Elaine, but the thought made her stomach swoop with uncomfortable anxiety. Every time she thought of him, all she could remember was the feeling of his breath against her skin, the proximity of his body to hers as her back pressed against the polished wood door, the danger and excitement that had sparked between their eyes…
The downside, of course, was that no matter how she searched or who she questioned in the meantime, she had found nothing. No proof of an invasion plan, no mutterings of an ambush. She would need to return to her strategy of befriending the laird, somehow.
