Page 12 of A Virgin for the Icy Highlander
How long has she been there?
His thoughts raced back to the conversation he’d had with Thomas. Had Ellie heard them arguing about her needing a new mother? Had they spoken quietly enough to avoid being overheard? Why was she there in the first place? Had she secretly wanted to be close to him?
“I must say, you are the champion of hiding!” Grace said brightly, all of her nerves visibly evaporating the instant she spotted the child.
Hiding her mouth behind the drape so no one could see whether she was smiling or not, Ellie raised her hand in a shy wave. The gesture was more than she had ever offered to anyone sinceHunter had retrieved her. A gesture rich with meaning… and hope that bumping into Grace had been the greatest thing that could have happened to Hunter and his daughter.
Two maids had come in with the women, and it was to them that Hunter turned his attention.
“Show our guests to their chambers,” he instructed.
The maids bowed their heads, the older of the two gesturing to the trio. “If ye’d follow me, Ladies. I’ll take ye to yer rooms and make sure ye’re settled.”
Grace frowned, staring at Hunter. “Youaren’t going to show us the castle?”
“I have other things to attend to,” Hunter replied, casting a pointed look at his brother. “I want this castle in order by the end of the week. It starts with this breakfast excess.”
Even Thomas seemed confused that Hunter wasn’t going to show his guests around the castle, but the younger man shrugged and headed out without a word. He would—with any luck—find his way to Hunter’s study to begin the tireless work of putting everything back the way it should be, now that the war was over.
“If there’s anythin’ ye need,” Hunter said, addressing Grace, “ask the maids. They’ll tend to ye.”
He dipped his head in a cursory farewell and followed his brother out of the hall, not quite understanding why everyone seemed to think that was strange. Surely, the ladies would be more comfortable without him accompanying them, and the sooner Grace got to know Ellie, the better.
He would only disturb that rapport, considering the little girl was afraid of him—so afraid that she’d hidden behind a curtain, rather than dine with her own father.
It’ll be better this way.
He let the thought solidify until there was no doubt left in his mind. The girl needed a mother, not a father who didn’t have the faintest clue how to be one.
6
“Elspeth, come on out of there,” one of the maids instructed sternly, waving a hand at the little girl behind the drapes. “Ye’resupposedto be in yer room.”
Grace, whose gaze had unconsciously followed her potential husband out of the hall, turned her attention back to the child.
Elspeth. Her name is Elspeth.
And her father had just left her behind without so much as a farewell.
The child retreated further behind the drape, her blue eyes—a shade darker than her father’s—wide in obvious discomfort. And though it was subtle, Grace noticed the faint shake of the girl’s head; she didn’t wantto go to the maid.
“Elspeth?” Grace said, approaching slowly like she might a startled rabbit. “What would you say about joining me and my friends on an adventure? You see, Lilian here is a little bit nervous about being in this castle, and I know she’d feel better if she had a champion of hiding with us. Perhaps you could tell her all the best spots if she gets too scared.”
The child frowned but didn’t retreat any further.
“You could lead the way,” Grace continued with a warm smile, before crouching down and holding out her hand. “Show us all of your favorite places. And when we get to Maddie’sroom, I’m certain she will show you her collection of butterflies and beetles, if you like?”
Maddie took her cue, though she wasn’t too fond of children. “Perhaps, when we explore the gardens, you could help me search for more? I only study those that are already… um… well, that are… uh…”
“Dead?” the child offered, so bluntly that Grace had to swallow down a snort.
“Yes, precisely. I never pin the living,” Maddie replied with a pleased smirk, as if she already had a soft spot for this particular child.
How does she know that word?
Grace’s amusement ebbed, realizing the peculiarity of it. The girl couldn’t have been more than five years old, and apparently didn’t speak much at all, yet she knew that word: dead.
Keeping up her encouraging smiles, Grace pointed back at Lilian. “And Lilian has the most extensive collection of ribbons you have ever seen. Would you want to help her sort through them? Oh, and she is an excellent artist! She would draw something for you if you asked very nicely. She can draw just about anything.”
