Page 28 of Highlander's Captive Bride
Within a few minutes, a decisive knock sounded at the door.
“Enter,” he said, putting down his quill and leaning back in his chair, anticipation tightening in his belly as she stepped into the room.
She looked across at him as she shut the door behind her, then stepped forward and stood in the middle of the Turkey carpet, her hands clasped at her waist.
Immediately, Bellamy felt the now-familiar tension crackling in the air between them.
“Ye wished to see me,” she stated simply.
The tone of her voice and the inquiring tilt of her head seemed to infer a certain warmth in her demeanor that had not been there before. For some unaccountable reason, it pleased him.
“Aye. Come. Sit,” he told her, gesturing to one of the chairs in front of the desk.
“Thank ye.” She came over and, choosing a comfortable armchair, sat down in it, spreading her skirts around her neatly and folding her hands in her lap before looking over at him.
It was impossible for him to tell from her neutral expression what she was thinking, but he could not help but notice how lovely she looked in a plain, ochre-colored dress with a cinched waist that showed off her neat figure.
He caught himself staring at her, his mind starting to wander where it should not, so he mentally shook himself.
“What did ye want to see me about?” Daisy asked.
“Elodie’s condition and how near ye are to finding a cure, of course.” Bellamy leaned on the desk and steepled his fingers beneath his chin.
She thought for a moment before replying, “Well, I havenae found either the cause or a cure yet if that’s what ye mean. But I would say she’s been more cheerful lately than I’ve ever seen her. That helps because her improved mood means she’s more resilient to the attacks.”
“Oh? And how d’ye account for that?”
“Is it nae obvious?” she returned pertly.
“If it were, I wouldnae be asking, would I?”
“I think ye ken very well that ’tis because ye’ve been spending more time with her.”
“Ah!” Bellamy responded, detecting a warmer timbre in her tone. “That.”
“Aye, that,” she echoed with a small nod.
“I suppose ye must be feeling pretty pleased with yerself, thinking that I’ve taken yer… advice.”
“I’m pretty pleased that Elodie is much happier,” Daisy returned evenly, but he was sure he saw her lips twitch. “As I say, it’ll help her fight whatever ails her.”
He nodded. “But still, ye dinnae have a diagnosis for me?”
It was her turn to shake her head, and Bellamy watched with fascination as a flurry of emotions crossed her beautiful features. There was no doubt in his mind then that she truly cared for his daughter’s well-being and was annoyed with herself for having so far failed to pinpoint the problem.
Warmth spread through his chest at the realization.
“Nay,” Daisy said finally, a small line appearing between her brows. “I still need more time.”
“Ye have as much time as ye need, of course,” he told her. “I’m willing to be patient.” He noticed that the small line deepened for a moment, then vanished as she regarded him.
“Thank ye,” she replied. “I ken how worrying it must be for ye, as a faither, seeing her suffering so. But I promise ye, I willnae give up until I find the answer, however long it takes me.”
“I ken it, and I’m grateful,” Bellamy said, meaning every word.
“It’s so frustrating,” Daisy suddenly burst out, her fingers working nervously in her lap. “’Tis like trying to put together a puzzle without having all the pieces, only ye dinnae ken which ones are missing. Every day, I feel I just need a few more clues to find the answer.”
It was the first time Bellamy had seen her reveal what he believed were genuine emotions about it all, and it moved him, his heart warming further to her. Despite the tension between them, he sensed that the animosity that usually accompanied it had dissipated for the moment. They were actually talking, like two reasonable people having a proper conversation.
