Page 14 of The Highlander's Fake Wife
“Nay, none o’that.” She stood nervously behind the door, wrapping her other arm around her stack of books while visibly biting her lip. “After all, I should curtsy back to ye, shouldnae I? Being me braither’s bethrothed and all.”
“Och, nay, Flora,” Olivia insisted. “Ye daenae need to do any of that, either.” Her brow furrowed slightly; how many times had she said that in such a short span of time? Shaking her head, she moved to approach Flora, injecting as much warmth into her voice as she could manage. “The window–the glass is quite pretty."
Flora nodded, daring to slip a portion of her body out from behind the library’s door. “Aye, isnae it? ‘Twas ordered by me faither–stories of selkies are some of our Mam’s favorites.”
“Are they?”
Again, Flora nodded. “There’s a touch of a rumor–and old legend, about the beaches ‘round here. Some kin say ‘twas a prime meeting spot for selkies, what wit all the seals that tend to appear. Young MacDonnell lads would spend days out there intents, hoping to catch one changing so they could take her seal’s coat.”
“I assume all they caught were a cold and sandy trousers?” Olivia laughed.
A small flutter of giggles escaped Flora’s mouth; it was like listening to a mouse gently squeak inside a church steeple. “Aye, I suppose so!” The pair continued laughing between themselves, the laird’s sister looking a touch more relaxed than when Olivia had first met her.
“Ah–not to bother ye,” Olivia began. “But yer maither said ye might be willin’ to give me a tour ‘round the keep?”
“Oh…” Flora glanced at her armful of books with an almost longing stare.
“B-but, ‘tis alright if ye cannae!” Olivia added hastily. “I’m perfectly capable o’ exporling on me own, if yer busy!”
A beat passed between them, but eventually, Flora shook her head. “Nay; that wouldnae be very generous of me as yer hostess. Give me a moment to put these back, and I’ll be happy to give ye the tour.”
Olivia nodded, feeling somewhat guilty as the woman slipped back behind the doors. She certainly seemed to have preferred to spend her days within the cozy warmth of the library, and not parading a stranger about the blustery cold of the keep. Still,Olivia couldn’t help but feel somewhat relieved for the company. The laird could swear her safety all he wanted, but it felt better to be in the company of a high-ranking kinswoman. No one here would dare try anything under Flora’s watchful gaze.
She hoped, at any rate.
8
Having arrived in the keep at the dead of night, Olivia hadn’t the chance to truly take the sights properly. Much of the castle’s interior was decorated to reflect various treasures found along the shoreline. Driftwood had been carved as painting frames or simply left naturally to be displayed proudly, while tables and desks propped a number of beautiful seashells and sea glass.
Olivia passed by a pair of councilmen relaxing in front of a fireplace, a driftwood hnefatafl board between them and a set of pieces seemingly crafted from fishbones and glimmering scales. They offered her a nod, and she offered one back, still unable to determine if they trusted her fully yet.
Flora soon led her outside the castle’s entrance, the bright sun shimmering against the sandstone bricks of various storehouses and homes. Fellow kinsfolk were bustling about this time of day, carrying nets of freshly-caught fish or woven baskets overflowing in curiously-red seaweed.
The scent of smoke and salt filled the air as the hearths of homes smoked food for the colder months ahead, and fishnets filled with more of the sea’s treasures dangled above like banners one might use during festivals. A loud string of barking caught Olivia’s attention, and she was nearly knocked on her feet as a familiar deerhound sprinted around her, circling Flora with excited yips and barks.
“Aye, Maesie–I wouldnae forget to bring ye to the beach!” Flora beamed.
The newly formed trio made their way towards a stonework path sloping down the isle’s side, leading to the glimmering shores stretch out as far as Olivia could see. Flora immediately slipped off her shoes as Maesie took off across the sand, splashing through the shallows with ecstatic yipping. Not wanting to be the odd one out, Olivia hastily followed suit, the sand surprisingly soft and cool beneath her feet.
“It’s nice when it isnae too hot,” Flora said. “The sand tends to soak up the sun rather well.”
“I can imagine,” Olivia replied, wiggling her toes as she experienced the strange, new sensation. “So! Yer gonna show me how ye MacDonnell’s have fun ‘round here?”
Flora gave off a nervous smile, gesturing towards the shallows. “A-Aye! Just…try and see if ye can keep up!”
A challenge. Olivia’s grin widened, her competitive streak stoking a fire in her belly. She trailed after Flora as the laird’ssister kicked her bare feet through the shallows, spraying ocean water across the sky in a dazzling display. Olivia followed suit, a surprised yelp escaping her lips at the sudden frigidity. She gave an experimental swish with her foot, gasping as her spray dotted along Flora’s lower dress.
“Och! Sorry, Flora, I didnae–!” Another gasp as a shower of cold water flew Olivia’s way, hands raising to try and block it from her face.
“Yer gonna play dirty like that, an’ I’m bound to respond in fair!” Flora taunted, the deerhound barking and snapping in the air to try and grab the droplets.
“Aye, ye wee tricky pixie!” Olivia puffed out her cheeks, bending over to catch a palmful of water. “This means war!”
Flora let out a playful shriek, darting away before Olivia could throw the water her way. She raced after the laird’s daughter, abandoning the weight of the world on the wet ground behind her, and cackled like an absolute maniac. Maesie kept pace easily with the two, occasionally weaving quickly in-between their legs and nearly sending the pair falling into the water.
“Truce, truce!” Flora laughed, Maesie hopping around her enthusiastically.
Olivia pulled her foot back, squinting dramatically Flora’s way. “Aye?”
