Page 19 of The Wolf Laird's Obsession
She slowly reached out to Elspeth. “Well, perhaps we can start with being friends.”
Elspeth studied her hand for a long moment. Then she raised hers and took it. “That could work,” she said thoughtfully.
Sorcha smiled, nodding toward the turtle. “And who might yer friend be?”
Elspeth brightened instantly. “This is Mr. Turtle,” she said proudly, holding him out to Sorcha.
Mr. Turtle did not come out, his beady eyes watching her from inside his shell.
“Well then,” Sorcha said, patting his shell lightly. “It’s very nice to meet ye, Mr. Turtle.”
Elspeth giggled, clearly pleased with the introduction.
“Does yer da ken ye’re here?” Sorcha asked.
Elspeth’s giggles stopped immediately, and she looked down at the floor. “Nay.”
“Does anyone ken ye’re here?”
“Nay.”
Sorcha hesitated, considering sending the girl back to her room. But the thought of Elspeth wandering the keep by herself did not sit well with her.
“Lady Elspeth,” she said teasingly, standing up straight. “Perhaps we should see ye back to yer chambers before anyone notices ye’ve escaped.”
She walked to the door, Elspeth giggling after her. She expected the girl to simply follow. Instead, Elspeth slipped her small hand into hers.
Sorcha paused. Elspeth’s fingers curled confidently around hers, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
That simple act of trust tugged unexpectedly at her heart.
She barely kens me, and yet she trusts me already.
Elspeth swung their joined hands as she stepped closer. “Morag says I’m nae supposed to wander alone,” she admitted.
Sorcha laughed. “Aye, I imagine she does.” She gave Elspeth’s hand a gentle squeeze. “We’ll make sure ye find yer way back before she notices.”
They had barely taken a few steps when the door suddenly opened.
Morag stepped inside, her eyes landing on their joined hands at once. She exhaled slowly.
“Here ye are,” she said, folding her arms. “I’ve been all over the keep, lookin’ for ye!”
Elspeth smiled guiltily at her. “I was only sayin’ hello.”
Morag shook her head, looking at Sorcha. “Me Lady, this is Lady Elspeth MacLaren, the Laird’s daughter.”
“I already introduced meself,” Elspeth declared proudly.
Morag huffed a small laugh, turning back to her. “Aye, I’m sure ye did. Come along now, wee one.”
Sorcha felt Elspeth hesitate before releasing her hand.
Morag stepped close to Sorcha, lowering her voice to a whisper. “She’s been waitin’ for this moment. Her ma died bringin’ her into this world. Poor thing has been alone for far too long.”
Sorcha looked at Elspeth, who was waiting for Morag by the door, her grey eyes narrowed suspiciously at them.
“I’ve never seen her so determined,” Morag added. She straightened, before walking to Elspeth and taking her hand. “Good evenin’, me Lady.”
