Page 25 of The Wolf Laird's Obsession
Sorcha tilted her head, eyebrows drawn together. “What do ye mean?”
“He’s a laird, me Lady,” Flora stated, wiping her hands on a cloth. “And I doubt very much ye’re the first woman he’s ever seen without a dress.”
Sorcha blushed despite herself. But then her mind wandered somewhere else entirely.
Flora noticed the change in her demeanor immediately. “What?”
Sorcha bit her lip, looking down at her lap. She wasn’t sure if she should say this to anyone.
She’ll find out, eventually. It’s nae like it is a secret… I think.
“He was married before.”
Flora’s eyes widened, her hand going straight to her mouth as she gasped. “What?”
Sorcha nodded slowly, looking back up at her. “I daenae ken to who, only that she passed away.”
“Passed away? How?”
“Givin’ birth to their daughter.”
Flora’s jaw nearly touched the floor. Then closed. Then opened again. “D-d-daughter?” she stammered.
“Aye.”
Flora stared at her as though she had just announced pigs could fly.
“Her name is Elspeth.”
“How old?”
“Five. Perhaps six.”
Flora leaned against the table, stunned. “I cannae believe it,” she murmured. “The North Wolf raisin’ a daughter by himself.” She shook her head, her eyes drifting as if trying to picture it. “That does change how I see him. But just a wee bit.”
Sorcha allowed a small smile to touch her lips.
Me too.
Flora straightened, shaking her head as if to shake off the surprise. “Well, if we continue gabbin’, ye willnae be ready when yer husband arrives.”
Sorcha groaned. “Must ye remind me?”
Flora laughed, moving toward the trunk again. She pulled out a folded white shift, holding it up for inspection. It was madeof fine linen but unadorned. Despite its simplicity, the fabric caught the light in a way that made it seem luminous.
“This will do nicely,” she declared.
Sorcha stared at it, a flutter starting in her stomach. The room suddenly felt hot, too hot.
This is really happenin’.
Flora motioned for her to stand up. She helped take off her dress and replaced it with the white shift. When she crouched briefly to adjust the hem, her hands stilled.
Sorcha noticed immediately.
“What is it?”
Flora gently turned her leg toward the firelight, revealing faint purple bruises across her knee.
