Page 30 of The Laird's Secret Bairn

Kenna smiled again but then waved a hand, dismissing the moment, and tapped the quill against her chin. “Where shouldwe hide the first clue? I have an idea, but I would like to hear what ye have to say first. Ye’re the one who came up with it in the first place.”

“The kitchens, I think.” Skye rose too, drawn into it now, pacing a slow circle as ideas came faster than she could speak them. “She and I raided them together yesterday. She’ll ken to look there first.”

Lily had laughed so loudly yesterday. Even when her father discovered them, the smile never left the little girl’s face. She was such a happy child, despite her seclusion.

Dougal had done his absolute best; that much was clear to Skye. He might have reasons beyond Lily not being his blood. And even if she never learned them, she understood being a shy child well enough.

Kenna laughed softly. “Aye, I was thinking of the kitchen meself. Lily is always sneaking in there to grab some sweets. She thinks her faither and I daenae notice, but we do. The wee lass isnae as subtle as she thinks!”

Skye giggled. “I think all children are like that at some point or another.”

“Aye,” Kenna responded, a twinkle in her eyes.

“Where should we go from the kitchen, Lady Kenna?”

“Hmmm, from the kitchens to…” Kenna’s eyes lit up. “The stables. She loves the stables. If she isnae spending her time in the kitchen, then she is in the stables, tending to the horses. She has names for all of them.”

“And from the stables to the garden, and from the garden to?—”

“The old tower stairs,” Kenna finished, delighted. “Nobody’s climbed them in an age, but they are safe enough, and she’ll feel like a proper explorer for it. It will give her a chance to see some more of the castle. Dougal cannae protest because she is still on the grounds.”

Skye laughed, the tightness in her chest from the morning’s argument easing for the first time all day. She snatched up a second quill before Kenna could stop her, already scribbling.

“We’ll need rhymes,” she murmured. “Clues, proper ones, not just directions. I want to make this a memorable day for her.”

“Then we’d better start writing, lass.” Kenna handed her a fresh sheet of parchment, her eyes bright. “Before ye lose yer nerve and yer wit both.”

Skye flushed. “Are ye nae going to help?”

“Ye are the writer, are ye nae?” Kenna asked slyly.

“Aye, but ye ken this castle better than I do.” Skye tapped the quill against her chin. “I couldnae tell ye where a barrel of applesmight be hidden, or which door sticks and which swings open easily. I need yer help with that much, at least.”

Kenna laughed, settling back into her chair. She seemed very pleased with herself. “Very well. I’ll give ye the bones of it, and ye can dress them up however ye like with yer clever rhymes.”

“That’s all I ask.”

“The kitchens, then.” Kenna held up a finger. “Tell her to look where the bread rises warm, tucked behind the flour sacks. Cook willnae mind, so long as we warn her first.”

Skye scribbled quickly, muttering the words under her breath as she shaped them into something with a proper rhythm. “Where the bread rises warm and the flour dust flies, seek behind the sacks for yer prize.”

“That’s fine, lass. Truly.” Kenna looked almost startled by how quickly it had come together. “Ye’ve a gift for this.”

“I’ve had practice.” Skye’s mouth curved, a little rueful. “Freya and I used to leave each other notes around the castle—foolish things, but it kept us entertained on rainy days.”

“Sounds like ye were close.”

“We still are.” Skye’s smile softened, something wistful creeping in. “I miss her, if I’m being honest. Even after only a few days away.”

Kenna reached over and patted her hand, the gesture warm and unhurried. “Ye’ll see her again soon enough. And in the meantime, ye’ve got Lily to fuss over. That’s nae such a poor trade.”

“Nay,” Skye agreed. “It isnae.”

“Now.” Kenna nodded toward the parchment. “The stables next. Tell her to look where her faither’s horse takes his rest, beneath the hook where the old bridle hangs.”

Skye scribbled again, already smiling at the thought of Lily’s face when she found each clue.

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