Page 96 of The Laird who Craved her

Claire paused outside the solar where the others had gathered. She could hear Leo's laughter before she even reached the doorway.

"...and if Douglas insists on beating me at chess one more time," Leo was saying, his voice carrying easily into the hall, "I'll begin to suspect he's cheating."

Douglas didn't even look up from the board. "Ye've accused me of cheating every game."

"Because ye keep winning."

"Perhaps ye're simply terrible."

Leo gasped dramatically. "I've never been so insulted in all me life."

Finn's quiet chuckle reached Claire just before she stepped inside. The room was incredibly warm, the fire crackling gently in the hearth despite the mild evening air. Violet sat near one of the tall windows with her embroidery, while Beatrice sorted herbs she had gathered that morning. Molly occupied a chair beside her, helping separate the fresh sprigs into neat little bundles.

Finn leaned against the heavy oak table with Douglas, studying one of the large maps spread before them. At the sound of the door opening, every head turned.

Finn looked up first, and his expression softened almost immediately. "There ye are."

Claire smiled warmly. "I hope I'm nae interrupting."

"Nay," Violet said with a welcoming smile. "Come in."

Claire crossed the room, though she moved more slowly than she would have liked. Her strength had returned, but not entirely, and she still found herself tiring sooner than she caredto admit. Finn noticed her fatigue instantly. He always noticed. Without a single word, he pulled out the chair nearest him.

She looked at him with amused affection. "I can still stand."

"I ken. But ye've been on yer feet all afternoon," he added softly.

She gave him a playful look before accepting the seat anyway. "Ye're becoming terribly overprotective."

Douglas snorted loudly from his place at the chessboard. "Becoming?"

A ripple of laughter moved through the room, and even Finn looked faintly guilty. "I've been told that already," he muttered.

"By nearly everyone," Molly added from the corner.

Claire reached for his hand beneath the edge of the table and gave it a quick, reassuring squeeze. "I daenae mind."

His fingers curled gently around hers before he reluctantly let go. She glanced around the room, suddenly aware that everyone seemed unusually content. It felt entirely normal. She hadn't realized how dearly she'd missed these ordinary moments.

She cleared her throat softly. "There was something I wished to ask."

Finn turned toward her fully. "Aye?"

The attention of the entire room followed his. Claire suddenly found herself smoothing an invisible crease in her skirt. "It may sound rather foolish."

Leo grinned broadly. "Oh, then ye're among friends."

Beatrice nudged him sharply with her elbow. "Hush."

Claire laughed softly before continuing. "I was wondering if I might take the girls riding down to the river before sunset."

There was a heartbeat of silence. Then Violet's face lit with immediate understanding. "The blessing."

Beside her, Beatrice smiled just as knowingly. "I wondered if ye would ask."

Leo looked from one woman to the other in absolute confusion. "The blessing?" He frowned deeply. "What blessing?"

"The old bridal blessing," Violet explained patiently. "The one by the river."