Page 55 of A Fierce Archer

Every day, her mother looked worse. Pale and drawn, she did not look like the same woman from just a month earlier. Flora could barely look at her without crying and, yet, she managed to smile. “Come, Mother, ye can sit while I finish my work in the garden.”

“Of course, dear.” Her mother stood and wrapped a shawl around her narrow shoulders. Before she could try to lift Hamish, Flora took the toddler’s hand

Together, they walked slowly outside.

Her mother turned her face up to the sky. “I am so glad ye came for us. It is indeed a beautiful day. I will help ye.”

“Ye can sit and watch after Hamish. The rascal has become quite adept at escaping.”

“I can do both,” her mother insisted and, before long, they worked side-by-side. While Flora worried about her mother’s energy and how tiring the work would be, she also understood the need to feel useful and to make one’s way in repayment for kindness.

“I am not so unwell that ye have to constantly keep watch over me.” Her mother gave her a stern look. “It was my stomach. It pained me to eat for days. Until this morn. I feel so much better. Eileen suggested to boil a mixture of boiled herbs. Today, I ate without pain.”

The news made Flora smile. “I wish ye would have told me, Mother. Ye must continue to drink it.”

“There is already much for ye to worry about without adding my aches and pains to yer list,” her mother replied with a soft smile.

“Mother,” Flora began. “Ye never married after Father died. Why?”

After a moment, her mother replied, “I had ye and yer sister to look after. Besides, my parents were always there to help and give us what we needed. I didn’t feel a need for it.” She looked at Flora for a long moment. “Is there someone ye wish to marry?”

“Lady Fraser asked that I consider it. To one of the guardsmen.”

“Ah.” The corners of the ill woman’s lips lifted. “Ye are not averse to it, I presume.”

Her mother knew her well because, immediately, her cheeks heated, and she realize that it was true. Broden was handsome and his body was enticing. Not that she’d ever seen him bereft of clothing. But it was easy to imagine upon watching him in only a light tunic and breeches when sparring. The perspiration had caused his clothing to cling to every part of his powerful back, arms and legs.

“If ye are to marry again, I would be very happy for ye.”

Her heart swelled with love for the woman who’d stood by her through thick and thin. No matter if she married or not, Flora vowed to never be away from her mother. It was right that she take care of the woman who’d always been there for her.

“I miss Catriona,” Flora said. “Since I’m not sure what my duties are since she left, I feel a bit adrift.”

“Did Lady Fraser not say?”

Flora shook her head. “Now that I think about it, I should have asked for what my responsibilities would be. She did comment on how my hard work has not gone unnoticed.”

“That is good then.”

***

After noticing Lady Fraser and the widow, Flora, speaking, Broden noted that the women studied him for a long time. Whatever was said, he would find out. Flora had been a companion to Catriona. Perhaps with Catriona gone, Lady Ross was trying to find her a new position. Yes, that had to be it. One of Catriona’s duties had been to keep the guard’s clothing mended. Perhaps it was to be Flora’s job now.

The niggling feeling that something was afoot, however, did not abate. He scanned his surroundings, noting that the guards continued to spar. Those that were done, now stood talking while waiting for their breathing to slow.

Actually, it was good timing if it was mending the women spoke about, as he’d noticed several tears in most of his tunics. The one he currently wore was practically a rag hanging from his shoulders.

“Deep in thought about something?” Keithen approached and looked toward the house. “Hungry?”

“Aye, very much so. It is still a long while until last meal.”

Without having to discuss it, both knew that if they went to the kitchen, Eileen, the cook, would grumble but give them something to eat.

“What is to happen to Flora, the widow?” he asked Keithen. “I saw yer mother with her earlier. They were watching us.”

Keithen’s shoulder lifted and lowered. “I do not know. She will be kept on as we cannot very well turn away a widow and child.”

“Child?”