Reed bowed. “I will be off then, milaird.” He walked halfway away from him before turning back. “I would kindly request a thing o’ ye. If ye choose to nae marry Sophia, I would forever be grateful if ye let me marry her.” With that, he turned his away and faded into the night.
Whatever lightness he had found in Reed's company had vanished with those words. He basked in the moonlight, his mind replaying his friend'swords.
* * *
Sophia pressed her back against the wall in the great hall, having barely moved since Kendrick had left. She couldn't tell if she had stood there hoping that he would return or if she had atrophy. Her toes wriggled in her slippers.
“Sophia!” she heard someone call. The name sounded faraway, odd.
“Sophia…” The voice was closer now, more like a song. A cold hand seized her by the shoulder, and then she felt herself shake.
She turned abruptly, and her sight fell on Lorena.
“Heavens, Sophia!” Lorena cried, releasing her sister with a sigh. “Ye look like a demon possessed ye.”
Sophia coughed, edging herself away. “Ye should stop yer grousing, Lorena. I can hear ye.”
Lorena looked her over, before mouthing, “Are ye alright, sister?”
“I am,” she assured. “Just a wee occupied in my thoughts.”
“Where is the Laird?” Lorena asked. “Dinnae tell me he left ye standing here alone!”
“Nae,” she lied. “He had to attend to some… other matter.”
Lorena placed her hands on her waist. “Are ye sure? I could have sworn I saw him walk out on ye—”
“Well, ye must have seen wrong.”
“We should join Father at the table,” Lorena suggested, and Sophia could hardly argue.
“Look! Sir Logan,” Lorena pointed out. “He was driving me mad with questions before I went to find ye. “The girls sat beside another landholder’s daughter. The girl rolled her eyes at Sophia before taking another serving of pork, dressed with onions and plums.
Logan, who had been sat beside their father, finally turned to Sophia.
“It is a pleasure to meet ye once again, Sophia,” he said to her with a wide grin, reaching for his goblet.
“The pleasure is all mine, Sir Logan.” Sophia returned his smile.
“Ye nae longer grace our keep with yer blossoming presence,” Logan continued. “I was wondering if we mayhap offended ye in some way.”
Sophia shifted on her seat. “Nae, Sir Logan—it is nae so. I have been… occupied with my studies. That is all.”
Logan leaned forward on the table. “Yer studying? Ye mean ye still learn all about herbs and other… growing things?”
“Yes, Sir Logan. An’ ‘tis all thanks to my father. He lets me venture out and explore.”
“If that is so, ye should visit whenever ye can. I am certain ye can assist the keep’s surgeons and healers in some such way.”
“I will be glad to do so,” Sophia thanked him.
He turned to Lorena, who grimaced. Suddenly, a manservant came rushing.
“Sir Logan,” he began, though he seemed to be pinching at his skin. “The Laird…” He pointed outside. “I am afraid the Laird….”
“What happened to the Laird?” Logan rose from his seat.
The footman hung his head low. “I could nae find him.”