Chapter 5 #2
From the battlements, James stood half-shadowed against the stone, his gaze fixed below on the gardens. Eloise moved among the rows beside Mairi and Ewan, her skirts gathered as she knelt in the soil, laughter rising from her, unguarded and free.
It struck him harder than her defiance ever had, that sound, light, unburdened, untouched by the tension she carried within his hall.
“So that’s who ye are when ye forget yerself,” he muttered under his breath.
She glanced up suddenly, as if sensing his watch, and their eyes met across the distance. For a brief moment, neither moved, the air between them taut. Then he turned sharply away, leaving the wall as though the sight had burned him.
Eloise entered James’ study wrapped in a cloak, her expression sharp with irritation and sleep still clinging faintly to her features.
“What is the meanin’ of this? Ye summon me before dawn?” she demanded.
James did not move from where he stood near the table, maps spread before him. “Ye’ll put on somethin’ warmer and more practical,” he said.
She crossed her arms. “And why would I do that?” she pressed.
“Because I told ye to, and ye’ll meet me in the courtyard when ye’re done.”
Eloise stared at him for a moment, “Ye’ve a fondness for commandin’ folk about at ungodly hours,” she muttered.
“And ye’ve a fondness for questionin’ everythin',” he replied without missing a beat.
Her eyes narrowed, but she turned on her heel regardless. “Very well, me Laird,” she said over her shoulder, her tone laced with annoyance. “But if I freeze to death, I’ll haunt ye for it.”
He said nothing, though the faintest hint of amusement touched his expression as she left.
He left his study to wait for her in the courtyard.
Eloise approached in a wool daydress beneath her cloak, gloves pulled tight over her hands, though her expression remained no less guarded. “Now will ye tell me what madness this is?” she asked, stepping toward him.
James gave her a brief glance, then turned toward the open gate. “We’re goin’ beyond the walls,” he said simply.
She blinked at that. “We’re what?”
He did not slow, only added, “Keep up.”
The forest closed around them soon after, the ground uneven beneath their feet as James led her deeper without pause. “Watch where ye step,” he said, glancing back briefly. “The land will trip ye faster than any man.”
Eloise huffed, catching herself on a low branch. “I can walk well enough without yer words,” she snapped.
He stopped abruptly, turning to face her. “Aye? Then tell me what ye see.”
She frowned, glancing around. “Trees,” she said flatly.
His expression darkened slightly. “Then ye’ll nae last a day out here if that’s all ye notice. This is why I have brought ye to the forest. There is much distraction in the woods. It takes a keen eye to make yer way through it.”
He moved again, gesturing toward the ground. “Tracks,” he said, pointing to faint impressions in the soil. “Deer, passin’ through not long ago.”
Eloise stepped closer, squinting slightly.
“If ye cannae read the ground, ye’ll starve before ye find food.”
She straightened, irritation flaring. “I didnae ask for a lesson in huntin’,” she said.
“Nay,” he replied, “but ye’ll take it all the same.”
They moved on, James pausing to point out a hidden snare tucked near a cluster of brush. “That would’ve caught ye by the ankle,” he said.
Eloise crouched beside it, examining it with growing interest. “Clever,” she murmured.
“And necessary,” he said.
She glanced up at him, her expression thoughtful. “And ye think I need to ken this why?”
He met her gaze evenly. “Because I want ye to and that is enough.”
Next, he showed her how to test the wind, lifting a handful of dirt and letting it fall. “It tells ye where it blows,” he said.
Eloise mimicked the motion, though less gracefully. “Or it tells me I’ve dirt on me hands,” she replied dryly.
He gave her a sharp look. “Mock it if ye like, but it could save yer life.”
She tilted her head slightly. “Ye’ve an answer for everythin', do ye no?”
“Aye,” he said simply, “because I’ve had to.”
By the time he placed a knife in her hand, her patience had thinned considerably.
“Throw it,” he instructed, nodding toward a marked tree.
Eloise hesitated, then did as told, the blade spinning wildly before striking the ground.
He stepped closer. Eloise felt him move behind her. A warmth wrapped around her as his chest brushed against her back briefly. He raised his arms around her.
“What are ye doing?” she whispered.
“Showing ye how to hold the knife,” he said.
She watched as he placed his large hands on top of hers. She breathed in.
“Hold it like this,” he said. His words were gentle in her ear. She could feel his breath on her neck.
“That’s it. Ye have it now,” he said.
“Aye, I think I do,” Eloise said, though her words were spoken with a slight tremble that made her blush.
“Good. Try again,” he said firmly. He stepped back away from her. Eloise could feel his warmth leave.
She took aim and threw it. This time, the knife struck the trunk, though off-center.
Eloise exhaled sharply, frustration evident, yet a flicker of satisfaction crossed her face.
“Better,” he said, stepping back.
She glanced at him, surprised. “Was that praise?” she asked.
“Daenae grow used to it,” he replied.
She huffed, though a faint smile tugged at her lips despite herself.
The light was fading when James finally called a halt, though Eloise still stood ready, breath unsteady but her stance unbroken.
“That’s enough,” he said, lowering his arm, though his gaze lingered on her with something closer to curiosity than command.
She shook her head, adjusting her grip on the knife. “Nae yet,” she replied, her voice strained but resolute.
“Where did ye learn all of this? It is clear to me this is nae yer first time doing such things.” he asked.
She hesitated, then answered, “Me father saw to it I wasnae helpless, sword, knife, axe… all of it. He had nay sons so he treated me as one when I was young.”
James’s brow furrowed slightly. “That’s nae common for a lass,” he said.
“I wasnae raised to be common,” she returned, lifting her chin.
He let out a slow breath, nodding once.
“Aye… I see that now.” He said.
Then a shout echoed faintly from the direction of the castle, sharp and urgent, and James’s head snapped toward it, his expression hardening at once.
“What is it?” she asked.
“A messenger has arrived. Let's return at once,” he said.