Lydia finished her first half of sandwich in silence, aware and glad of Kelpie's presence on her left. So far, Raven had not returned with wine. Lydia poured herself another glass of lemonade, slowly. Listening to the healthy sloshing of liquid against the glass, she pictured the brook by her house in Scotland, the quiet of her days there. Crickets and a few toads sang in harmony outside. Setting the pitcher down, Lydia turned to the napkin and began folding it into a triangle.
Beside her, Kelpie chuckled and draped his larger hand over hers, tugging the cloth free. He set it on the tray away from Lydia before settling the other on the top of her head and murmuring, "There will be dark circles under your eyes, lass."
In spite of herself, a smile came over Lydia's face. "And then, I'll terrify the brownies into thinking some strange witch lady put a curse on me." Her smile grew as Kelpie began ruffling her hair, pushing her head back and forth. "You haven't called me "lass" the entire time here." She had forgotten how much that nickname in his voice cheered her up.
Kelpie scoffed under his breath. "Well, I couldn't give away my best move to every idiotic man around you, "he continued to groom her hair with his hand, "especially not to that flippant earl. Besides, it wouldn't stay special if I used it every time."
Lydia beamed and leaned her head against his shoulder. "I always know I can count on it being genuine from you." Her voice dropped. "Sometimes, I wish I could go back to that simplicity, even with..." Her hand clenched over her skirt.
Kelpie let his hand fall to her shoulder and pulled her gently against him. "If you do, I could always make it happen."
Lydia's eye fluttered as she tried to push away her exhaustion. "You mean, by kidnapping me in my dreams? That was quite the underhanded way... to play the hero."
"I think I prefer that to you being in danger."
"I can't-"
"I know," Kelpie sighed. "Lydia, lass, you are practically falling asleep in my lap. Are you sure you don't want to marry me?"
"What- What?" Lydia pushed herself up and off Kelpie, bonking her table and blinking away her fatigue, blushing furiously. "I don't want to marry you. I already gave you a bargain."
Kelpie caught the falling glass. "I know. Here, take a drink. Are you going to eat the other half?"
"What- Oh. No, I'm not. Go ahead and take the meat. It will make me feel less bad about wasting Edgar's food."
Kelpie folded napkin back and fished the roast beef out of the bread, setting that back on the tray. "You," he peeled a slice away from the slices and gulped it down, "can waste as much of his food and money as you want." He ate another one. "I don't really care."
"I know you don't, Kelpie." Chuckling, Lydia took a light drink from her glass. "That doesn't mean I don't."
"Too bad for that." Kelpie leaned back and swallowed the rest of the meat. "It would lighten his gilded pocket. By the way, Lyida," he said, turning back to her, "I told you to not spend too much time working. You and I both know that the information wouldn't have gone anywhere if you spread the writing out. You have far too good a memory."
Lydia laughed and sliced off a portion of dessert, cheesecake with blueberries. "You caught me." Her fork dragged on the china. "It was an excuse to get away."
"I thought as much. Was it my-"
"No," Lydia rushed in, "it wasn't Annette." She lowered her eyes. "It wasn't that. Kelpie, am I-"
With a loud groan, Kelpie stood up from the sofa, stretching to his full height. "Ask me that question and I'll ask mine after you have had time to rest and clear your mind."
"What question did you have?"
"I'll tell you later, lass." He grinned as the small smile rose on Lydia's lips and stole over her beautiful meadow green eyes. "Sweet dreams, Lydia."
She set her fork down and rose as well. "Enjoy your night, sea raider."
Kelpie smirked and saluted her before pushing her window open. He vaulted down into the yards.
Leaving the window open, Lydia sat down and began to eat dessert.
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Leave comments please.
Another Edgar and Kelpie duel next chapter~ I wonder, will Kelpie lose again? ~hint hint~
