‘Oh?’ I did not ask why. Flidais had got into the habit of talking to me, in private, as if I were her friend and equal. I had to remind myself from time to time that she would one day be queen of Dalriada, and that the affairs of her household were not for me to enquire about. Unless, of course, the query related to someone’s state of health, which just possibly this one did. Oran and Flidais had chosen not to have a court physician living at Winterfalls. Most folk of royal lineage would not dream of relying on the services of their local wise woman. They placed a great deal of trust in me.

‘Cara’s very withdrawn,’ Flidais said. ‘She doesn’t speak; or, at least, she can manage a word or two, please or thank you, but that’s all. Oran tells me her father believes she can talk if she wants to and she’s being wilful. But we’ve seen little sign of that.’

‘How old is this girl?’

‘Fifteen. All knees and elbows. As the family is so well connected, and their holding so prosperous, there will doubtless be suitors before long. I can’t imagine how Cara will deal with that. She often seems . . . not quite present. When we’re working on our sewing or spinning, she sits gazing out the window as if the rest of us don’t exist.’

‘Maybe she’s shy. Or homesick. Or both.’

‘Perhaps that’s all it is. The hurried way she was left here – that would upset any girl of her age. And her father asked that she not be allowed to ride back to Wolf Glen, even for a brief visit. I’m sure she’d rather not be here. But I did hope she would warm to us. It’s been ten or twelve days now since she arrived, and she’s still as edgy as a fox in a trap. None of my maids has managed to get close, and she won’t talk to me.’

I recalled how uncomfortable I had found my stay in this household. I had felt as out of place as a wrinkled walnut in a bowl of glossy cherries. There hadn’t been a moment when I’d been prepared to let my guard drop. It had been exhausting. ‘She may not be sure where she fits in.’

‘That’s why I thought Deirdre or one of my other handmaids might help. Deirdre’s father is chief lawman back at Cloud Hill. Mhairi’s father is a landholder of some note, but without the royal connections Cara’s father has. They’re young women of similar upbringing to Cara’s. But we’ve had no success there. It’s impossible to draw the girl out.’

‘Unusual,’ I said. ‘She’s at that age when most young women can’t stop chattering.’