Page 27 of Claimed By the Heartless Highlander
It took every bit of willpower Ailis possessed to not flinch in shock. “Ye’ve never been to the seashore? Or gone to pick berries in the spring and summer?”
“Nay. Faither says maybe when I’m older.” The child’s voice was quiet and sad.
Ailis and her sisters had gone berry-picking and swimming in the loch as soon as they were old enough to dress themselves. They hadn’t been allowed to go out alone until they were much older, but she recalled such journeys in her father’s company when she was Lily’s age.
Duncan was a stern man, there was no question in her mind on that matter. But to never let his daughter go beyond the walls of the castle? To raise a child who’d never been to the ocean, even though she could see, hear, and smell it from her windows? Who’d never had a chance to eat berries fresh off the bush?
It was obvious to her that Lily was unhappy with being confined so much. She was obviously lonely, lacking the presence of playmates her own age, and old enough to want to explore the world around her. It seemed almost cruel to raise a young child that way, and it made no sense.
It was as if he was raising his daughter as a prisoner, and it made Ailis wonder if he was truly planning to keep his word. He was clearly protective of Lily, and she had no doubt he loved his daughter. If he was so controlling with her, how would he be with Ailis herself?
The idea that she might be a prisoner forever made her throat tighten. So did the idea of a child who’d never learned to swim in the sea. Ailis squared her shoulders in determination. Duncan could be as angry as he liked, but as long as Ailis was in Lily’s life, she’d see to it that the youngster had every opportunity to experience all the joys of childhood.
She smiled at Lily. “Well, I ken yer faither’s very busy and doesnae want ye to go without an adult who can watch over ye and help ye if ye get into trouble, but I’m here now.”
Lily’s eyes brightened at once, melancholy transforming to hopeful delight. “Ye mean…”
“I ken we cannae be outside for long, but I think we can manage a short trip to the seashore, as long as we take some of the guards with us.”
Together, she and Lily descended the stairs once again. Ailis wasted no time hurrying over to the guard who’d been watching over them while they played with the puppies. “I’d like ye to accompany us down to the seashore if ye would. Or else call someone else who is able to do so.”
The guard twitched. “Me Lady… the Laird…”
“The Laird is me betrothed, and soon to be me husband, and it was part of our agreement that I would have every freedom.” She stared at the man sternly. “Neither of us has been to the sea, and so I’ve offered to take the child.”
“But… ‘tis dangerous…”
“If ye’re worried about the water, I ken quite well how to swim, and how to keep a child safe in the waves. I taught me two younger sisters to swim when we were bairns. And if there’s aught else ye’re worried about, ‘tis the reason I asked for a guard to accompany me.”
“The Laird…”
Lily spoke up then, her eyes wide and pleading, her lip extended in a pout that even Ailis would have trouble refusing, despite raising Grace and being inured to such tactics. “Please, Connor? Ye ken I’ve been wantin’ to go to the sea for a long time… and Faither and Uncle Jack are too busy to ask now.”
The pout deepened, matched by wide-eyed innocence that would have put the puppies to shame. “Please? I promise I’ll be good. I’ll do what Ailis tells me to. And I’ll even nae pester the cooks for a second dessert with supper, and do me lessons without complainin’. Promise. Please?”
Ailis smirked to herself as the guard gave in. “As ye will, little lass. But if yer faither isnae pleased, ye have to promise to be honest and tell him ye and Lady Ailis made the demand, do ye understand?”
“Aye!” Lily bounced on her toes in delight. “Promise, Connor!”
“Then let’s go, and mayhap we’ll get back afore yer lessons, and afore yer faither is done with his business.” Ailis nudged the girl toward a small gate.
As soon as Lily was out of earshot, she offered the guard a sympathetic look. “I ken I’m puttin’ ye in a difficult position, but I promise ye, I’ll make sure Laird Muir doesnae take ye to task for this.”
“Och, ye neednae trouble yerself.” The guard—Connor—shook his head. “’Tis a fact that none of us can refuse the lass for long, nae even her faither, and she’s been beggin’ to go to the sea for a while. ‘Tis a near miracle that her faither hasnae given in afore now.” His gaze roved over her appraisingly. “Ye’d nae be here if the Laird didnae trust ye somewhat, nor left her alone with ye. And he wouldnae marry just anyone. ‘Tis enough for me.”
He nodded his head toward Lily, who was waiting impatiently. “If we’re to get the lass to the sea to play in the water, best we go afore she runs off without us.”
As the two of them hurried to catch up with the youngling, Ailis felt a small, exasperated smile tugging at her lips. She couldn’t help but wonder what the guard would think if he’d known of the conversation last night, or her and Duncan’s first meeting.
She was far from sure that she had either Duncan’s heart or his trust, but that wouldn’t stop her from doing her best with what he had offered her.
* * *
Duncan waited until they were in his study before he turned to his brother. “What’s so important that ye couldnae wait and wouldnae speak of it in front of the lasses?”
Jack grimaced. “I wish I could have waited, but ye ken ye always told me to inform ye immediately regardin’ certain matters.”
“And?”
