Page 29 of Claimed By the Heartless Highlander
Duncan grabbed his brother’s tunic in fury, cutting him off. “I dinnae ken aught save that I dinnae see me daughter where I left her, nor any sign of the two I left her with!”
If aught has happened to Lily, if Ailis or the guard had any part in her bein’ lost, taken, or injured, there’ll be nay one left standin’ by the time I’m done with them.
He released Jack before he could do something foolish, like harm him, and turned to snarl at the guard who’d approached him moments before. “Where’s me daughter and me betrothed? And where’s the guard who is supposed to be on watch here?”
The guard paled in the face of his obvious wrath, but he was a warrior of Clan Muir. He answered before Duncan could lose his patience and start hunting his wayward young child.
“Beggin’ yer pardon, Me Laird, but yer betrothed insisted on takin’ the little lass down to the shore, to play in the water. She said ye’d given her every freedom, and she wished to visit the ocean. Connor went with them, to guard them and assist the lady with watching over Lily.”
“What?”
“They’re on the shore, Me Laird. Connor’s with the lasses, and there are two watchin’ them from the wall at all times.” The guard’s face was distressed. “We’d never let the little lass be in any danger, Me Laird. Ye ken that.”
For one second, Duncan couldn’t move—he was so startled. On the one hand, he was relieved to know where his daughter and Ailis were, and that they were apparently in little danger. The shore was visible from the walls, and if there was trouble, the guards on watch could sound the alarm easily enough.
On the other hand, he was furious. He’d given orders that his daughter never leave the walls of the castle. He’d always feared what might happen, and now…
Now it was more dangerous than ever, and Ailis had chosen to take his daughter out of the safety of her home for some foolish expedition to the beach. Worse, she had deliberately twisted his generosity to get her way.
He’d told her, just last night, that his daughter was not her concern, nor anything she should involve herself with. He’d tried to relent some this morning, to acknowledge the truth she’d spoken to him in their argument.
Now he was regretting that. It was obvious he needed to make it clear that any interference in raising Lily was not permitted.
He turned on his heel and strode to the gate, opening it with a bang as he passed through it.
First, he would make sure his daughter and his betrothed were safe. Then he would make sure that Ailis knew and understood his rules. And understood that, whatever freedom she might have as his betrothed or his wife, he was not to be defied on this. Ever.
CHAPTER12
The airoutside the castle walls was crisp and clear with the scent of growing things and the salt of the sea. Ailis kicked off her shoes and then helped Lily do the same so they could run barefoot down the path toward the ocean.
She might not have done so, had the path been overgrown, but it was well-maintained, most likely by servants who would use it in the warmer months for relaxation and collecting fish or other delicacies from among the rocks.
Hand in hand, she and Lily raced for the siren call of the sea, though she took care never to outpace the guard jogging close behind them. It was difficult to imagine that they might be in danger, as isolated as the castle seemed, but there was a chance they might encounter animals or bandits. She had no wish to see Lily in any danger.
They reached the rocky shore without incident, and Lily immediately made straight for the water. Before Ailis could offer her more than a quick word of caution, the child had splashed into the waves.
Seconds later, she darted back, her eyes wide. “’Tis cold! And salty!”
“Aye. That’s the ocean for ye.” Ailis set their shoes aside and stepped forward cautiously, flinching a little as the frigid waves lapped at her toes. “It will warm in the summer months, but for now, ‘tis still chilly from winter. ‘Tis important to go slowly when ye’re playin’ in the waves.” She guided Lily over the stones. “I ken ye like to run, little one, but ye need to be careful. Ye dinnae want to slip and fall into the water entirely.”
Lily shivered. “Cold.”
“Aye. Ye’d be fairly frozen, and we’d have to hang ye out like a fresh set of linen to warm ye up and dry ye out.”
As she’d hoped, the child giggled at the image.
“Can we still play in the water?”
“For now, we can play in the shallow part of it.” Ailis moved close enough for the waves to lap at her bare feet. Lily followed suit, giggling and dancing in place as the cold water tickled her toes. “And there’s a lot to do here on the shore while we wait for the water to warm.”
“Like what?”
“Well, there are shells to be hunted.” Ailis showed Lily a pretty spiral shell she’d found, another with delicate stripes. “We can collect these to make jewelry with, or decorate other things.”
She moved a little further along. “We can also hunt mollusks and other sea-side creatures to eat. Though we cannae gather them, as we’ve nay baskets. We can still see where they’re hidin’, so cook or the others can help us collect them later, for a sea stew.”
“I like sea stew.” Lily smiled.
