Page 52 of The Highlander's Auctioned Bride
Not for the first time, he wondered if he had underestimated his new wife.
CHAPTER 19
After they returnedfrom the waterfalls, Maisie reassured a very worried Jean that all was well and left the castle to walk about the gardens to clear her head.
She wandered through the orchard, amazed at how much had happened since her stumbling, panicked flight from the party just over a week ago.
This is where I first met James,she thought idly.
He was such an enigma.
She was still uncertain how he felt about her, despite all that they had shared. The fact that they hadstillnot shared a bed ate at her, but she had to press on with her duties and trust that it would happen in good time.
Besides, the day they had spent together was a pleasant one, for the most part. His dominance at the waterfall had beenarousing, as had his treatment of her. Coupled with their quiet discussion about the issues in his clan, she felt that he might be letting her through the walls he put up against the world.
She walked through the orchard and into the rose garden, surprised to see Lillian and Bram ahead of her. Bram seemed to be murmuring quietly to Lillian, almost scolding her—he did seem to have a fatherly way of admonishing the girl.
As soon as Bram saw her, he straightened, smiling and offering Maisie a shallow bow. Lillian turned and gave her a thin smile.
Bram left before she had a chance to reach them, and Maisie looked at Lillian in query, but the girl just smiled wanly up at her as though she did not have a care in the world.
“My apologies, m’lady,” Lillian said, her eyes skirting back to Bram as she continued. “I wished to speak with ye, but I wouldnae usually wander yer gardens unannounced. I ken this is yer castle.”
Maisie chose her words carefully. Only a few days before, Lillian had been an active rival for James’s hand, and there was something odd about her appearing like this. Maisie didn’t trust it.
“Ye came to see me?” she asked. “What can I dae for ye?”
Lillian’s eyes finally pulled away from the retreating figure of Bram as he disappeared into the castle.
“Is all well?” Maisie asked.
“Och, aye. I merely wish to apologize to ye, m’lady.”
“Ye can call me Maisie, Lillian, it’s all right.”
Lillian’s eyes were imploring now. “I wasnae very pleased about what happened at the contest, and I feel that reflected badly on me and me family.” She sniffed. “I dinnae resent it now. I ken why he chose ye. I wish it to be forgotten between us.”
Maisie hesitated, searching her eyes for any insincerity but Lillian seemed very earnest.
“How long have ye kent James?” Maisie asked. Lillian looked tired – almost harried.
“Ever since I was a girl,” Lillian said as they began to stroll through the gardens together. “We oft danced at gatherin’s and such together. I really thought he might pick me, but I’m glad he picked ye and not any of the other ladies.”
“And why is that?”
Lillian laughed. “Ye’re nae like the others. Ye seem to actually care for Laird MacLennan”
Maisie almost stopped in her tracks at those words. Lilian had seen her with James at the wedding but not at any other time.
What is she up to?
The thought crystalized in Maisie’s head, and she tensed, glancing at Lillian suspiciously. Something felt off.
“Look, I ken ye dinnae have much reason to trust me, seeing as Iwasyer rival for a short while,” Lillian said. “But our paths will cross regularly with me aunt and uncle on the staff of the castle. Me faither is often away and I only really have them as me family. I wished to clear the air between us.”
Maisie faltered. In truth, she would have liked an ally her own age, even a friend who she could speak with, invite to visit, confide in.
But not her. Despite Lillian’s sweet nature, concern coursed through her.
