Page 46 of Tangled in a Highland Conspiracy
Ailsa was boiling inside at the thought of her sensitive little sister being hurt by her erstwhile friend. However, what was done was done, and there was no point in turning it over and over again in her mind. That way lay madness.
At last, Katie fell asleep and the Laird himself lifted her to carry her up to bed. Katie loved her father putting her to bed, just as Ailsa did when she was younger. When he came back down again he poured himself a glass of port and sat down beside Ailsa, then studied her keenly for a moment.
“Your mother tells me you have been invited over to Balmuir,” he said without preamble. “Are you sure it is wise?” He looked unusually anxious.
“I have the proof of Larry’s guilt in the shape of the letters,” Ailsa replied firmly. “I know that if we can convince Laird Ormond that he committed the murder there might be some chance of a peace treaty.”
The Laird sipped his port thoughtfully, then said, “Very well, Ailsa, I’ll allow you to go, but you will take six guards with you, and if at any time you feel unsafe, come straight home, please.”
“I will,” Ailsa replied. She went to bed shortly thereafter, but she could not sleep because she kept thinking about Ramsay. How was he? Was he suffering? Would he still be glad to see her? She tossed and turned all night and went to sleep two hours before the sun came up, but even though she had barely closed her eyes at all, she felt invigorated and refreshed. She was going to see Ramsay today…
* * *
Moira and Larry Ormond had both pasted smiles on their faces in order to greet her politely. However, beneath them, Ailsa could see the reality of the hidden hatred they both felt for her.
She was determined not to let it distract her from her mission, though. As they walked inside the entrance to the castle she looked around herself and smiled at the ornate carvings and statues, Gothic arches, and the fluted Doric columns which held up the roof. She might not think much of the Ormonds, but their castle, which was almost six hundred years old, was a masterpiece.
“So beautiful,” she said to Moira. Her admiration was genuine, and although she looked surprised, Moira gave Ailsa a gracious nod.
“Thank you,” she said with a faint smile. “We are very proud of it.”
“I hear that your brother is indisposed,” Ailsa said, doing her best to sound concerned. “How is he today?”
For the first time, Moira showed some genuine emotion and said quietly, “My brother is a little better today, Mistress Ailsa, thank you for asking. I have no doubt you understand how devastating it is for him to lose his son and heir. He has become very frail and will hardly speak to anyone.” Moira made a show of spilling her deepest emotions to Ailsa in order to induce feelings of guilt inside her—but Ailsa was indifferent. No doubt Moira truly loved her brother, but as far as every Ormond but Ramsay was concerned, Ailsa’s heart had turned to stone.
“I do not think he will ever truly get over the loss,” Larry said, feigning sadness. “His heart is utterly shattered, and his body has become weak and tired as a result. I fear for his life since he has hardly eaten since he heard the news of John’s death.” He sighed, and Ailsa could practically burst out laughing at his obvious insincerity.
“Would you like some refreshment before we start the trial, Mistress Ailsa?” Larry asked.
Ailsa took a deep breath. Now was the moment of truth. “Not yet, thank you,” she replied. She gave Larry her most winning smile. “I would like to see the prisoner, if you please.” Then she frowned and made her voice sound grim and angry. “I have a few words to say to him, and I doubt they are words he wants to hear. I shall likely say some things no lady should utter, so please excuse me if I offend your ears.”
Larry laughed. “I assure you, Mistress Ailsa, whatever you have to say, my ears have heard worse.”
“Excuse me,” Moira said politely. “I must go and see to the Laird. He has been asking for me.” She turned to walk away after curtseying to Ailsa.
It took all her willpower, but Ailsa knew that there was too much at stake to risk alienating the Ormonds now. She put a hand on Moira’s arm to stop her and gave her a sympathetic smile. “I have also lost people who are dear to me,” she said gently. “Give the Laird my best wishes.”
Moira’s eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed as she regarded Ailsa with a hostile stare. “Thank you. I will,” she replied frostily, snatched her arm away, and hurried off. Moira could hardly stand being around the child of her beloved Malcom without snapping at the lass. Ailsa was living proof of her unrequared love, which, in time, had become pure hatred towards the McBains. They had ridiculed her after all, abandoning her all alone to huddle the ridicule after Malcolm broke the wedding.
Larry looked surprised. “I did not expect you to do that,” he said. “I will speak to my mother about her rudeness.”
“I have lost family members too,” Ailsa repeated. “I understand why your mother is angry, and I can relate to the Laird’s suffering too, but he is a tough man with a strong will. My family has seen evidence of that.” She paused and looked Larry straight in the eye. “I want to see Ramsay.” Her voice was firm and insistent.
“I am afraid it will not be possible for you to see Ramsay,” Larry replied, frowning fiercely. “The guards have instructions that he is to see no one. I did not give these orders—they came from my uncle, so you see, I cannot disobey them.” Then something occurred to him, and he frowned, puzzled. “Why do you want to see him anyway?”
Ailsa rubbed her hand across her forehead, hiding her eyes and looking distressed. “Because I want to tell him exactly what I think of him,” she replied. She looked up at Larry, and her eyes were dark with anger. Little did he know the anger was directed at him.
“I thought you had come to speak on his behalf,” Larry said, puzzled.
“Mistress Moira asked me to, which I think was very fair,” Ailsa answered. “And I thought at first that I would, but then I considered the matter for a while and realised that I could not.
You see, Master Larry, I could have had a very happy life.” Her voice was filled with rage. “If John and I had married we could have made peace between our two families. Our children would have had both Ormond and McBain blood and we would no longer be fighting over a stupid piece of land. Do you know what I think, Larry?”
Larry was intrigued. “Tell me, what do you think?” He asked curiously, folding his arms in front of his chest. He was usually disinterested in women’s opinions, regarding them as foolish most of the time, but Ailsa’s thoughts were different; he was eager to hear what she had to say.
“I think our two families have lost interest in the original reason for this quarrel,” she answered. “I think they are fighting because that is what they have always done and they know no other way of life.”
Larry stared at her, never having heard such a suggestion before. It had never even occurred to him, and suddenly he saw what an intelligent woman he was dealing with, even if he did not agree with her. He shrugged and smiled at her. “It is an interesting point of view,” he said noncommittally.
