Page 33 of Treachery in the Highlands
Father grunts.
My mother steps in to mediate our disagreement."Kieran, honestly, I agree with Rachel.Joey doesn't have any weapons, and he's been nothing but deferential to you.Don't lock him in.Please, honey."
Father's expression softens at Mother's plea.I've always marveled at how she wields such influence over him with just a few gentle words.
"As you wish," he grumbles, running a hand through his hair."But he's not to wander about unattended.Someone must keep an eye on him at all times."
"I volunteer," I say quickly---too quickly, judging by the narrowing of Father's eyes.
"Absolutely not," he says, his voice dropping to that dangerously low tone that makes even the bravest clansmen flinch."Your Great-Aunt Morna will watch him."
Joey's gaze darts to Morna, who smiles at him with all the steely resolve of a warrior.I see him swallow hard.
"I'd be honored," Morna says."Provided he doesnae try to seduce me."
The twinkle in her eye, and the slight smile on her lips, assures me she's teasing Joey.
I set my hands on my hips."Och, this is ridiculous.Please let me guard Joey so I can show him around the castle.We will remain within the walls of Dùndubhan."
Father's expression darkens like a Highland storm cloud."Ye think me a fool, lass?I've seen the way ye look at the man."
"I promise we'll stay where everyone can see us," I plead, trying to sound reasonable rather than desperate.
"Aye, just like ye promised to stay away from the western tower last summer?"Father counters, his eyebrow arched knowingly."We both remember how that ended."
I had learned my lesson about experimenting with fire magic indoors on that day.
Joey clears his throat."Sir, if I may---"
"Ye may not," Father cuts him off."Morna will accompany ye, and that's final."
My great-aunt shifts beside me, her hands folded primly at her waist."Come along then, young man.I promise I don't bite---unless provoked."
Joey gives me a helpless glance before nodding respectfully to my father."Thank you for your hospitality, sir.I appreciate not being locked in the tower."
Father merely grunts in response, though he gives a tiny wink too.Joey's polite deference might be working in his favor, if only slightly.
Everyone follows as we exit the great hall and go outside.
As Morna leads Joey away, I linger behind, watching the way his shoulders move beneath his clothing.He looks quite fetching in the clothes I gave him.Even in this impossible situation, he carries himself with a certain grace that makes my heart flutter.When he turns back to steal one last look at me, I feel the familiar warmth rising in my cheeks.
"Stop!"
My mother's harsh cry reverberates from behind us.
Father approaches her, his brows furrowed."What is it, Alyssa?"
"You're acting like a dictator, Kieran."She grasps a handful of his shirt, rising onto her tiptoes to meet him eye to eye."Rachel is a grown woman---and a Vescovi, like me, which means we don't obey shouty commands without an explanation.Stop treating our daughter like a child.If she wants to spend time with Joey, you will let her do that.Won't you?"
Father seems...chastised.I've rarely seen that happen.
His nostrils flare, his golden eyes locked with Mother's fierce blue ones.The air between them practically crackles with tension.I hold my breath, watching this battle of wills that I've witnessed countless times throughout my life.
"Alyssa," Father says, his voice dangerously low."The man is a stranger---"
"The man," Mother interrupts, still clutching his shirt, "has been nothing but respectful.And our daughter clearly cares for him."
Joey shifts uncomfortably under Great-Aunt Morna's watchful eye, clearly trying to pretend he can't hear this very public dispute about him.Poor man.His cheeks have turned a rather fetching shade of pink.
