Page 21 of Highlander of Steel
“Aye, I thought the same,” Killian admitted, his mind flashing to the nightmare that had made her thrash and moan last night.
Paisley dropped her gaze for a moment, and when she raised it, there was hesitation in her eyes. “With respect, me Laird, I daenae ken if a castle by the sea is the best place for her. Maybe there’s another way to get Fraser back, so we can let the poor lass return home as soon as possible. She’ll make herself ill if she stays here, and honestly, seeing her intense fear, I daenae ken if any of me tonics will be strong enough to let her sleep peacefully.”
“The trouble is,” Killian replied, a faint growl in his voice, “they daenae want her back.”
Paisley gasped. “What?”
“They daenae care what happens to her,” Killian said. “And they daenae want her back.”
She has nay value to them whatsoever.
He raked a hand through his wavy, dark hair, let loose from his customary braids, and realized his grip had tightened on thepommel of his sword. A blade he now wanted to run through Laird Ainsley for three reasons: for killing his father, for stealing away his brother, and for treating Ailis as if she were nothing at all.
“Then what do we do about Fraser?” Paisley asked, wide-eyed, turning rather pale herself.
Driving his sword into the ground, Killian looked back at the worried woman. “Ye’ll soon see, Paisley. Very soon.”
In fact, he was already late.
8
Ailis lay in the dark, the heavy drapes pulled across the windows to block out the view of the glittering sea. She couldn’t even bear the light, her mind and body somehow sensing the sea in the sun’s glow, like it carried a hazy warning of how close the treacherous water really was.
Paisley must think I’m so rude. She wanted to help, though I doubt I deserve it, and I just… wandered off.
She grimaced and squeezed her eyes shut. For the better part of half an hour, she had been willing sleep to come so she wouldn’t have to think about the sea anymore. For the better part of half an hour, it had refused to put her out of her misery. If anything, she feltmoreawake.
A knock at the door propelled her upward, her mouth forming a plea that she wasn’t to be disturbed. But the door was already opening, the maid—Rachel—entering without waiting for permission.
“Mercy, it’s so dark in here!” she remarked.
“I was… resting,” Ailis said shyly.
Rachel bustled over to the round table by the window, finding her way despite the gloom, and set down a tray. Before Ailis could stop her, she yanked back the drapes, the golden afternoon sunlight streaming back into the room.
“Aye, well, ye can rest after ye’ve had luncheon,” Rachel said as two more maids entered the now-bright room with trays of their own.
Ailis stared at the mountain of food they had brought with them: a tureen of soup or stew, a pyramid of fresh bread rolls, a selection of cheeses, plates of roasted meats, small bowls of buttery vegetables, and no fewer than eight tarts for dessert, alongside cut apples, glossy blackberries, and some sort of fruity preserve.
“Even on a good day, I couldnae possibly eat all of that!” she protested, uncertain whether this was some kind of mockery. “And today isnae a good day. Indeed, I daenae have an appetite at all.”
Rachel set out two empty plates, while another maid put out a jug of something to drink, and the third maid swept in to place two pewter goblets.
“It’s nae just for ye,” Rachel explained, adding two folded napkins. “The Laird will join ye.”
An almost envious look passed between the other maids, both of them casting less-than-friendly glances at Ailis. Meanwhile, Rachel seemed entirely unbothered, sprinkling dried flowers on the table as a final touch.
“But… I’m nae hungry,” Ailis protested feebly.
If Killian wanted to have luncheon with her, she couldn’t exactly refuse. As he had said, it wasn’t a good idea to be discourteous to the man she considered her captor. A generous captor, undoubtedly, but shewasstill there under his control.
Rachel shrugged. “Then ye daenae have to eat anythin’. Ye can just sit with the Laird whileheeats. Although the cook will be disappointed to hear that ye havenae enjoyed the meal she’s prepared.”
With that, she ushered the other maids out and, offering an encouraging smile, stepped out of the room.
Thus, Ailis was left alone with the delicious-smelling feast, waiting for her unexpected guest.
“Why did he nae summon me downstairs?” she grumbled, tossing back the coverlets.
