Melissa frowned slightly. “What kind of situation?”
“One they may not ken about,” Arianna replied.
Melissa’s brow furrowed with concern. “And what does the Laird say of it?”
Arianna looked down at the path beneath her feet. “He denies it is true,” she said quietly.
Melissa released a soft sigh. “Well,” she said after a moment, “I’ve kent Ian since we were bairns runnin' wild through the fields.” She offered a reassuring smile. “He’s many things, but a liar he is not.”
Arianna wished those words brought her comfort. Instead, they stirred the painful confusion already knotting her heart.
What if he truly believes he speaks the truth?
Her loyalty to her own family pressed against the fragile feelings she had begun to build for Ian. One demanded caution and suspicion. The other whispered that she might be wrong about him.
The struggle between those loyalties left her exhausted.
“I think…” Arianna began slowly. “I think I need some time to think on things.”
Melissa nodded thoughtfully. “Aye, that sounds wise.”
They continued walking until they reached the small stone fountain near the center of the garden. Water trickled softly from the carved basin, its gentle sound filling the quiet space around them.
Melissa suddenly smiled with a touch of mischief. “What ye truly need,” she declared, “is a long hot bath, a full meal, and a good night’s sleep.”
Arianna blinked before a soft laugh escaped her.
“Aye,” she admitted. “I believe ye are right.”
Melissa grinned in satisfaction. “A tired mind makes mountains out of pebbles.”
Arianna felt some of the tension ease from her shoulders. “I think I’ll take a short walk and then return to me chamber for a bath.”
Melissa nodded immediately. “I’ll have the servants bring the tub up,” she said. “It’ll be ready whenever ye wish.”
“Thank ye,” Arianna replied warmly.
Melissa squeezed her hand briefly before turning back toward the castle.
Arianna lingered in the garden for a moment longer before beginning her slow walk along the path. She had taken only a few steps when movement near the garden gate caught her attention. She paused and glanced back.
Flynn stepped through the doorway leading from the castle into the garden. His eyes quickly found Melissa, and his expression softened at once. Arianna watched quietly as he crossed the garden toward her friend.
Melissa looked up. Her face brightened with joy. Flynn wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, pressing a quick kiss against her lips before she could even greet him. Melissa laughed softly as she returned the embrace, her hands resting easily against his shoulders. Flynn gently put his hand on Melissa's belly.
The sight warmed Arianna’s heart. Yet at the same time, something inside her tightened painfully. She was happy for Melissa. Truly.
But watching the simple affection between them stirred a sharp sting of longing she could not ignore. The ease with which they held one another reminded her of something she feared she might never have.
A love without doubt. A trust without fear.
Arianna turned quietly away before they noticed her watching.
The garden suddenly felt much larger and lonelier. Arianna walked slowly along the narrow path that curved beyond the garden walls. In the distance, the outline of the stables caught her eye, and she saw Ian with some men.
Arianna paused upon the path, her gaze lingering in that direction as her thoughts churned heavily within her mind.
One truth had become painfully clear to her during the long hours of the day. She could not trust a messenger to carry herletter safely to her brother. Servants moved through the castle with loyal hearts for Clan McGuire, and though many had shown her kindness, she could not be certain whose eyes or ears might report her actions. Melissa alone might keep her confidence, yet Melissa carried a bairn, and Arianna could not ask such a burden of her.
