“In her defense, ye were a strange man that took her from one cage to what she believed was another,” Lucas said, a hint of wry humor in his tone. “If she’s nay longer fightin’ ye, it means she kens ye’re nae goin’ to hurt her. She might even grow to enjoy yer company.”
“I’ve nay time nor patience for yer jokes,” Darragh growled.
“It’s nae a joke,” Lucas said. “I can tell ye care about her. And it’s quite obvious she wants someone she can trust, even if she willnae admit it.”
Darragh said nothing. The pad of his finger pressed against the rim of his glass. He traced slow circles around it, considering.
There were times, like on the ride just yesterday, when he was certain things had changed between them. Her expression was open, and the challenges she presented felt more like a game the two of them were playing. But then there was the incident in the kitchen and the way she seemed to have improved rapidly in his absence.
But I saw how she relaxed around Flora. Why? Was it because she dinnae feel threatened?
“I may have to change me strategy again,” Darragh muttered to himself.
Chapter Twenty
The hearth crackled, the logs settling as the fire burned low. It was nearly time to move toward the solar, and Darragh was anxious to see Amelia once more. He needed to gauge how she’d responded to Flora.
I need to see to it that she hasnae decided to run off.
“Seems living at Castle McGowan has done Flora a world of good,” he said, shifting in his seat. He put his glass on the side table between them, the dregs of his liquor now too warm to be enjoyable. “Marriage as well. She’s glowin’.”
“Ach, she’s much happier now,” Lucas confirmed. A silent contentment seemed to settle over him. “Spends most of her days helpin’ me with the ledgers. Unless me niece is demandin’ her attention. She writes to the other women we rescued. Has friends now. A life now.”
I’d like to see Amelia at peace like that. I imagine the lass would enjoy spendin’ her days scribblin’ away to friends in that window seat she’s so fond of.
“Ye ken,” Darragh said, clearing his throat of the emotion gathering there, “if it werenae for ye, I wouldnae have found Amelia. I’ve been meanin’ to thank ye.”
The guilt had been sitting heavily on him since he saw the girl chained to the wall. Ultimately, it had been Lucas who pushed him into checking the area one last time. Now that Laird McGowan was here, it needed to be acknowledged out loud.
I hate admittin’ I’m wrong, but what kind of man would I be if I cannae admit me ally kent better than I.
“There’s nay need for yer thanks,” Lucas said after a pause that seemed to stretch for far too long. He met Darragh’s eyes, unnervingly open. He didn’t need to say that he understood the things that were unsaid. “We’re both fightin’ the same fight.”
Darragh grunted. It was the only response he could give. Words would never be adequate to express the complex mix of gratitude and anger that bound them.
The quiet stretched between them once more. It was heavier this time, almost suffocating the same way a hot summer’s day was. All the things neither of them was voicing sat in the space.
“Ye seem tired, Laird Fraser,” Lucas said finally, leaning forward in his seat. He pressed his palms together, his elbows resting on his knees. “Are ye sure ye have the energy to go to the solar?”
“Ach, I’m fine,” Darragh said, looking at the two glasses on the table next to them. He could feel the way Lucas was watching him from the corner of his eye. “Are ye sure ye’re nae tired?”
I cannae tell if we’ve had too many drinks or nae enough.
Lucas said nothing for a while, examining Darragh openly now. He was annoyingly perceptive, and he proved it when he finally, quietly, asserted, “Ye havenae been sleepin’.”
“I’ve been a wee bit busy, Laird McGowan.” Darragh faced him fully, his shoulders squared, and his eyes narrowed. Lucas’s expression was unreadable, though there was a knowing glint beneath it all. “Ye ken I’ve got matters that are still unfinished on top of me regular duties. There arenae enough daylight hours to get everythin’ taken care of.”
Ye really think that ye ken what I’m dealin’ with here?
The tension descended upon them again, more charged this time. Darragh wouldn’t be offering any more information, even if the suffocating pressure snapped. He’d shared everything related to their mission. Lucas didn’t need to know that sleep had evaded him since Amelia arrived at the keep. He didn’t need to dig into Darragh’s mind.
“This isnae only about unfinished business,” Lucas said, his gaze unwavering. He held himself casually, but it was the same way a predator would sit as it goaded its prey closer.
He’s sayin’ things to get a rise out of me. He doesnae truly ken a thing.
Frowning as he crossed his arms over his chest, Darragh said, “Amelia’s identity could destabilize alliances if it’s mishandled.”
Even though he spoke with conviction, the reasoning felt flimsy. When it came to protecting the people under his care, his concerns for the political structure were secondary. It was something to be sorted out after he assured his charges were safe. Regardless, any alliances or trade routes that fell apart because he was protecting his people weren’t meant to stand.
