“Enough laughin’,” Isla chided, helping Amelia up from her seat. “I’ve also been informed ye’ve nae eaten anythin’ more than that bread.” She watched, narrowing her eyes as Amelia shoved the last bit of the loaf in her mouth. “Yer body is still healin’. That’s nae enough to fuel ye.”
With that, Isla led Amelia out of the meeting room and into the corridor. She skirted the men, passing them by, walking as if the keep belonged to her rather than Darragh. They were back in the kitchens so quickly that Amelia didn’t have time to register who they were barreling past. When she finally got her bearings, Isla was tucking her away next to the hearth.
“Ye stay here. The kitchen’s in a frenzy,” she said, pulling Amelia’s arms from where they were hidden and holding them toward the fire. As she forced Amelia to warm her hands, Isla said, “I will be quite upset with ye if ye irritate yer sides because of a stray cook.”
Feeling looked after in a way she couldn’t quite explain, Amelia followed Isla’s unspoken instructions. As she diligently warmed her hands, she tried to relax into the event. She was safe here in the kitchens, safe enough that she trusted a child to take care of her needs.
As much as I daenae want to admit it, Darragh’s done quite well at securin’ the place, but me stomach’s still in knots.
Chapter Thirty
“Nae too much longer now, aye?” Ewan asked as soon as he spotted Darragh while he continued adjusting his stallion’s tack.
“Ye’re more eager than a child,” Darragh observed, crossing his arms over his chest as he smirked at his right-hand man. “But aye, we will be startin’ shortly. I’m goin’ to make me rounds. I wasnae as present as I should have been this mornin’.”
Ewan scoffed, patting his beast’s neck. He waited for the animal to finish whickering, watching Darragh with an eyebrow raised. “I daenae think anyone was payin’ all that much attention to whether or nae ye were playin’ good host. They’re far more concerned with comin’ back with the biggest prize at the end of the day.”
“Be that as it may, I shouldnae be neglectin’ me duties just because me guests maynae notice,” Darragh said with a grunt.Just as he turned to walk away and make good on his intentions, Ewan’s voice stopped him.
“Ye havenae made me aware of what’s got ye so distracted this mornin’.” Ewan was stroking his horse’s muzzle now, the creature nuzzling against his palm. “Is it not me job to guide ye through difficult decisions?”
Darragh’s jaw tightened, his lip curling upward as he squared his stance. “I’m nae sure I ken what ye mean, but I believe it would be best for ye to watch yer mouth.”
“I’m nae sayin’ anythin’ that’s meant to upset ye,” Ewan said, taking a slow step away from his horse. “I’m simply tellin’ ye the truth. I could see that yer mind wasnae really in the great hall this mornin’.”
“And ye ken that we are currently dealin’ with multiple investigations,” Darragh countered, keeping his voice even though something protective in him flared.
“Aye, but ye seemed most distracted by Amelia’s empty seat,” Ewan said bluntly.
It felt like the air crackled between them. For a moment, Darragh thought he’d lash out, but he contained the wolfish aggression, knowing he’d have a chance to get it out shortly.
“I daenae think it’s unfounded for me to be concerned about her,” Darragh said as smoothly as he could muster. “Ye’re nae sodense that ye cannae see how stressful an event like this must be for her.”
“Ach, but ye’re far too dense to realize that ye’ve nae been discreet. Ever since we received that messenger that bore news of Laird Mackenzie’s travels, ye’ve been even more protective of her. Ye’ve told me before that ye’re nae worried about her breakin’. Has somethin’ changed?”
The merriment of the other men filled the space between them. Ewan showed no signs of pulling back, and Darragh knew that this wasn’t the place for a battle of wills. It was part of why he asked Ewan to fill the position, but it came with its share of disadvantages.
“Whatever conversation ye’re tryin’ to have isnae appropriate for this event,” Darragh said through gritted teeth. His voice was quiet, barely audible over the cacophony of noise mere centimeters away. He took a step forward, invading Ewan’s space. “Ye ken that. Ye’re bringin’ it up now because ye think I will indulge ye just to make me life easier. Ye’re a smart man. Come to yer own conclusions, but be sure to keep them to yerself.”
Ewan had the sense to nod, though a vein in his forehead bulged with the effort it must have taken him to stay silent. For both of their sakes, Darragh turned around then. He didn’t fully understand the anger that was boiling under his skin at the thought of exposing Amelia’s secret, especially when he hadn’t confirmed it with her.
Nothin’ but startin’ rumors if I’m to say anythin’. He should ken that if there’s information he needs, I will give it to him without him askin’.
“Laird Fraser,” Laird McDonough called, a smile on his face and a glow on his cheeks that spoke of overindulgence, “I had the strangest visit that I’ve been meanin’ to speak with ye about.”
“Aye?” Darragh asked, stopping in his tracks. “We’ve nae got much time to discuss anythin’ direly important, but if ye wanted to?—”
“Nay, it’s nothin’ that needs that much time,” McDonough said, either not realizing or not caring that he cut Darragh off.
Saints, today is truly a test of me patience.
“Then go ahead,” Darragh grumbled, not bothering to hide his annoyance. The other man likely wouldn’t recall the finer details of this chat. “What is it, Laird McDonough?”
“Have ye heard that Laird Mackenzie seems to have recovered from all that rotten luck he ran into?” he said, unbothered by Darragh’s demeanor. “He came to me castle just last week. Said he wanted to discuss new trade agreements.”
Darragh dropped all of his aggression, his gaze sharpening with interest as he asked, “And did ye settle anythin’?”
“Nay,” McDonough said, rubbing his chin. “It was the strangest thing. He only spent a singular night with us. Asked me all types of questions about who was stayin’ there.”
