Chapter Nineteen
The grand hallwas filled with the sound of fiddles and pipes, as dancers swayed beneath flickering torchlight. Ailis McAfee’s brunette locks framed her demure smile as she followed her partner’s lead—once again a man she had not chosen. Across the room, Lachlan and Brodie exuded restrained frustration, separated from Moira and Ailis by the orchestrated dance.
Each step was measured, each turn deliberate. Her green eyes met Lachlan’s occasionally, exchanging a mutual glare and a wordless promise for honest conversation.
As the night progressed, energy dwindled, and the final notes signaled the time to retire. Ailis and Moira ascended the staircase, their laughter echoing softly off the walls.
In their chamber, they released pent-up amusement. Moira choked upon recalling the men’s expressions when Fiona had bested them earlier that day. Ailis joined in.
“Did ye see Horas?” Moira gasped. “His face was as red as me hair!”
“And Lucas’s jaw,” Ailis added. “I thought it might never return to its proper place and reside forever at his knees.”
Sitting together on Moira’s bed, their amusement subsided into contented smiles. Despite being kept away from their family and friends during the festivities, they found solace in shared triumph over expectations.
“Tomorrow,” Ailis whispered with determination, “we’ll find a way to speak with Lachlan and Brodie.”
“This game tires me,” Moira agreed. “We are no one’s pawns.”
With their vow lingering, they embraced sleep, anticipating another day where duty and desire would continue their tireless dance.
*
Lachlan observed themoonlit courtyard below, leaning against the castle’s stone wall. Brodie stood beside him, their breaths misting in the crisp air. Both sensed something was off regarding Moira and Ailis.
“Something is amiss,” Lachlan finally whispered. “We must find a way to speak with them without interference. But how?”
Brodie nodded. “Perhaps during the morning activities, we can ‘accidentally’ cross paths.”
“Accidents do happen.” Lachlan smirked.
“Aye, they do,” Brodie agreed. “If we partner in the archery contest, it may provide the opportunity.”
“On the morrow, we decide our own future.”
Unseen in the shadows, Clyde Stewart watched them before joining Horas, Lucas, and Bearnard.
“Ye are doing well,” Clyde commanded. “Keep close to the lasses. Come the morrow, steal away from the dances and kiss them. Let all see. We must keep them from the McClains, no matter what it takes.”
The suitors exchanged glances but understood Clyde’s orders carried weight with their fathers.
“Be seen kissing them?” Horas asked. “They are women who best men at war games.”
“Aye. Do this, and our plans will unfold.” Clyde realized he should have gone to their fathers. The boys questioned him and thought too highly of themselves. He wished there was time forhim to choose boys that would suit the sisters better than these three did.
Clyde started to walk away, but turned and added, “The future of our clans may hinge upon yer actions.”
With a final glance at each man, Clyde retreated into the darkness.
*
Before dawn, Ailisand Moira left their chamber to seek out the McClain brothers. They found Kevin, the man guarding their door, who guided them through dimly lit corridors.
“We must speak with Lachlan and Brodie,” Ailis whispered urgently. Kevin nodded solemnly and led them out of the keep and to the brothers’ tent.
As they entered, Lachlan turned to them, while Brodie watched silently from the shadows. “We find ourselves in a dire circumstance,” Ailis began, explaining how Horas, Lucas, and Bearnard kept them apart from the brothers and stifled their freedom. “We have no desire to be in their presence, let alone have them be the only people we are allowed to speak with.”
Lachlan’s eyes sharpened like icy shards upon realizing the situation, and Brodie clenched his jaw. “We knew something was amiss.” Lachlan shook his head.
