Chapter Twenty
The oak doorclosed behind Moira and Ailis as Kevin approached with a parchment. “From the gentlemen,” he murmured, handing it to Ailis.
“Meet us in the glen an hour after supper,” Ailis read aloud. Moira leaned closer, scanning the words.
“We should be discreet about this,” Moira bubbled, a mischievous spark in her eyes.
“We’ll come back here and disguise ourselves after we’ve eaten supper with the three banes of our existence,” Ailis added.
A few hours later, the women escaped the annoying men, claiming they were too tired to keep dancing. When they reached their room, they discussed how to disguise themselves.
Finally, Ailis retrieved two scarves from a wooden chest, draping one over her own hair and handing the other to Moira. They adjusted the fabric to obscure their identities, hoping they would not be recognized on their way to the secret meeting.
“Ready?” Ailis asked as they checked each other’s disguises.
“Something is missing,” Moira observed. She opened the chest and found two long shawls that would hide the pattern of their plaids and make it easy to go about without recognition. They put the shawls over their shoulders, and with their heads down, left the chamber.
“Ready as ever,” Moira replied.
Moira was excited to have some time with Lachlan finally. These few days had passed like a month. It wasn’t enough to beable to see him across the room. She wanted to be able to talk to him and touch him.
It was completely dark outside as Ailis and Moira arrived at the shadowy glen. They spotted Lachlan and Brodie approaching with determined expressions.
“Good eve to ye,” Brodie whispered. “We have urgent matters to discuss.”
Lachlan’s gaze locked on Ailis. “Someone is trying to force us apart. We need to find who incites their relentless pursuit and courtship. There must be someone who is telling them exactly what to do, and I mean to find out who it is.” He shook his head. “Someone is telling those three suitors they must spend time with ye and make ye fall in love with them.”
Ailis giggled. “They are not the kind of man we would even like, let alone love. They told us that men would never love a woman who could best them at fighting.”
Lachlan chuckled as well. “I can see they are not endearing themselves to ye.” At first, he’d been a little intimidated by Ailis and her knife skills, but now he was simply proud of how good she was at protecting herself.
“Ye are right about that. But time runs short,” she replied. “With only two more days of games and feasts, our chance to uncover these secrets nears its end. Do ye think ye can find out what is happening?”
“We must be vigilant and swift,” Moira continued. “Within tomorrow’s merriment may lie the answers we seek.”
“Be wary,” Lachlan cautioned. “These games bear political weight. Alliances and enmities form beneath festive masks.” He shook his head. “I wish yer father had come, and he could deal with the lairds, as someone who has experience with men of power.”
“With courage, we’ll navigate between duty and desire,” Ailis declared.
Ailis’s heart raced with apprehension and excitement. They had returned to the castle along the shadowy path when Moira, ever independent, disappeared through the entrance while Kevin awaited her.
Lachlan McClain held Ailis’s arm gently but firmly, urging her to stay. As they stood in Moira’s absence, his eyes mirrored unspoken thoughts.
“Stay,” he requested softly.
Ailis remained as Lachlan pulled her close and kissed her passionately. Time seemed to pause, allowing the intimacy of their connection to sink in. “I cannae believe how long it’s been since ye’ve touched me. It had to be months. And they’ve left me ridiculous substitutes who dinnae understand me at all.”
“I miss ye,” he confessed quietly, reminding her of their separation.
Her heart filled with warmth at his words. “I feel the same, Lachlan. I hate that we are not given a choice in whom we may spend time with,” she admitted. “What would happen if we refused to sit where we are told?”
He shook his head. “I dinnae think it would go well for us. There are definitely more people against our being together here than are for it.”
She sighed. “We need to find some way to communicate every day, as well as talk to Fiona and Alisdair. Even with their room right beside ours, it feels as if I haven’t seen Fiona in a very long time!”
“I’ll think on it,” he whispered. With another quick kiss, he guided her toward the door. “Goodnight, Ailis.”
As Ailis walked through the castle corridors, Kevin spoke to her about Lachlan’s feelings for her. “Lachlan truly cares for ye, like a steadfast oak tree,” he had insisted as they parted ways.
