Page 55 of Seduction in a Kilt

“Of course, go ahead,” Ivy told her. Effie hurried out, leaving Ivy and Liam alone. He looked appealingly at Ivy. “If I’m nae back, Ivy, please dinnae go tae this meetin’,” he begged her yet again.

“There’s nay good discussin’ it any further. I’ll tell ye all about it when I get back, I promise.” She kissed him on the cheek and wished him a good journey.

“Well, if ye must go, then take this with ye,” he said, handing her his dirk.

“Nay, Liam, what if ye need it?” she protested, trying to give it back to him.

“I have another. Just take it, will ye. Fer me own peace of mind, what little of it there is.” He pressed it upon her, looked quickly around and then, to her surprise, he kissed her mouth, and went out frowning, his jaw set tightly.

“I just saw Liam in the hallway. The poor man looks so unhappy,” Effie observed, returning a few moments later. “Are ye absolutely sure he’s nae right, Ivy?” she asked, her eyes filled with misgiving as she looked into Ivy’s.

“I’ve made me decision, Effie. Mayhap ‘tis best if Liam disnae get back before I leave this evenin’. It’ll only make it all the harder tae go,” she told her friend.

Effie shook her head and pressed Ivy’s hand affectionately in hers. “There’s still time tae change yer mind. Liam cares deeply fer ye. Anyone can see that. He’s a clever man, Ivy. Magnus says so, Knox thinks so. His judgement in matters such as these can be trusted. Maybe ye should nae be so stubborn and listen tae him.”

Ivy squeezed her friend’s hand before turning back to her task. “I’ve listened tae him, Effie, over and over. And I trust him with me life. But at the end of the day, as I’ve said many times, there’s too much at stake fer me tae change me mind.”

Dusk came early in March in the Highlands of Scotland. At two o’clock in the afternoon, Ivy left the infirmary and went to her chamber to change. She had decided it would be best for her to go to the meeting in her male garb, armed with her sword, and now she had Liam’s dirk too. She held it in her hands and turned it over several times. It was comforting, like a protective talisman, as though he would be with her in spirit if not in person.

She spent some time sharpening her sword, keeping her eye on the clock. Liam had told her after his scouting trip that it would take her around half an hour on horseback to reach the ruined chapel. At three o’clock, she went down to the stables and had the mare she had ridden before saddled.

Then she set off across the meadows outside the castle gates, heading for the woods. The guards at the gate had instructions to let her roam freely as Liam and Knox were quite certain at this point that she would not escape, now that they knew the truth about her situation with her brother. She was safer, and indeed much happier, living at the castle for the time being. She had planned to arrive at the chapel a little early and have time to make out the lay of the land before meeting her mysterious informant.

Liam watched from the shadows as Ivy rode out through the castle gates. He gave her a few minutes head start and then mounted his stallion and followed her, keeping a safe distance away so she would not spot him.

He recalled the panicked whispered conversation he had had earlier with Effie in the hallway outside the infirmary.

“She’s set on goin’, Liam,” the healer had confided. “I’m nae one tae break a confidence usually, but I’m so worried about her. Please, dinnae go out scoutin’. Ye must stay here and follow her at safe distance.”

“Thank ye, Effie, dinnae fret. That’s exactly what I intend tae dae,” he had reassured her.

Her relief was almost palpable. “Och, thank the Lord fer that! I’ve been goin’ out of me mind with worry about it,” she had replied, her hand on her heart. “I feel much better now I ken ye’ll be keepin’ and eye on her. She’s so stubborn at times.”

“Ye dinnae havetae tell me that.”

Then, something totally unexpected had happened that had floored him. Effie had put her hand on his arms gently and whispered, “She’s in love with ye, ye ken. And whatever ye dae, dinnae tell her I ratted on her,” before hurrying back down the hall to the infirmary.

Liam had stared after her, struck dumb by the revelation.

And now, as he covertly followed Ivy, he was letting the startling information sink in, unsure how he felt about it.