Page 18 of Under the Laird’s Promise

"Thank ye," she whispered.

"Always." The word was simple, but something in the way he said it made heat bloom in her chest.

Her father cleared his throat, drawing attention. "I must rest. Malcolm, assist me."

The steward moved quickly, supporting her father as he stood. The hall quieted, respect for their laird overriding curiosity. Angus paused beside Maighread's chair, placing a weathered hand on her shoulder.

"Ye've chosen well, daughter," he said clearly, loudly enough for those nearby to hear. Then, quieter, just for her: "Trust him."

She nodded, throat tight, as her father left the dais.

The meal dragged on interminably. Course after course, toast after toast. Men approached to congratulate them, to clasp Tavish's arm, to tell Maighread how fortunate she was. She smiled until her face ached, agreed until her throat burned, and felt Tavish's solid presence beside her like an anchor in a storm.

Keir rose shortly after. "I should depart at first light. Return tae me own lands now that I've seen Lady Maighread safely delivered."

"That would be best," Maighread said firmly, her tone making it clear this wasn't a suggestion. "Thank ye fer yer… escort. Malcolm will see that ye and yer men are provisioned fer the journey home."

Keir's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, but he bowed. "Of course, me lady. MacBain." His gaze lingered on them both for a moment too long before he turned and left the hall, his men following. The tension eased fractionally with his departure.

Relief swept through her as the great doors closed behind Keir and his men. "He's gone. We did it."

"Thank Christ fer that," Kathleen muttered from further down the table. "I thought he'd never leave."

"He's nae leaving," Maighread added quietly. "Nae really. He'll be watching us constantly."

"Then we'll give him naething tae see except a betrothed couple preparing fer their wedding." Tavish's hand found hers beneath the table, squeezed once, released. "Come. Walk with me. We should be seen taegether, acting comfortable."

They excused themselves, slipping from the hall into the cooler air of the corridors. Torches flickered in their brackets, casting dancing shadows on stone walls.

Maighread waited until they were alone before speaking. "That was..."

"Terrifying?" Tavish supplied. "Excruciating? A disaster waiting tae happen?"

"All of those." She leaned against the wall, exhaustion crashing over her. "But we survived it. And Keir has agreed tae leave tomorrow."

"Aye. So now," Tavish's tone held something sharp, "that he's nae actively threatening ye, we can quietly dissolve the betrothal and ye can find some other solution." Tavish's voice held caution. "But he'll be back. Men like that dinnae give up so easily."

She turned to face him fully. That close, she could see the exhaustion etched around his eyes, the tension still held in his shoulders.

"When dae ye leave?" The question came out quieter than she'd intended.

Something shifted in his expression. "Day after tomorrow. I need tae return tae MacBain lands, let me braither ken what's happened. Settle things there."

Her stomach dropped, though she couldn't name why. This was always the plan—temporary help until Keir left. Tavish had his own life, his own clan. Of course he'd go home.

"But I’ll be back in a fortnight, maybe less." He studied her face. "Why? Will ye miss me, lass?"

The teasing tone should have irritated her. Instead, heat crept into her cheeks. "I'm just wondering how we maintain this fiction if ye're nae here."

"The fiction." His jaw tightened slightly. "Right."

"What else would ye call it?" But even as she said it, something twisted uncomfortably in her chest. The evening had felt less like performance and more like… something real.

Dangerous thoughts.

"I'd call it complicated." Tavish moved closer, and Maighread's breath caught. He was still keeping proper distance, but she was acutely aware of him—the breadth of his shoulders, the way he looked at her like he was trying to puzzle her out. "Ye played yer part perfectly taenight. In front of Keir, the Council, yer whole clan."

"As did ye." She lifted her chin. "Very convincing."