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“Be careful.”
Colum nodded once more before swiftly leaving the study and closing the door firmly behind him.
Before Duncan returned to Elaine to tell her the good news, he headed to the library, for no doubt, that is where he would find Keir. Samuel McKinley would have fixed him up by now. And knowing his brother, he would not be satisfied staying in his chamber like some sort of cripple. Duncan had a lot to tell him, and he wanted to see how he was fairing with his own eyes.
Entering the library with a determined stride, Duncan slowed his pace when he realized Keir was not alone. Approaching the two occupied chairs, he was more than surprised to see Allison sitting with him.
“Allison,” Duncan declared.
Quickly standing, she curtsied toward him. “Good day tae ye, my Laird.”
With the chaos of the day, and all that had needed to be addressed, Duncan had not had any time to consider her sudden arrival in Finn’s bedchamber, nor make the connection to why she had come at all. Even now, as he regarded her, he could not imagine her reasons, and frowned as he suddenly thought the worst.
“She is nae involved, Duncan,” Keir said, as though magically reading his brother’s mind. “Well, she is, but nae in the way ye might imagine.”
“And what way is that?” Duncan looked curiously at his brother.
“I am Elaine’s friend, my Laird,” Allison offered.
“I find that a little bit coincidental, Allison, considering ye were with me the night before Elaine suddenly arrived. If she were, like ye, a lady o’ pleasure, it might explain it. Yet, I now ken that is nae the case.”
“Well,” Allison laughed a little nervously. “We were nae friends at the beginning. In fact, Elaine threatened me with a knife outside the castle walls so she could get tae ye.”
Duncan raised his eyebrows but could not help the slight smile that danced on his lips. “Aye, she seems tae have a knack with swords and knives.”
“I can assure ye, my Laird. She scared me half tae death at the time.”
“And now?”
“It’s a long story. But the crux o’ it is, she is likely the closest companion I have.”
Duncan was no longer suspicious of the woman; he was simply trying to piece things together. Yet,he couldn't deny Finn's betrayal had made him nervous.
If ye cannae trust yer childhood friend, who also happens tae be yer half-brother, who can ye trust?
He now knew Elaine’s full story, though he desperately wanted to hear it from her. And though it pained him to realize she had been working with Finn, it was clear it had never been by choice. In a more than desperate situation, she had been working against her will, with the threat of her sister’s life hanging over her head. No one could know how they would act until they were in such a position. And in that way, Duncan had no longer judged. He knew the pain of loss and he wouldn’t wish it upon anyone.
“Would ye excuse us, Allison,” Duncan said, looking down at her once more. “I would like tae speak with my brother.”
“Aye, my Laird.” She curtsied, and then toward Keir, flashing him a wide smile that did not escape Duncan’s notice before quickly hurrying from the room.
“I’m sorry for interrupting,” Duncan said with a smile, as he lowered himself into the newly vacated chair.
Keir grinned and then shook his head. “We were just talking.”
“Indeed,” Duncan replied in a tone that conveyed he did not believe his brother’s innocent explanation.
“Aye, indeed,” Keir parroted back. “Allison is a healer and was concerned for my welfare. She came tae see how I was after being wounded.”
“Och, it was a scratch.” Duncan swiped a hand playfully, with an easy smile.
Keir could only chuckle and shake his head.
“A scratch,” Duncan said, a little more seriously, “that I have yet tae thank ye for, Keir. Ye are a madman for pushing me out o’ the way. But that being said, I am still truly grateful.”
“That’s what older brothers are for, Duncan. I’ve been taking care o’ ye yer whole life. Dinnae think I’m going tae stop now.”
“Och, my arse, ye have,” Duncan blustered. “It’s been me that has taken care o’ ye.”
