She paused, one hand on the horse’s saddle, and narrowed her eyes. “Nay? Why, then?”
Megan breathed out slowly. She was running out of ideas, and so this one would have to do.
“I came down because I wanted to come with ye,” she said.
The youths glanced at each other, visibly shocked. Alaina froze, eyeing Megan as if she’d said something in a foreign language.
“Ye want to come?” Alaina echoed at last.
“It seems so,” Megan answered, with a short laugh. Now that she’d said it, she’d have to commit. It was the only way to keep an eye on Alaina. Ryder would strongly disapprove, of course, but the girl had made it clear that she was leaving with or without Megan’s approval. At least this way, Megan could keep her safe.
Not that Ryder would see it that way, of course, but she could deal with him later.
“Ye want to come with us to the festival? Really?” Hamish interjected, glancing between Alaina and Megan.
She nodded firmly. “I’ll take a horse from the stables and ride along with ye. It’ll be fun.”
Alaina narrowed her eyes. “Ye only want to watch me. Ye daenae trust me.”
“That’s nae true, Alaina. Look, I am one of four siblings. I have three sisters, and once upon a time we did everythin’ together.”
Alaina bit her lip. “And now?”
She shrugged. “And now they are married. They’re happy, by the way, and I still see them, but things arenae the way they were. We daenae go out and have adventures like we once did, because they have children, husbands, and responsibilities. I miss it. I like adventures, and I’d like to have another one. I think yeshouldnae go alone, and I’d like the opportunity to spend more time with ye.”
Alaina glanced uncertainly at her friends, her gaze dwelling on Hamish. He nodded encouragingly.
“And ye willnae tell Ryder?” she asked slowly.
“That’s the genius of lettin’ me come along with ye,” Megan laughed. “Ryder will be just as angry at me for lettin’ ye go as he will be with ye for goin’. So, ye ken that I’m nae goin’ to tell tales.”
This seemed to encourage Alaina. She glanced at her friends again, and one by one, they gave tiny, almost imperceptible nods.
“Very well, then,” Alaina said at last. “Ye can come. But ye are nae to tell Ryder about this,orSophie. She’s too small to keep a secret. This stays between us, aye?”
“Aye,” Megan confirmed, trying for a reassuring smile.
What am I doin’?She thought, swallowing hard.What on God’s green earth am I doin’?
It was too late to change her mind now, of course. Alaina instructed Hamish to fetch her a horse, then glanced back at Megan. Her gaze dropped down to Megan’s feet, and she frowned.
“Why are ye nae wearin’ any shoes?”
CHAPTER 15
Hamish led the way.He seemed to know where he was going. He and Alaina fled before the rest of them like ghosts, weaving through the dark forest path.
Megan had been right about them knowing a way out of the Keep. There was a narrow doorway set deep in the walls, half choked by ivy and weeds. Alaina had produced a key and carefully locked the door after them.
Safety first, I suppose,Megan thought miserably. Stephen had fetched her a horse and had apparently chosen the oldest, laziest mare in the stables. The youths easily outpaced her on their larger, more energetic horses.
That was fair enough. Megan knew she wasn’t exactly welcome.
They rode for about ten minutes, following a wide, well-trodden path through the forest. Then they slowed to a trot, approachingthe high walls of a village. She spurred her horse forward, walking alongside Hamish and Alaina.
“What is this place?”
“It’s called Foxglove Hill,” Hamish explained. “It’s the closest town to the Keep, so we do a lot of trade with them. They have regular festivals like this, and they’re so much fun. I promised I’d take Alaina.”
