“We should go back to the Keep,” she said carefully. “All of us. We should discuss this in private.”
“Aye,” Ryder heard himself say. “That might be a good idea.”
CHAPTER 17
The moon washigh in the sky by the time they reached the Keep again. Ryder took note of the girls and boys who’d accompanied Alaina. Not to make trouble for them, of course, just for future reference. Alaina could have friends, and if she wanted to take friends from among the servants, she was well within her rights to do so.
Alaina had insisted on sharing a horse with the guard, Hamish. Poor Hamish was as white as a sheet and concentrated on avoiding Ryder’s gaze at all costs.
The Keep was brighter and more awake than when Ryder had left it. More candles had been lit, and more servants were hurrying around, stifling yawns and murmuring to each other.
Wonderful,he thought grimly.By dawn, everybody in the Keep will ken that Alaina successfully escaped and had to be brought back.
Flora must have been woken at some point and stood at the door, worried. Her hair blew in the wind, and she clutched a well-darned shawl around her shoulders.
Ewan’s face lit up when he saw her. He was the first to dismount and hurried over to her. Ryder heard snippets of their conversation.
“…sorry ye were disturbed, love,” he murmured, kissing her hand. “Are ye tired? How is the babe?”
“We are both well, man,” Flora chuckled, patting his cheek. “I thought the Laird and the others might want some food when they returned. It’s cold and late. Will ye sit down in the feastin’ room?”
“Nay, thank ye,” Ryder spoke up, causing her to glance his way. “We’re goin’ to Alaina’s room. We’ll talk there.”
“And… and what about me, me Laird?” Hamish asked tentatively. Ryder fixed him with a steely glare.
“Oh, ye will be joinin’ us, lad. Make nay mistake aboutthat.”
Alaina’s room did not seem big enough for everybody. Ryder had insisted that they all tiptoe past Sophie’s room so that she wouldn’t be woken up.
Hamish and Alaina stood in front of the empty fireplace, stock-still and white-faced. Ryder glowered at them both, arms folded.
Megan stood quietly by the door, but he could feel her eyes on him. He straightened his spine, rolling his shoulders.
“Love,” Ryder said at last, spitting out the word, “is nothin’. It’s an excuse. A delusion. At the very least, it’s somethin’ that impedes clear thinkin’.”
“That isyeropinion,” Alaina snapped. “I love Hamish, Ryder. I do! I want to be with him, and ye cannae keep me locked up here forever. Oristhat what ye want for me? Will I just waste away me life here, like a princess in a tower?”
Ryder ran a hand over his face. “Could ye please spare me the dramatics, lass? Of course, that’s nae what I want! I ken ye think that ye are quite grown up, Alaina, but the plain fact is that ye are nae.”
“Listen…” She began, but Ryder shook his head, holding up a hand.
“Nay, ye listen. Yer safety—and that of yer sister—is me responsibility. Once ye are of age, I’ll nae have guardianship of ye anymore. Ye can go and live wherever ye like and do whatever ye want, and I will be able to do nothin’ but advise against it. But for now—fornow, Alaina—ye will do as ye are bid.”
She was seething. He could see fury in her eyes.
Definitely a MacCulloch, Ryder thought with a grim smile. He glanced over at Hamish while Alaina was stewing.
“Well? What do ye have to say, lad?” he inquired.
Hamish drew in a deep breath, with the air of somebody about to embark on a long and well-rehearsed speech.
Maybe he doesnae care much for her,Ryder thought hopefully.If it’s just infatuation and he admits he doesnae care much for her, then she’ll be sad for a while, but then she’ll recover.
And next time, maybe she’ll listen to me.
“I love Alaina, me Laird,” Hamish blurted out.
Ach, bother.
