But she couldn't stop the flutter in her stomach or the warmth spreading through her at the memories. Couldn't stop wondering what would happen that night, if he'd want to touch her again, if she'd have the courage to touch him in return.
The corridor was quiet as she made her way toward the kitchens, hoping to find breakfast and a moment to collect herself. But as she passed Catherine's chamber, she heard voices—familiar, feminine, worried.
"—cannae believe he didnae tell us sooner."
"He was protectin' her. Ye ken how he is."
"Still. We should have kent. Should have been prepared."
Liliane paused, her hand hovering over the door. She should keep walking, leave them to their private conversation. But something in their tone made her hesitate.
"Dae ye think she's truly safe here?" That was Sofia's voice, gentle but concerned.
"With Tòrr? Aye. He'd die before lettin' anythin' happen tae her." Catherine sounded certain. "But those men at the festival... if they'd succeeded..."
Liliane's stomach clenched. They were talking about her, about the attack. She should announce herself, should knock and?—
The door opened suddenly, and Alyson stood there, her eyes widening. "Liliane! We didnae hear ye approach."
"I didnae mean tae eavesdrop. I was just passin' and heard voices." Heat crept up her neck. "I'll go."
"Nay! Dinnae be daft." Alyson reached out to catch her arm. "Come in. Please. We were actually hopin' tae speak with ye."
Before Liliane could protest, she was gently but firmly pulled into the chamber. Catherine and Sofia sat on the bed, both rising as she entered. The concern on their faces made her throat tight.
"Are ye alright?" Sofia asked immediately. "We heard about what happened at the festival. Tòrr told us yesterday, but we didnae want tae overwhelm ye."
"I'm fine. Truly." Liliane's hands twisted in her skirts. "Tòrr... he stopped them. Kept me safe."
"Of course he did." Catherine's voice held pride and something fiercer. "But that daesnae mean ye werenae frightened. That it wasnae terrifyin’."
"It was." The admission came easier than expected. "They grabbed me. Told me they were takin' me back tae me faither. And fer a moment, I thought..." She stopped, swallowing hard. "I thought they'd succeed. That I'd be dragged back tae Foulis and everythin' I'd been tryin' tae escape would happen anyway."
Sofia moved forward, pulling Liliane into a gentle embrace. "But they didnae succeed. Ye're here. Ye're safe."
"And now ye're family," Catherine added. "Which means ye've got all of us watchin' over ye too."
Liliane pulled back from Sofia's embrace, looking between the three sisters. "But ye barely ken me."
"But Tòrr chose ye," Alyson interrupted gently. "And our braither daesnae choose lightly. If he's decided ye're worth protectin', worth fightin' fer... then ye must be somethin' special."
"I'm nae special. I'm just…" Liliane stopped, unsure how to finish that sentence. What was she? A woman sold at auction? A sister trying desperately to save another sister? Someone so confused about her own feelings she could barely think straight?
"Ye're our sister now," Sofia said firmly. "Whether ye feel special or nae. And that means when someone threatens ye, they threaten all of us."
"Oh, Liliane." Alyson moved to her other side, and suddenly she was surrounded by all three sisters, their arms forming a protective circle. "Ye're nae alone anymore. Dae ye understand? Whatever happens, ye'll never stand alone in this household."
"Tòrr will help ye," Catherine said fiercely.
"Because he's Tòrr MacDonald," Sofia said simply. "And when he decides somethin' needs tae be done, he finds a way tae dae it. Always."
"I need tae speak with him." Liliane stood abruptly, suddenly desperate to see Tòrr, to hear from his own lips what he was planning. "Where is he?"
"Library, probably," Alyson said. "He and Daemon were meetin' there earlier."
"Thank ye. All of ye." Liliane looked between the three sisters, her throat tight. "Fer carin'. Fer nae judgin' me fer the mess I've brought intae yer home."
"Ye havenae brought a mess," Sofia said gently. "Ye've brought yerself. And that's enough."
