Isla peered up and down the hall to make sure Lily was not in earshot, then shook her head tightly. “I ken how ye might think so, but the truth of it is, Lily has always been far more of a friend tae my mother than tae me. Oh, she smiles to my face right enough, and she’ll do as she’s told and pretend tae be on my side. But I always knew that in secret, she went and tattled on me tae my mother and father at every opportunity. ‘Tis why she was left behind with me, I’m sure: Tae act as my minder when my mother isn’t here tae do the job.”
Moira cast her eyes downward shyly. “Then… mayhap ye’d prefer tae havemelookin’ after ye while ye’re with us?”
Isla’s face lit up. “Would ye? Truly? Ye dinnae think Laird Alex would mind?”
Moira tittered. “Och, I dinnae think the laird much notices my comings and goings, my lady, as long as I dinnae displease him. He’d wish for ye tae be comfortable and happy while ye’re with us, I’d think!” Her face fell slightly. “But… what of Lily? I hope she will not be too offended!”
“Ye may leave that tae me,” Isla reassured her.
“Leave what tae ye, precisely?” Alex cut in.
Isla and Moira both turned in the direction of his voice, nearly jumping out of their skin.
The young laird leaned against the wall casually, arching an eyebrow. “Taking charge of the household already, are ye?” he jested lightly.
Isla would generally have expected his tone to be more severe while making such an observation, however, his grin—though faint—seemed genuine enough, and there was something almost playful in his demeanor.
“I… apologize, Laird Alex, if I overstepped,” Isla said slowly, hoping she wouldn’t do or say anything to put him in an ill humor. “I was merely invitin’ Moira to serve me now that I’m here, if that doesn’t displease ye?”
He spread his arms casually. “I care not! Do whatever helps ye tae feel welcome here… within reason, that is,” he added hastily, no doubt remembering her mud-spattered dress upon arrival.
Isla beamed and curtsied. “That is most gracious of ye, Laird Alex. Thank ye.”
“I’ll, er, be about my duties, then,” Moira mumbled, making herself scarce.
Alex watched her go, bemused. “She seems tae be in rather a twitchy mood, doesn’t she?”
“Aye, well, I’ve noticed ye have that effect on people,” Isla observed dryly.
He smiled ruefully in return, and she could not help but admire the boyishness of his expression. In that moment, he looked like the young and curious lad he’d been the first time they’d met, before the burdens of leadership had hardened him into the man he’d since become.
“I suppose I do, at that,” he chuckled.
“I’ve not seen much of ye since my arrival,” she pointed out. “Have I managed tae displease ye already?”
Alex looked mildly surprised by her comment. “No, not at all. Rather, I… well, I suppose I thought ye might prefer privacy, sothat ye could properly acquaint yerself with the castle. Without my interference, I mean.”
“I might have been able tae better ‘acquaint’ myself if I’d had a guide,” she suggested.
Alex cleared his throat uncomfortably. “I thought… after our interaction in the garden…”
“I spoke my mind, and I dinnae regret it,” Isla interjected primly. “Even so, there’s no reason we cannae be civil tae each other, especially if we’re tae be wed.”
He appeared to be visibly relieved. “In that case, perhaps ye’d like tae see more of our lands, since ye’ll be ruling over them by my side?”
Isla smiled demurely. “That would be lovely.”
She went up to her chambers to find more appropriate riding attire, and as she did, she found herself oddly hopeful at the change in Alex’s demeanor. Did she dare to hope that perhaps this arranged marriage might not be quite so awful after all?
She met him in front of the stables, and was surprised—and pleased—to discover that he, too, had changed clothes, for the ride, no doubt, but also to impress her, from the look of them. She was flattered, but did not wish to point it out, for fear that it might make him self-conscious.
“Would ye like me to show ye which horses here are the swiftest, so that ye might choose from them?” he offered.
“Thank ye kindly,” she replied, “but there’s only one steed for me, and that is my beloved Thistledown.”
Alex raised his eyebrows wryly. “The horse who led ye through the mud, ye mean?”
“The very same!” she laughed. “But dinnae fear, for I’ll try harder tae avoid such obstacles today.”
