"That's unusually indecisive of ye."Leon set down his own documents, his expression knowing.
"This wouldnae have anythin'to do with a certain brown-haired lass, would it?"
"I daenae wantto talk about it."
"Of course ye daenae.But ye're goin' to anyway, because ye've been stabbin' that quill like it personally offended ye for the past hour." Leon leaned back in his chair. "What happened?"
Ewan's jaw clenched."Laura. Some days ago at breakfast. She said somethin' cruel about Maia's appearance, and Maia hasnae been the same since."
"I heard about that."Leon's expression darkened. "Heard ye threw Lady Laura out on her arse too."
"Miss Laura,"Ewan corrected sharply. "And aye, I did. Banned her from the castle entirely. Even sent word to her father."
"And let me guess,that's still nae enough for ye?"
"How could it be?"Ewan stood abruptly, pacing to the window. "Maia's been... different. Quieter. I see her touchin' her waist when she thinks nae one's watchin', like she's rememberin' every cruel word Laura said. Every cruel word her bastard uncle probably said before that."
"So talk to her."Ewan turned to glare at his friend.
"And say what, exactly?"
"That ye care about her.That Laura's words were shite. That ye—" Leon paused meaningfully. "That ye think she's bonnie just as she is."
"I cannae just saythings like that."
"Why nae?"Leon stood, crossing his arms. "Ye've been moonin' over the lass for days now. Everyone can see it except apparently ye and her. Just tell her how ye feel."
"It's nae that simple."
"It's exactly that simple.Ye're just too stubborn to admit it." Leon moved toward the door, then paused. "Though I suppose if ye'd rather sit here stabbin' innocent quills and broodin', that's yer choice."
"Leon."
"Just think about it, aye?"His friend's expression softened. "The lass deserves to ken that someone sees her worth. And ye deserve to stop punishin' yerself for bein' human enough to care about someone."
After Leon left,Ewan stood staring at the door, his friend's words echoing in his mind.
Laura had hurt Maia,had deliberately, cruelly struck at what she must have known was a vulnerable spot. And while Ewanhad thrown her out of the castle, had made it clear she was unwelcome, it didn't erase the damage she'd done.
Didn't bring backthat unguarded joy he'd seen on Maia's face when she'd first arrived, when she'd marveled at the unbarred windows and the promise of freedom.
Ewan setdown his quill and leaned back in his chair, his jaw clenched with barely suppressed fury. He wanted revenge. Wanted to make Laura pay for what she'd done, wanted to find some way to hurt her the way she'd hurt Maia.
The problem was findinga method that wouldn't reflect poorly on his clan or cause more trouble than it was worth.
He could spreadrumors about her. God knew there were enough true stories about her cruel behavior toward servants and children. Could make it known throughout the neighboring clans that Laura Nicolson was vindictive and small-minded, the kind of woman who would make a terrible wife.
But that felt petty.Beneath him.
No,what he really wanted was to see Maia happy again. To see that dimple in her cheek when she smiled, to hear her chattering about every bird and flower they passed, to watch her face light up with wonder at the simplest things.
She deserves better than this.
The thought rose unbidden,uncomfortable in its intensity. Maia deserved to feel safe, to feel valued, to look in a mirror and see something other than the flaws her bastard uncle had spent six years drilling into her head.
She deservedsomeone who would look at her soft curves and full figure and see beauty instead of something to be mocked. Someone who would appreciate her endless curiosity, her fierce protectiveness of children, her ability to find wonder in the smallest things.
Someone who wasn't usingher as leverage in a clan dispute.
