Now she was making demands.Was refusing to take no for an answer. Was fighting for what she wanted instead of accepting whatever scraps of freedom he deigned to give her.
That's me girl.
The thought rose unbidden,possessive and entirely inappropriate. She wasn't his girl. Wasn't his anything except his prisoner and his responsibility.
But God,he wanted her to be.
"Tell her—"Ewan started, then stopped. Shook his head. "Actually, nay. I'll tell her meself."
Aisla's smile turned knowing."Shall I show ye to her chambers, then?"
"I ken where her chambers are,"Ewan snapped dryly, standing and coming around his desk. "I'm the one who assigned them to her."
"Of course, me laird."But Aisla's eyes were dancing with barely suppressed laughter as she led him from the study.
They madetheir way through the castle corridors, passing servants who bowed or curtsied, guards who nodded respectfully, and a group of children playing some sort of game involving a wooden ball and a great deal of shouting.
And Ewan foundhimself wondering what exactly Maia planned to say to convince him. Wondering if she'd look at him with those wide grey eyes, if she'd smile that dimpled smile, if she'd use that breathless, enthusiastic voice that made even the most mundane observations sound like declarations of wonder.
Wonderingif he'd be able to resist any of it.
Ye're in trouble.Deep, deep trouble.
Aisla knockedon Maia's door, then pushed it open without waiting for a response. "Me laird to see ye, miss."
Ewan steppedinto the chamber and stopped short.
Maia was standingby the window, already dressed for an outing. She wore one of the practical wool dresses the seamstress had made for her—deep brown this time, the color bringing out the warmth in her skin and the rich darkness of her hair.
The dress fit her perfectly,highlighting curves that made Ewan's mouth go dry. Her hair was pinned back loosely, with a few waves escaping to frame her face.
But it washer expression that caught him. Her face was bright with anticipation, a genuine smile curving her lips, the first real smile he'd seen from her in three days. The shadows in her eyes hadn't entirely disappeared, but they'd retreated, pushed back by determination and hope.
"I kent ye'd come,"she said triumphantly, and there was that dimple appearing in her cheek like a reward. "Aisla said ye refused twice, but I kent that if she brought ye here, ye wouldnae be able to say nay to me face."
Somethingwarm unfurled in Ewan's chest. "Did ye now?" He crossed his arms, fighting the smile that wanted to break free. "Rather presumptuous of ye, lass."
"Perhaps."Maia moved toward him, that smile widening into a grin that made her whole face light up. "But I was right, wasnae I? Ye're here."
"I'm hereto tell ye that I'm too busy today. The lake will have to wait until?—"
"Tomorrow,"Maia finished, her tone suggesting she'd heard this particular excuse before. "Aye, ye've said that for three days now. But it's always tomorrow with ye, isnae it? Tomorrow ye'll have time, tomorrow the weather will be better, tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow." She planted her hands on her hips, herchin lifting in challenge. "Well, I'm tired of tomorrow. I wanttoday."
There wassomething fierce in her expression now, something determined and defiant. And beneath it, beneath the challenge and the demands, Ewan could see desperation.
She needed this.Needed to get out of the castle, needed to feel the sun on her face and the wind in her hair. Needed to remember that she was alive and free and more than the sum of Laura's cruel words.
Neededto feel like herself again, whoever that self was before her uncle had tried to crush it out of her.
How canI say nay to that? How can I look at her face and tell her tomorrow again?
"One hour,"he heard himself say, watching her face transform with joy. "And ye stay close to me. The lake's edge can be treacherous if ye daenae ken where to step."
Maia'swhole face lit up, that shadow in her eyes receding until she looked almost like the woman who'd chattered endlessly about rabbits during their journey. "Thank ye! Oh, thank ye! I promise I'll be careful, and I'll follow all yer rules."
"And ye'll stop chatterin'so we can actually get there before nightfall?" Ewan suggested dryly, though his chest felt warm and tight with something he refused to examine too closely.
"Aye."But Maia was already moving toward the door, practically bouncing with excitement. The change in her was remarkable—from the subdued, self-conscious woman who'd picked at her breakfast to this vibrant, eager creature who looked ready to run all the way to the lake if necessary.
