Here,at least, she had freedom. Had Kian's laughter and Aisla's friendship and Ewan's?—
What?What exactly did she have from Ewan?
Protection,certainly. A comfortable room and fine food and the promise that she wouldn't be locked away. But there was something else too, something she couldn't quite name. The way he looked at her sometimes, like she was a puzzle he was trying to solve. The way he'd defended her against Laura without hesitation. The way his voice had gone rough when he'd called her strong.
"Well,I'm glad ye're settlin' in," Aisla said, returning her attention to the loom. "And I'm glad ye're here. It's nice havin' another woman around who isnae afraid to speak her mind. Gods ken Laura never did anythin' but simper and scheme."
At the mention of Laura,Maia's hands stilled on the threads. "Do ye think, do ye think she'll come back? Even though Ewan banned her?"
"Nae if she has any sense."Aisla's expression hardened. "The laird made it very clear she was nae welcome. And her father—well, he's nae pleased about the situation, but he kens better than to push too hard. The McGill clan is powerful, and we've done nothin' to deserve his daughter's spite."
Aisla returned to her weaving."Now stop worryin' about nonsense and focus on yer stitches. Ye're pullin' too tight again."
Maia triedto focus on the blanket, tried to lose herself in the rhythm of the work.
All she knew was that being here—weaving a blanket in McGill colors, surrounded by women who treated her like a friend instead of an inconvenience—felt more like home than Castle MacMahon ever had.***
The letter crumpledin Ewan's fist, the parchment crackling with the force of his grip.
"That bastard,"he growled, the words coming out low and dangerous. "That absolute bastard."
Leon shifted uncomfortablyin his chair across the desk. "I take it the response from MacMahon wasnae what ye were hopin' for?"
"Read it."Ewan threw the crumpled letter across the desk. "Read it and tell me if ye think I should be calm about this."
Leon smoothedout the parchment and began to read, his expression growing progressively darker with each line. When he finally looked up, his jaw was tight.
"Christ,Ewan. This is?—"
"An insult,"Ewan finished coldly. "A deliberate, calculated insult."
Leon read aloudfrom the letter, his voice carefully neutral:
"'Laird McGill,I received yer demands regardin' the return of me niece. I must inform ye that I will nae be meetin' yer terms under any circumstances. The girl is of nay value to me—indeed, ye've done me a favor by removin' her from me household. She was nothin' but a burden, a useless mouth to feed who contributed nothin' to the clan's wellbein'.'"
Ewan's handsclenched into fists on his desk. He'd already read those words a dozen times, had memorized every cruel syllable.But hearing them spoken aloud made the fury surge fresh and hot through his veins.
Leon continued:
"'If ye're expectin'me to pay ransom for her return, ye're a fool. I'd sooner see her rot in yer dungeons than waste good coin on her worthless hide. In fact, I'd be willin' to pay ye to keep her, if only to be rid of her entirely'."
"Keep going,"Ewan said through gritted teeth.
"'As for yerthreats of war, bring it. Me clan is prepared to defend our borders, and we willnae be intimidated by yer posturin'. Ye want reparations for the raid? Come and take them. But ken that if ye do, ye'll be startin' a conflict that will end in blood and fire for both our clans.'"
Leon set down the letter."And then he signs it. Nay apology, nay attempt at negotiation. Just?—"
"Just confirmation of everythin'Maia tried to tell me," Ewan finished bitterly. "That he doesnae care about her. That she's worthless to him. That he'd rather see her dead than admit she has any value."
Leon was quiet for a moment."So what do ye want to do?"
"What I should have donethe moment I read this piece of shite." Ewan stood, pacing to the window.
The afternoon sunwas slanting through, painting the study in shades of gold, but he barely noticed. "I want to organize a raid. A proper one this time, nae just a quick strike. I want to hit his borders hard enough that he feels it. Hard enough that his clan starts questionin' whether he's fit to lead them."
"Ye want war."Leon's voice was careful, neutral.
"I want justice."Ewan turned back to face him. "He killed three of our men. Burned two cottages. Stole our livestock. And when I took his niece, the one person who should have been precious to him, he called her worthless. Told me to keep her or kill her, he doesnae care which."
