They madetheir way through the castle, and Maia found herself growing more curious with each step. What kind of surprise? And why was Ewan being so mysterious about it?
When they reachedthe great hall, Ewan pushed open the door and gestured for Maia to enter first.
She stepped inside,looking around for whatever the surprise might be?—
And froze.
Standing near the hearth,looking nervous and hopeful and achingly familiar, was Mollie.
"Mollie?"Maia's voice came out as barely a whisper. "Mollie!"
Then she was running,her skirts gathered in her hands, crossing the hall in a rush that would have mortified Ewan but that she couldn't bring herself to care about. She crashed into Mollie with enough force to make them both stumble, wrapping her arms around her friend and holding on tight.
"Ye're here,"Maia gasped, tears streaming down her face. "Ye're really here. I thought—when Ewan told me ye were safe, I believed him, but I dinnae think I'd actually get to see ye again."
"Hush now,"Mollie said, her own voice thick with tears as she hugged Maia back just as fiercely. "Of course I'm here. Did ye really think I'd let ye face all this alone?"
Maia pulled back just enoughto look at her friend's face, needing to see with her own eyes that Mollie was truly unharmed. "But how? Why? I daenae understand."
"The laird sent for me,"Mollie explained, wiping at her eyes. "Sent a message sayin' that if I wanted to stay with ye, I could. That ye needed a friend here, someone who kens ye and cares about ye. And I—" She smiled through her tears. "I wouldnae be anywhere else."
Fresh tears spilleddown Maia's cheeks. "I daenae deserve ye."
"Nonsense. Ye deserve the world."Mollie pulled her into another hug. "And I'm goin' to help ye claim it."
Over Mollie's shoulder,Maia caught sight of Ewan standing near the door, his arms crossed but his expression soft as he watched their reunion. When their eyes met, he gave her a small nod that was an acknowledgment, maybe, or a silentye're welcome.
Maia mouthed "thank ye,"and saw his lips curve into a proper smile this time.
"Now,"Mollie said, pulling back and wiping at her eyes with more determination. "The laird has explained the rules to me. There will be guards watchin' to make sure I daenae let any MacMahon men into the castle, as if I would! And I'm to report any suspicious activity immediately. Which is fine by me, because after what yer uncle did to ye, I'd sooner die than help that man."
"Mollie."
"I mean it,Maia. I've agreed to all the laird's terms. I want to be here. I want to help ye. And if that means followin' some rules, then so be it." Mollie's expression turned mischievous. "Besides, the laird has been very accommodatin'. I have me own chamber, it is small but comfortable, and I'm to be paid regular wages for actin' as yer lady's maid. It's a better position than I had at Castle MacMahon, truth be told."
"Lady's maid?"Maia blinked. "But I daenae need one."
"Ye do, actually,"Ewan said, speaking for the first time since they'd entered the hall. He moved closer, his heavy boots echoing on the stone floor. "Every lady needs a proper maid. And since ye're currently masqueradin' as me betrothed, it would look strange if ye dinnae have one."
Maia flushed,remembering the lie she'd told Laura. The lie that had somehow become an accepted truth throughout the castle. "I suppose that makes sense."
"It does."Ewan's gaze moved between the two women. "Mollie, I need ye to help Miss Maia get ready for an outin'. Somethin' practical and warm, we're goin' to the mountains."
Maia's headsnapped toward him. "The mountains? Today? Right now?"
"Aye.Unless ye've changed yer mind about wantin' to explore them?"
"Nay!I mean, aye! I mean—" Maia took a breath, trying to organize her thoughts through the chaos of emotions swirling in her chest.
Joy at seeing Mollie.Gratitude toward Ewan for bringing her here. Excitement about finally getting to see the mountains up close. "I havenae changed me mind. I want to go. I've been wantin' to go since I first saw them."
"Then go get ready."Ewan's tone was amused. "And Maia? Try nae to take too long. The sun will be settin' in a few hours."
Maia didn't needto be told twice. She grabbed Mollie's hand and practically dragged her friend from the hall, already talking a mile a minute about everything that had happened since she'd arrived at Castle McGill.
Thirty minutes later,Maia stood in the courtyard dressed in her warmest wool dress and a thick cloak Aisla had produced from somewhere. Her hair was braided back, a testament to Mollie's handiwork, and she was practically bouncing with excitement.
"Ye look happy,"Ewan observed as he approached, leading two horses. "Happier than I've seen ye in days."
