The men continued their chatter, and Maisie responded with quiet grace, her heart torn between duty and the memory of a man she could not forget.
One of the suitors leaned closer, his hand brushing against her leg under the table. At first, she tried to ignore it, forcing a polite smile, but when he pressed further, her patience snapped.
"Back off!" she exclaimed, her voice sharp and clear. "I have the right to choose who I get close to, and ye are nae that person!"
The man recoiled, eyes wide, as Maisie stood and stormed out of the parlor, her heart racing with indignation.
She hurried through the corridors, seeking refuge from the suffocating air of polite society, until she found the castle gardens bathed in soft afternoon sunlight.
The familiar scent of roses and freshly cut grass brought a brief, comforting smile to her lips. Her eyes caught sight of her young nephew, chasing after a ball with eager energy, his laughter ringing like bells in the warm air. Maisie hurried to him, kneeling and scooping him into her arms, feeling a moment of pure joy in the simplicity of his presence.
He giggled and wriggled free, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward the open lawn.
"Come on, Aunt Maisie! Catch me if ye can!" he shouted, his small feet pounding across the soft grass.
Maisie laughed, the sound light and freeing, as she joined in his game, letting herself run and chase him through the flower beds and hedges. For a fleeting moment, the weight of her heartache and frustration melted away, replaced by the innocent delight of play and family.
She tossed a ball and watched as he kicked it toward the fountain, his face flushed with excitement. Maisie knelt on the grass, adjusting her skirts so she could move freely, and called after him. He turned, grinning, and ran back, arms outstretched, while she lifted him into a spinning hug that left them both dizzy with laughter.
In that simple joy, Maisie felt a pang of longing for the days she had spent at McGibb Castle, running with Arran and Hugh under Norah's smile and Caiden's watchful eyes.
As the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the gardens, Maisie leaned against the stone balustrade and watched her nephew play. Her mind wandered to the other children she missed dearly, and she felt the ache of absence in her chest.
The memory of the laughter and camaraderie at McGibb Castle returned vividly, reminding her of a time when life had beenvery complicated, and she had been allowed to feel at home. She pressed her hand to her heart, silently wishing that those moments, full of warmth and simple happiness, could return to her once more.
The great hall of Castle McGowan was alive with the warmth of torches and the aroma of a hearty supper, filling every corner with a sense of life and comfort. Long wooden tables groaned under the weight of roasted venison, golden haggis, steaming bowls of root vegetables, and baskets of fresh-baked bread.
Tankards of ale and goblets of rich red wine were passed around, and platters of buttered rolls and oat cakes glimmered in the torchlight. For the first time since her return, Maisie felt the pull of family and tradition, the communal laughter and chatter enveloping her like a warm blanket.
Since arriving home, she had been taking her meals quietly in her chambers, claiming she needed rest after her ordeal. Now, seated in the great hall, she felt the eyes of the clan on her, curious and welcoming, and a flutter of unease stirred in her chest.
Theodore, tall and imposing, stood at the head of the table, his voice carrying easily across the hall.
"I am glad me sister-in-law is returned to us," he began, his tone firm but warm. Cheers and applause erupted from the gathered family and retainers, echoing off the stone walls.
Theodore's expression darkened as he continued, "We have a problem with bandits, and I willnae tolerate it. Whoever dares to threaten our lands and kin will answer to me, mark me words."
His gaze swept across the hall, firm and commanding, leaving no doubt that he meant every word.
Maisie felt a chill despite the warmth of the hall, her stomach knotting as she glanced around. A sudden pang of fear gripped her. If anyone learned the truth of her own ordeal, that she had been taken by the Laird McGibb, chaos could erupt.
She pressed her hands lightly on her lap, forcing a calm expression while her heart hammered. Her mind raced with the delicate balance she must maintain, careful not to reveal the secret she had buried deep.
Beside her, Lavina leaned closer, her voice a gentle whisper. "Maisie, are ye truly all right? Ye can trust me with whatever happened, for I am yer sister."
Maisie forced a smile, shaking her head slightly. "There is nothin' to tell, Lavina," she said softly, keeping her tone light and untroubled. "Tell me, when do ye think ye'll give birth?"
Lavina's face brightened at the question, her eyes sparkling as she placed a hand over her swelling belly.
"Och, I feel it will be soon, mayhap in a month's time or so," she said, her voice full of wonder and hope. "I cannae wait to holdour bairn, to see what they will be like, to raise them together." Her smile widened, and she glanced toward Theodore with love in her eyes, speaking of the future they would build.
Maisie watched her sister, heart aching as she imagined the joy that awaited them. Each word and gesture made the longing inside her burn brighter, a bitter ache of desire and loss. She would never bear Caiden's children, would never have that future she craved with him, and the thought left her chest heavy with sorrow. For a moment, she closed her eyes, pressing her fingertips to the table, and tried to swallow the ache that threatened to show in her expression.
The hall continued around her; laughter, clinking of tankards, and lively conversation filling the space with life. Maisie's gaze wandered to the flickering torchlight on the stone walls, thinking of distant McGibb corridors where she had walked with Caiden, of moments of firelight and heated glances.
She forced herself to join the conversation at the table, to laugh softly when Lavina made a witty remark about her craving for tea. Still, beneath her composed exterior, the memory of her own stolen moments with Caiden stirred, a flame she could not quench, a desire she could not voice.
Why can I nae release him?
