“I wanted to thank ye,” he said quietly, and Jeane startled, surprised. He barely spoke to her, usually focusing on Lottie and Fergus.
“Thank me? For what?”
“For what ye’re doin’ for Lottie. She’s been sick for months, on and off ,” he explained. “She’s in much better spirits these days.”
Jeane hummed, trying to decide whether to interfere in this young relationship. It was not her business, but…
“She thinks ye daenae want her,” Jeane blurted out.
Lottie had become a friend, and she wanted to give Aiden the push he needed.
Aiden startled, nearly dropping the reins. He did not look back at her, but his shoulders were stiff.
“She’s me Laird’s sister,” Aiden said.
“So ye daenae want her?” Jeane asked, pushing further.
Aiden’s jaw clenched, but he did not respond.
“She loves ye, ye ken.”
Aiden stiffened even further. “Ye shouldnae say things ye daenae ken about.”
“And who says I daenae ken? Lottie has become a friend to me. I ken what she wants. And she wants ye, Aiden. She’s dyin’ for ye to court her.”
“Me Laird would never give me permission,” Aiden mumbled.
“I daenae if yer right about that,” Jeane said, and she thought about saying more, but she could smell the loch, knew they were close.
So the two remained silent as they rode up.
Fergus stood at the front of the castle, pacing back and forth.
Aiden winced as he stepped down, but Fergus ignored him. He jerked the door of the carriage open, startling Jeane.
“Where the bloody hell have ye been?” Fergus demanded, and Jeane lifted her chin in defiance, not moving to get out of the carriage.
“I was workin’. Ye said I wasnae yer prisoner, didnae ye?”
Fergus let out a harsh breath and took her hand, pulling her out of the carriage. Jeane stumbled but then caught her feet, wrenching away from him.
“Daenae touch me.”
Something passed over Fergus’ face so quickly she could not quite tell what it was. Then his face went blank, like stone.
“If ye leave the castle, ye must have Aiden accompany ye.”
He glared at Aiden, and the younger man hung his head.
Jeane huffed. “Ye cannae control everythin’ I do.”
“Aye? Watch me,” Fergus growled, and Jeane threw up her hands in frustration, stalking past him into the castle.
Anger rushed through her, making her skin heat up. Who did Fergus think he was, anyway? He was not her fatherorher husband. He had no right to keep her locked away.
“He’s just bein’ protective,” Lottie said quietly, and Jeane nearly jumped out of her body, startled.
Lottie stood behind the door, peeking around it sheepishly.
