Even if itmeant wanting something she could never have.
Because these children needed her.And that was enough.
It had to be enough.
12
“Where’s the Laird?”
The words burstout of Piper the moment she stormed back through the castle gates, her fury propelling her forward with single-minded determination.
She’d leftConnor and Masie with Amara, citing the need to prepare for their afternoon lessons, but that was a lie. She needed to find Elijah. Needed to tell him exactly what she thought of his parenting. Needed to?—
Needed to what?Tell a laird how to raise his own children? Are ye mad?
Yes,he'd warned her not to interfere. But that was before she'd spent the morning with his children, before she'd heard the pain in their voices, before she'd seen how desperately they needed him. It has been a week since they told her how they feel, and the children have been getting more dejected as time passed.
She didn't careif he'd told her to mind her place. She didn't care if he was the Laird. Those children were hurting, and someone had to speak up for them. Piper couldn’t let them be like her – lonely, feeling unwanted, and unloved.
She’d madea promise to those children, and she meant to keep it. Even if it meant confronting their father. Even if it meant risking her position.
Even if itmeant facing the man who’d kissed her senseless last night and then fled like a coward.
A young guardlooked at her with wide eyes. “The Laird, miss?”
“Aye,the Laird. The man who runs this castle. Where is he?”
“I… I daenae ken.”
“Never mind.”Piper pushed past him and into the castle proper. Someone here would know where Elijah was. Someone had to.
She strode through the corridors,her heart pounding—though whether from anger or nerves, she couldn't say. Her hands trembled slightly at her sides, but she forced herself to keep moving forward. Servants pressed themselves against walls as she passed, their curious stares making her skin prickle with awareness.
Partof her wanted to turn back, to remember her place, to be the quiet, obedient girl her parents had beaten into submission.But then she thought of Connor's sad eyes and Masie's anger, and something in her chest tightened.
Those children neededsomeone to speak for them. And if no one else would... well, she'd already survived being sold, hunted, and nearly killed. What was one angry laird compared to that?
Still,her stomach churned with anxiety as she approached his study.
She turneda corner and nearly collided with a man coming the other way. A large man with dark hair and an amused expression that immediately set her teeth on edge.
“Well now,”the man said, his eyes twinkling. “Ye must be Miss Armstrong. The new governess everyone’s talkin’ about.”
“Yes.Yes, I am. I need to find the Laird,” Piper said without preamble. “Do ye ken where he is?”
“I might.”The man’s grin widened. “But first, perhaps ye should take a breath? Ye look like ye’re about to commit murder.”
“I’m about to commit somethin’if someone doesnae tell me where Elijah is right now.”
“Elijah, is it?”The man’s eyebrows rose. “Already on a first-name basis with the Laird? How interestin’.”
Piper feltheat creep up her neck. “Laird McMahon, then. Where is he?”
“His study.Down this corridor, third door on the left.” The man gestured. “But perhaps ye should?—”
Piper was already moving,her skirts swishing as she marched down the hallway. Behind her, she heard the man chuckle, but she didn’t care. Didn’t care about anything except getting to Elijah and telling him exactly what she thought of him.
The study door loomed ahead.Piper didn’t bother knocking; she grabbed the handle and shoved it open with enough force to make it bang against the wall.
