"She's nae," Killian interrupted.
"But if she is, then her job will be to get closer to ye. We need to work with that," Fraser said as he continued to plot. "I've got it. Treat her like one of the lasses in the tavern. Get handsy with her a bit. See how far she's willin' to let ye go. If there's nay boundaries, ye can be sure she's hired help."
"And if she passes this test of yers, will yer mistrust toward her be quelled?" Killian asked, arching a warning eyebrow.
"Aye," Fraser said begrudgingly. "But I'm tellin' ye, I daenae have a good feelin' about this one. The fact that so much has happened while she's been here, ye ken how I feel about coincidences."
"Ye have nothin' to worry about," Killian reassured Fraser with a sturdy pat on his shoulder. "Leah is loyal to me."
"And ye ken this how? Oh lord, please tell me ye dinnae already sleep with the lass," Fraser bemoaned. "She's gotten to yer head hasnae she? Already spinnin' her web of lies. And here ye are takin' it hook, line and sinker."
Killian grabbed Fraser by his shoulders and held the man in place. With a stern glare, Killian made certain to dispel all doubt from Fraser's mind.
"I'll do this for ye," Killian said, his tone stern and conviction tainting each word. "But when this is over, ye'll nae question Leah again. Is that understood?"
Fraser opened his mouth to say something but quickly slammed it closed. He pulled in a long, deep breath as he slowly bobbed his head. It was exactly the convicted answer Killian wanted, but he wasn't going to press the matter. At least, not until he had solid proof that Leah wasn't out to get him.
"Ye'll need to request somethin' so out of character for her that it'll be clear which side of this issue she is on," Fraser said.
"I ken what it is ye’re askin' me to do. Ye daenae need to be beatin' a dead horse," Killian huffed as he dropped his hands and started for the castle.
"Are ye sure about that? Because with yer track record, I'm goin' to have to say yer lack of interest in resolvin' the matter is rather questionable," Fraser said.
"And now ye’re startin' to sound like Alan," Killian chuckled darkly.
"Well, maybe that's nae such a bad thin'," Fraser said. "If he's the only person ye'll listen to."
"If ye think that Alan has issues with Leah, ye'll be sorely mistaken. Alan loves our new healer," Killian said as he pulled open the door.
"And I daenae think he's the only one," Fraser mumbled just loud enough for Killian's ears. Killian glared at Fraser and shook his head. It wasn't love rolling about inside Killian, was it?
Sure, he found it difficult to concentrate lately, but with everything going on around him, who could blame him? It was as if he was trying to play one hundred games of chess and struggling to keep up. However, there was one thing Killian was certain of above all things: Leah could be trusted.
"Watch yerself," Killian scolded as he flashed Fraser a warning glance. "I've agreed to test Leah, that doesnae mean that ye'll get to gloat over the outcome."
"Me? Gloat? I daenae ken what ye’re talkin' about," Fraser jested as movement caught Killian's attention. It was the flush of blue that drew his eye to the library. Leah strolled past the door with her nose in the book. Seeing her so relaxed made Killian's chest tighten and his breath hitch. She was the loveliest thing he had ever seen, and he knew that with each passing day, it would be harder for him to let her go.
"Aye," Killian managed to get out as Fraser shook his head the moment he spotted Leah.
"Ye gonna keep pretendin' that there's nothin' goin' on between the two of ye?" Fraser grumbled as Killian felt his judgmental glare on his back.
"There's nothin' that ye need to be concerned over," Killian answered. "The relationship is merely a ruse, and nothin' more. She'll be the one to help weed out me foes."
"And if she ends up bein' one of yer foes?" Fraser pressed.
"She's nae."
"Then prove it," Fraser hissed in Killian's ear. "See for yerself just how far she's willin' to go for ye. Every lass has a threshold, ye just need to find hers and when ye do, ye'll ken whether she's loyal to ye or nae."
"I already ken she's loyal to me," Killian said over his shoulder. "This test is to prove it to ye. And I'm goin' to hold ye to yer word. She passes and ye'll leave her be."
"Aye," Fraser grumbled as he let out a heavy sigh. "Ye have me word. She passes and I'll even walk her down the aisle meself."
"Then the deal is struck," Killian said. "I will prove to ye, Leah is an honorable woman and ye'll be owin' her an apology soon enough."
11
Leah's breath caught in her throat as she stepped into the Great Hall. The air was rich with roasted meats and tension. Out of the corner of her eyes, she noticed the flickering candlelight dancing across the stone walls.
