"Miss Leah, Master Mason is requestin' yer presence inside," the servant said. Leah couldn't help but feel a jolt of dread crash into her.
"What has happened?" Leah asked in unison with Elsie.
"Nothin', in fact I think ye'll find him in high spirits today," the servant said with a spark to his eye that made Leah cautious.
"It must be lovely havin' the brothers eatin' out of the palm of yer hands," Elsie teased as she tried to hide the grin that seemed to stretch across her lips uncontrollably.
"Give it a rest already," Leah called over her shoulder as she followed the servant back to the castle.
Leah's heart fluttered wildly with anticipation. She wracked her brain, trying to figure out why Mason would summon her, yet nothing came to mind, no matter how hard she pressed. As they passed servants, Leah couldn't shake the feeling that something earth-shattering was about to happen, and she couldn't stop it.
"Here we are," the servant said as he pulled open the door. Leah's eyes widened as she stepped into the dimly lit room.Despite the brilliant morning light radiating outside, the room looked deliberately darkened and dreary.
"Is there someone in here?" Leah asked, trying to mask the intimidation brewing within. She peered into the dark, blinking until her eyes adjusted to the light. In the center of the room, Leah spotted the round table and a figure sitting and waiting.
"Leah? Aye, do come in." Mason's voice rang through, giving Leah a bit more courage to go deeper. She swallowed hard as she drew closer. Mason's wide, friendly smile greeted her as the servant threw open the curtain, letting the light pour into the room.
Leah let out an audible gasp. The room was far more lovely than she was expecting. Garlands of flowers and ferns decorated the ceiling and doorway.
"Oh, Mason, this is lovely," she cooed as she turned to find him sitting straight in his seat instead of the bed she'd been so familiar seeing him in.
"I was hopin' ye'd like it," he said as he motioned for the empty chair. "Please, join me."
"This is a very pleasant surprise. I must say, I was nae expectin' to see ye out of —"
"Bed," Mason finished for Leah, a bit overly zealous. "Aye, well, ye gave me inspiration to rise to the occasion. After all, what sort of escort would I be if I couldnae get ye through the door?"
"Escort?" Leah asked as she watched him carefully pour the tea. "Surely ye’re nae talkin' about the ceilidh. I thought ye wanted me to spend time with ye in the infirmary?"
"Well, I figured that wouldnae be too much fun," Mason said as he took a sip from his tea. "Besides, me brother will be engaged before dinner."
"Is that right? And how do ye ken this?" Leah asked as she found her heart fluttering out of control. She didn't know if she would be thrilled to know Killian's plan or if she wanted it to be a surprise.
"Alan," Mason answered. "He's all but signed the paperwork. Killian is to be married to the daughter of Laird of Eisner."
The news was like an arrow to her heart. Suddenly, everything made sense. Why Killian had been so cold to her since they came back from the village. It wasn't that he didn't want her; it was the fact he'd made a plan B without telling her. Leah wasn't sure if she should be relieved to be off the hook for marriage or outraged after how much time and energy she had put into Killian only to have him shun her.
"Leah? Oh dear, is the tea too hot? I thought I had cooled it," Mason said as Leah found herself gagging on the water as Killian's news seeped through her.
"I think it was the leaves," Leah choked out as she looked into her cup to find a layer of herbs floating on the surface. Mollified, Mason snapped his fingers and barked orders to clear the dish from Leah.
"Me word, I am so sorry," Mason said, his voice pitched with worry.
"It's fine," Leah said, hoping to calm Mason down a bit. "It's nae the first time, and I'm sure when I get older, it willnae be the last."
"Here I was tryin' to make the moment special, and I've gone and blown it sky high," Mason grumbled as he leaned back in his chair, defeated.
"What were ye tryin' to do?" Leah asked as she did a double take around the room. It became clear that the over-the-top decorations and fancy tea were an attempt to impress. Unfortunately for Mason, he didn't inherit his brother's charisma.
"It doesnae matter," Mason said, waving his hand as he sat straighter. "Must nae dwell on mistakes. One must learn and move forward."
"Mason, what is really goin' on here?" Leah asked as she shifted in her seat. There was an uneasiness brewing within her she couldn't explain. "What ye've done is truly lovely, it is. But why do I get the feelin' there is somethin' more goin' on here?"
Leah steadied herself. No matter what Mason was about to confess, she'd take it and then clear the air. The last thing she wanted to do was cause problems between Killian and Mason or drive a wedge further between them.
"Well, I had asked ye before to accompany me to the ceilidh, and I wasnae too pleased with how I went about doin' it. I should have been more thoughtful, I just daenae like seein’ ye with my brother. It’s nae jealousy, its safety. Ye just deanae ken my braither as well as ye think ye do. And I donnae want to see ye get hurt. He can be quite brutal at times.”
"Mason," Leah paused. She didn't know exactly what she was going to say. It wasn't like she could tell him the truth about what was going on. How would she even begin? She pulled in a long, deep breath as she tried to sort through what to say. "I think ye’re a very nice young man."
