"Of course, a laird's work is never done," she answered as if trained to be the most obedient girl she could be. Killian turned on his heel and started for the side door. He had grown tired of the charade. And if one more councilman threw a niece or daughter at him, Killian was going to break. Only Leah would be able to put an end to the introductions, and the sooner she got there, the better off he'd be.
"Have ye seen Leah?" Killian asked a guard passing by. The guard shook his head.
"I believe she's still in her room," he answered. "I've nae seen her. But maybe others have?"
"Go and fetch her for me," Killian ordered. "Tell her I require her presence."
"And if she refuses to come?"
"See that she is left with nay other option," Killian whispered as he noticed four other council members, each vying for his attention. "Get her here, now."
"As ye wish."
26
Leah stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the way her hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders. Her heart raced, not just from the anticipation of the ceilidh but from the memories of her impulsive confession to Killian earlier that day. Had she truly thrown herself at him or merely revealed a truth that had been simmering for too long? She sighed, wiping her sweaty palms on her dress, feeling the weight of her decision bearing down on her.
Just as she was about to convince herself not to go to the ceilidh at all, a sharp knock on the door startled her. A jolt of hope raced through her veins.
Killian?
She rushed to the door as her heart pounded in her chest. As she grasped the handle of the door, her mind raced with possibilities.
The moment she opened the door, her heart sank into the abyss of her stomach. Standing there, with a warm smile and a bouquet of vibrant wildflowers, was Mason. His dark hair was tousled as if he'd just rolled out of bed, and a smile was plastered on his face. Leah noticed a hint of color in his cheeks that hadn't been there the last time she saw him.
"Leah, ye look lovely as ever," he said, his voice warm and inviting, "I brought ye these. I wasnae sure which flowers ye liked the most. But after all ye've done for me, I wanted to say thank ye."
She took the flowers and drew them to her nose. Inhaling the sweet scent of heather and daisies lulled a smile from her.
"Mason, they're beautiful," she exclaimed, genuinely touched by his thoughtfulness. A pang of regret jabbed at her as she studied him a moment. "I dinnae expect to see ye here, or even out of yer bed. Are ye sure yer well enough for this?"
"Well enough for a ceilidh, I assure ye. If ye think I'm goin' to miss out on this occasion, ye'll be sorely mistaken," Mason said.
"Ye sound as if there's somethin' to look forward to," Leah answered as she traded the flowers for her smock and threw it over her shoulders.
"Have ye nae heard? Killian is to pick a bride this very night or the council will pick one for him." There was a glee to Mason's tone that was off-putting.
"I may have heard somethin' like that," Leah answered as she took Mason's arm and walked with him down the hallway.
"But me brother is nae the only one with news," Mason said as Leah noticed the flush to his cheeks. She swallowed hard as her suspicions grew.
"Ye dinnae ask me to the ceilidh just to irk yer brother, did ye?"
"And if I were to say I'd do anythin' to irk me brother?"
"Ye need to bury that hatchet. Yer animosity toward yer bother will do ye nay good. Ye must learn to let things go, Mason. Ye'll find yerself so much happier once ye do."
"And let him have the happy ever after? Ha, I daenae think so. Tonight, I wanted ye by me side and I have ye. We daenae have to have it mean anythin' more than that. Besides, it's a chance to dance and mingle. Do ye have any idea how borin' it's been in the infirmary without any news or companionship?" Mason batted his eyes at Leah.
"I'm sure it was quite the ordeal," Leah answered as she fought back the chuckle tickling her throat. There was no denying Mason's infatuation for her, but as she walked beside him into the garden, it became clear their friendship was a ruse to irritate Killian. Leah hated being in the middle of their feud, but there was no other place for her to be.
"Ye have nay idea," Mason continued. "But I promised I'd escort ye, dinnae I? And here we are."
"Ye did, I just—" Leah hesitated as she instinctively homed in on Killian's whereabouts. Her heart sank as she spied him with a lovely blond woman with a petite figure and emerald dress that made her shimmer like the jewel she was. Jealousy chomped at Leah as she drew her attention back to Mason.
"I thought ye might need more time to recover."
"Nonsense!" Mason waved a hand dismissively, a grin spreading across his face. "Ye look stunnin' in that dress, if ye dinnae ken it already. It would be a pity for ye nae to show it off. It's like the colors of the heather blooming on the hillside."
