Chapter Eighteen
Aidam pushed himself off the wall and gave Duncan a curt nod as the man left the Great Hall. Duncan was a good enough man, but he would follow Aidam’s uncle blindly. It was not a trait Aidam aspired to emulate. He began to make his way to the head table glaring at his uncle as he quickened his stride.
“Do ye really think that was necessary, uncle?” he asked, forcing himself to not trail after Ellie to ensure she was all right. Instead, he would stay and try to reason with his uncle. He wondered what the old man could have possibly hoped to gain by humiliating her in such a manner.
“Do ye dare tell me how to run me own house?” Sinclair challenged. Up close, Aidam could see the vein in his neck popping with anger. Aidam wondered if his uncle would be less inclined to anger were he less in his cups. But it would do no one any good to point that out.
“Lady Heloise was only trying to help,” he replied.
“And what makes ye think I need a wee lass’s help in managing me own daughter? She was puttin’ herself intae business where she doesnae belong.”
“So now, as her punishment, she is to be a prisoner for life?”
“She should nay have given Jemina leave to dine, alone, with the MacGuire lad.” Sinclair crossed his arms and looked away. Aidam knew his uncle planned less than honest business dealings with the MacGuire. But he also knew that mattered for nothing.
“I think yer bein’ a little harsh with the lass,” Aidam countered. “Ye and MacGuire are always trading jabs back and forth and trying to trick the other out of money or livestock. Jemina will be ready to marry soon, and Colin MacGuire is as good a choice as any other. The way I see it, Lady Heloise did ye a service by encouraging the pair of them.”
“Ye seem awful interested in me bride-to-be, lad,” Sinclair said, narrowing his eyes. Aidam’s blood ran cold. He had seen his uncle level that exact same gaze upon men who he then threw in the dungeons or worse. It was not a good feeling to be on the receiving end of the Laird’s wrath.
“Only concerned for the lass, uncle.” There was a time when Aidam would have never challenged his uncle in the Great Hall. Sinclair was the Laird of their clan, and whether Aidam agreed with his decisions or not, what he said was law. As family, it was Aidam’s job to support his uncle’s actions in front of the clan at all times. That was before the old man chastised and humiliated Ellie in front of every remaining member of the clan. He refused to allow the Laird to be a bully. It was not their clan way. Whatever had gotten into his uncle as of late was unfamiliar to Aidam.
“Well, as yer so concerned, ye can keep an eye on her. I’ve sent Duncan to see to me daughter. As for Lady Heloise, I’m done with the lass. No matter how bonny she may be, she has too much of a mouth on her and too many opinions. Mayhap if ye were doin’ as I asked and keepin’ guard over her, she would nay be runnin’ around actin’ like the lady of the keep before we’re even wed.”
“Ye want me to do what exactly?”
“She is to stay in her room. Keep her there. If ye dae nae think ye can do it, lad, I can send another man?” his uncle challenged.
Aidam knew the last thing Ellie needed was a guard, especially not him. Aidam shook his head. He could not argue with his uncle on that point. But he knew guarding Ellie was not wise. He had been assigned to guard Ellie before but left the post to another, knowing that his proximity to the lass would be dangerous for them both. He wanted her, and if his behavior in the cottage were any indication, he would not be able to control himself were he to be guarding her all day and all night. Yet, how could he keep her locked up? She didn’t deserve his uncle’s harsh treatment. The last thing Aidam wanted to be a part of was her punishment. Yet, he knew if he refused, it would give his uncle cause for suspicion. Or worse, would the Laird would put another clansman on her chamber door, one who would not be kind to Ellie, or perhaps one who would abuse his position. Aidam had no choice. Were to protect her, he would have to do as his uncle demanded and without argument.
“Aye, uncle.” He bowed and left the keep. There was no point in discussing anything further with his uncle. The Laird clearly had his mind made up. Aidam did not know why Sinclair seemed to dislike his bride-to-be so much. Surely it wasn’t all over Jemina sharing a simple meal in a populated village with a MacGuire. No, there had to be more to it. But Aidam could not concern himself with his uncle’s motivations. Not when Ellie was to be kept under lock and key, and he was chosen as her jailor. He had to go to her, and no matter what, they had to figure out what to do.
* * *
Ellie paced the bedchamber floor. She could clearly only bring a few items with her. If she left right at that moment and made her way through the darkness toward MacAskill land, she could be home in two days' time. Of course, she had no coin, so she would have to sleep out of doors. She wouldn’t be able to stop at the inn. And besides, if Sinclair followed her or sent his clansmen after her, they would be looking in the villages along the way. He would never suspect she would make her bed in the forest or meadows along the way.
It’s settled then. I will leave tonight,she thought, looking at the chest by the window that held her gowns and day dresses. Perhaps it would be better if she wore men’s clothes. She had only traveled with a small selection of her clothing, and once she arrived home, she could quickly change back into one of the dresses she left behind. Dressed as a lad, she would be less obvious than a lady traveling alone and safer. Sinclair would never suspect she would wear men’s clothing.
She knew exactly where she could get her hands on men’s clothing. She peered out of her bedchamber door and looked around. It seemed odd that Sinclair did not put a guard on her door after banishing her, but Ellie wasn’t going to waste time worrying about why.
She lifted her skirt so the swishing of her long gown would not cause any unnecessary noise through the quiet corridor. Her nerve was beginning to fade as she approached Aidam’s bedchamber.
What if he were inside? How would she explain herself? Was she brave enough to follow through with her plan? Ellie took a deep breath, deciding she had no choice.
Were her father alive, she could write him a letter, implore him to come to her aid. Of course, were her father alive, she would not be in her current situation, to begin with. No, she decided. She was on her own, and she had no choice but to follow through and escape Sinclair Keep. She could not leave her fate to the Laird.
She quietly pushed the door to Aidam’s chamber open. There was a faint glow from the hearth. She crept toward the chest under the window where she had seen his neatly folded clothes.
Carefully she opened the chest, treating it as if it were a delicate jewelry box holding priceless treasures. She felt a momentary pang of guilt for taking Aidam’s belongings for her own purpose and without his permission. However, her guilt faded, replaced with bittersweet longing as she was instantly assaulted with the rough, leather, and musky, almost sweet masculine scent that she had come to associate with Aidam.
She brought a shirt to her nose and took in a deep breath, letting out a small sigh. If only he felt something for her instead of his mystery lass. If only their circumstances were different. Aidam had come to mean something to her. Something deeper than the friendship of their youth.
There was no point in dwelling on what could never be. Sighing, Ellie tucked the shirt into her lap and, remembering her purpose, started to look for a pair of suitable breeches. A warm pressure on her shoulder snapped her to attention. Suddenly, she was being lifted. It happened so fast the clothes fell to the ground as she attempted to wrestle free of the grasp that now held her tight.
“Wha—”
A hard hand clamped over her mouth, stifling her attempt to scream.
