Ellie reached out and gave Jemina a quick hug. “Thank ye,” she said.
“For what?”
“For everything ye’ve done for me and Aidam both. I ken it isn’t easy for ye.”
Jemina gave Ellie a small smile. “Ye love each other,” she said. “Love should conquer all.”
Ellie looked at Aidam, who gave Van detailed instructions on how to get back to the horses. He had not heard what Jemina said, but Ellie knew for her at least it was true. She loved Aidam Sinclair, and even though she could only hope he loved her as well, as soon as this night was over, she would confess her love to him. It was too strong for her to keep inside any longer.
“Be gone with ye both, now,” she said, as Aidam rejoined her. “We have a battle to stop.”
* * *
They raced through the keep, with Aidam keeping a tight grip on Ellie’s hand as she led the way. Thankfully, they had had luck on their side thus far, but Aidam knew his uncle would not give in lightly. He was determined to claim what he considered his. Aidam had never seen the man this possessed.
They arrived at what Aidam could safely assume was the old Laird’s study. The house was just starting to stir with the sounds of morning, and a faint glow from under the door disrupted by the shadows of movement told them the room was occupied.
Ellie bade him come closer as she leaned against the door frame quietly. The voices coming from inside were faint, but he could clearly tell it was a man and a woman, and they were in a heated, low discussion.
“Do ye think they are fighting?” he asked Ellie in a whisper.
“They are discussing something, and it seems intense. Blast these thick doors, if only we could crack it just a bit. I could hear more.”
“Perhaps we should simply enter,” he offered. “After all, we have the element of surprise.”
“Would we not risk yer uncle’s temper, were we to barge in?” she replied. “The nephew he thinks is locked away in his dungeon and the fiancé he left tied to a tree?”
Aidam shrugged. “What do we have to lose, lass?”
Ellie seemed to be contemplating his idea when something smashed against the door. Aidam quickly pulled Ellie to him and covered her just in case his uncle came barrelling out.
“What the—”
“I think their discussion just got a tad bit more heated,” he said.
“Lachlan, ye cannae be serious!” Aidam could hear the raw anger in Lady MacAskill’s voice. “Ye mean to take what doesnae belong to ye! Do ye hate me that much!”
“Aye, woman,” Sinclair replied. “I hate ye to me verra core. Ye’re nothing but a liar and a cheat!”
Aidam looked at Ellie, expecting to see the same surprise on her face as he felt, but she had her head in her hands. It was as if she knew the reason behind his uncle’s harsh words.
“Ellie?” he asked. “Do ye ken what’s goin’ on?”
“Aye,” she admitted. “I have an idea.”
“I offered ye my daughter,” Lady MacAskill said. “My verra flesh and blood as a peace offering.”
“And that’s what ye think I want, woman! A poor substitute. Lady Heloise doesnae want an old man for a husband any more than I want a wee bairn for a wife. Ye ken what ye were doin’ when ye made the agreement. I was fool enough to go along with it, but now the lass wised up and made up her own mind, I’ll be taken what’s owed me. Ye can give it over with no fight or with a fight. My men are outside the keep. The choice is yers.”
Aidam was relieved to hear his uncle say he did not want Ellie. But he was still confused about what his uncle did want and why he was filled with such rage.
“Lachlan…” Lady MacAskill begged. “If ye ever loved me…”
“Sara,” Sinclair said. “Don’t—"
Aidam turned toward Ellie with his eyes wide. That was what she had wanted to tell him. That was what drove his uncle’s rage. They had been lovers. Ellie gave him a curt nod. Her eyes were filling with tears, and before he could stop her, she opened the door.
