“I’ve offended ye?”
“Ye put me in an awkward position, lass. Isna my sympathy enough? Now ye ask me to deceive my laird?”
“I am desperate and very much alone here. What purpose could he possibly have for keeping me?”
“Ye are not alone. I am here, and there are others who understand why ye abandoned John. Some who respect yer fidelity to Alex over yer duty to yer sire.”
“Then why havena they made themselves known?”
“And risk losing their place in Clan MacKay? Come now, lass. Ye know better.”
“We were friends, Jamie.”
“Aye. As far as I am concerned, we still are.”
“May I ask a favor?”
“If it is within my power to give.”
Keely walked to the table and poured herself a cup of water. She took a sip, then offered Jamie a drink. He refused. “Make up an excuse for why I canna see Alex.”
He frowned at her request. “Nay.”
“Please.”
“Begging for the impossible is below ye, Keely. Ye’re a brave lass. Face him with courage and speak yer mind. He respects honesty more than cunning.”
She snorted. “Alex doesna wish me to think, only to obey.”
Understanding flashed in his eyes. “Coming home has reopened his old wounds. Show him that a future here is better than going back to Constantinople.”
“From what I hear, the council has tried over and over again and failed. Maybe he belongs there.”
Jamie immediately straightened. “Never say that again.”
“But he left. At least I stayed in the Highlands.”
“If ye consider Dunrobin Castle part of Scotland. Many believe it belongs to England.”
She threw her hands up in frustration. “I yield.”
“Then grab yer cloak and let us go to Laird Alex.”
Keely wrapped the length of brown wool around her shoulders. What did Alex want? They’d made their opinions of each other clear, and their intentions. She followed Jamie belowstairs, through the great hall where the few men and servants gathered stared at her in revilement but dinna utter a sound, then outside and through the bailey.
“Where is he,” Keely asked.
“He’s waiting at the loch.”
“Is that where the laird conducts clan affairs now?”
Jamie stopped. “If ye wish to soothe Alex, keep yer biting remarks to yerself. Remember, ye’re a constant reminder of the past, a past we want him to forget.”
“Perhaps it would have been better if Angus killed me.”
“Nay. Alex saved ye for a reason.”
Aye, which only confused Keely, because she was sure Alex wanted her dead and gone.
