Elspeth returned the affectionate greeting. “Violet, me dear lass, it is so lovely to have ye,” she gushed, while Keira stopped eating, swallowing the last bite as quickly as she could, then proceeding to get up and wait for her moment to be introduced to this lady.
As Violet engaged the room with her affable charm, Keira’s fingers fidgeted with her dress, and she found herself involuntarily adjusting her posture, trying to match the woman’s grace.
“Violet, may I present to ye one of Raphael’s friends who… unexpectedly decided to join us.” Elspeth introduced Keira in a way she hadn’t really expected, but once those words were out, it was difficult to take them back. “This is Lady Keira Webster. She comes to us all the way from England.”
“England?” Violet repeated in surprise, her dark eyelashes fluttering delicately. “That is a long way.”
“It is.” Keira smiled. “But no path is insurmountable when there is a will.”
“Indeed.” Violet seemed to nod. “Is it very different here from where ye are from?”
“Very.” Keira nodded. “But in a good way.”
Violet smiled, and so did Raphael’s mother.
“Good, I see ye two will have a lot to talk about before the cèilidh, seein’ that both of ye will be stayin’ with us until the other guests arrive. And I shall see to it that everythin’ is prepared, dearie.” Elspeth assured Violet of something Keira was oblivious to.
“I’m certain ye will.” Violet beamed as Elspeth took her hands into her own.
Keira waited to hear the clarification of this unexpected development, which followed immediately, as Elspeth could hardly contain her delight.
“Just imagine… in a fortnight, it will be known to all that Raphael and ye are to marry!”
12
Raphael sat at his desk, poring over a map carefully laid out before him. Across from him, Dallas, his devoted man-at-arms, leaned in attentively.
“We’ve received fresh intelligence on the man we’re trackin’, Dallas,” Raphael said, a note of urgency in his voice. “He’s been elusive, but this might be our chance.”
He did everything to focus on the task at hand, but that was more difficult than he’d initially thought. Keira kept permeating his thoughts at every turn, even during a conversation as grave as this one, where not a single mistake could be allowed, for that might mean the difference between life and death.
Dallas leaned closer, studying the markings on the map intently. “What is the plan, m’Laird?”
Raphael traced a path with his finger on the map. “Our source mentioned a hamlet near the border. It is likely that he has taken refuge there, blending in. If this proves to be true, we must go there quickly and quietly. We cannae afford to alert him. But we need to be absolutely certain it’s him. A mistake could jeopardize everythin’.”
Dallas nodded in agreement. “Indeed, m’Laird. We’ll need to gather more information, discreetly observe and verify.”
“I’ll contact our network of informants,” Raphael decided, reaching for a parchment and quill. “They might provide more details—crucialdetails. We can then cross-reference their reports with what we have.”
Their plan began to take shape—a meticulous strategy born from years of experience in dealing with covert affairs. Raphael was well aware that rushing in without substantial confirmation was a perilous path. This was where he felt most like himself—protecting his clan,hispeople.
They could count on him for anything, just like they had from the moment when they’d had nothing. He had brought them from the ruins of their wretched existence and given them meaning.
In turn, they worshipped him for it. However, he didn’t let this go to his head. He took it on as a role to keep them safe and guarded, even at the price of his own life.
“We’ll proceed cautiously, Dallas,” he stated firmly. “Our objective is to protect the innocent and uphold justice. We shall not waver in our pursuit of the truth.”
They needed to ensure every aspect was meticulous, each detail ironed out, when the door suddenly burst open, startling both men. Keira stood at the threshold, her countenance a mix of determination and frustration. Her eyes were ablaze with a fire that Raphael hadn’t seen before, making it evident that she was impassioned about whatever had driven her to this point.
“We need to talk,” she declared, her voice firm and unwavering. “Now.”
Raphael almost burst into a chuckle at her defiance. No one would ever dare barge into his study in such a manner and demand an audience with him. If she had known anything about his past, she would think twice before doing this.
Still, the last thing he wanted to do was punish her. At least not in the way he punished other people—men mostly. For her, he could come up with a different punishment, but that would come later. For the time being, he had to find out what had her so flustered.
He exchanged a meaningful glance with Dallas, who got the hint without a single word being said.
Dallas nodded and quietly excused himself, leaving the room. Raphael then leaned back in his chair, waiting for thisentertainment to unfold further. He gestured for her to take a seat opposite him.
