“I,” Gretna started, trying to find the words that would explain why she was there. There was no good explanation of course. She wasn’t wed to James yet nor had the laird given herpermission to freely enter his private domain. What she had to do was keep the maid from telling the laird that Gretna had been in there.
She needed to have Trista on her side.
17
“Ye shouldna be in here,” Trista repeated, her gaze narrowing. “Mah lady.”
The title came with a sneer and Gretna blew out a slow breath, knowing she would have to work hard to win the maid over. “Aye, well, I have a very good reason tae be in here.”
“Wot is that?” Trista asked, arching a brow. “Because there is nothing of yers in here.”
“Yer right, of course,” Gretna murmured, fisting her hands into her skirts and remaining calm. Even if Trista didn’t believe her, it wasn’t like she could ride after her laird or her lover and tell them what Gretna had been doing. By the time they returned, Gretna would have come up with a reason that would be plausible as to why she was in the study to begin with.
Yet, she wanted for Trista and the rest of the keep to aid her in all getting what she wanted for the future. Gretna didn’t want to be their lady of the keep and she imagined they didn’t want her there either. “I want tae leave,” she blurted out, deciding to be honest with the maid. “I donna wish tae wed James.”
Trista’s eyes widened. “I- I donna understand.”
“There was a time that I did wish tae be his wife,” Gretna rushed on before she could stop herself. “I wanted a keep like this, a husband who would one day rule over his own clan.” She swallowed. “Most importantly, I wanted a great love that would last through the generations.”
Some of Trista’s reluctance started to dim from her eyes. “And ye donna think ye have found it here.”
Gretna shook her head. “I donna think so. At least not with James.” Gretna was starting to wonder if she had found it with another, someone she hadn’t anticipated finding love with, though she didn’t know if he returned the sentiment. “I know ye are loyal tae yer laird. I am loyal tae mah brother, but I’m asking for yer help in getting mah back tae him.” It was a chance she would have to take now that Trista had found here in the study.
Trista crossed her arms over her chest. “Wot sort of help?”
Glad that at least she was listening to her, Gretna drew in a breath. “I’m looking for something, anything that I can hold over James’ head and get him tae release mah from this marriage contract.” If anyone would know something she could use, it would be the maids and servants that were in the keep. They were the ears that no one paid attention to and sometimes, words were exchanged in their presence.
Not to mention that James had invited the maids into his chamber and in his bed. “Please,” she said, hoping she could appeal to the woman’s affection for James. “I donna want tae be here.”
Trista dropped her arms and moved to the door. “Ye need tae leave.”
Gretna knew that if the woman left now, she would be at risk of facing the laird’s punishment for snooping around. Not to mention whatever James would do to her at trying to get out of their agreement. “Yer in love with him, aren’t ye?”
Trista stiffened, her eyes flashing. “Donna speak of things ye donna know anything aboot.”
“But I do,” Gretna said softly, taking a step forward. “I- I may be in love with another.” She was almost positive what she felt for Remy was love and if it wasn’t, it was going to be something wonderful when it did turn to love. He made her feel how she always wanted to feel. He made her want to be with him, to have a future and a family with him. The rest mattered not as long as he was by her side.
“And tis not James,” Trista said slowly.
Gretna shook her head. “Nay, tis not. He is blackmailing mah into this marriage.” Even if Trista refused to help her, Gretna wanted the maid to know that she wasn’t interested in James or a future at this keep. She was not her enemy.
Trista finally loosened a breath, her shoulders slumping. “When I heard ye were coming, I hated ye immediately. I knew that he was destined tae wed someone worthy of a title, but it didn’t come tae mah mind until he said ye were coming.”
“Ye donna mind that ye aren’t the only one?” Gretna asked hesitantly.
Trista gave a little shrug. “Wot? I live in a keep and share his bed more than the others. I donna mind.”
Gretna couldn’t find fault in her words. Trista was in love with James and likely any bit of affection he showed her was more than she could have hoped for. “Ye donna mind that he’s.” She couldn’t finish her own words about how evil James was being.
“He’s a Scot and a McCellan,” Trista answered, smirking. “A little evil never bothered mah.”
Gretna suppressed a shudder. “Then ye understand my predicament.”
The other woman stared at her for a moment before she slowly nodded. “Aye, I understand.”
Relief threaded through Gretna’s veins. She could make this maid her ally.
“I have a confession,” Trista said a moment later. “I was the one who told James that ye were in yer handsome Captain’s chambers.”
