“Lachlan,” she replied. “I enjoyed the dance.”
“I enjoy everything with ye,” he crooned before wandering off.
Ailis watched after him, wishing she knew how to get him to speak with her father about courting her. He may be content to take things slowly, but she was ready for something to happen between them.
*
“I trust yerhaving a pleasant evening?” Ailis asked mischievously as she glanced up at Ian.
Ian’s eyes darkened slightly at the mention of the previous day’s events. “Very pleasant, though I must admit the memory of me refusal to carry that deer still haunts me.”
As it should.Ailis’s chuckle tinkled like wind chimes in a gentle breeze.
Ian’s gaze upon her softened. A glimmer of admiration shone in his eyes. “I truly do not know what to think when it comes to ye.”
She smiled, her green eyes sparkling with amusement. “Ye dinna have to think of me at all,” she teased.
Ian shook his head, a playful glint in his eyes. “I suppose most of me thoughts of ye are clouded by the desire to dance with ye,” he admitted, extending his hand toward her.
Ailis hesitated for a brief moment, her eyes flickering toward Lachlan, who watched them with a tight jaw and furrowed brows. His gaze was intense, a mix of concern and something deeper that made her heart flutter uncomfortably. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she turned back to Ian and placed her hand in his.
“As much as I appreciate the offer, Ian, I fear I must decline,” she answered politely, trying to ignore the pang of guilt that tugged at her. Would Father be upset if he found out she refused to dance with him?
Ian’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second before he masked it with practiced charm. “Ah, lass, ye wound me so. Are ye sure ye cannot spare one dance for an old friend?”
Ailis suppressed a sigh. The term “friend” was a veiled threat coming from Ian. She knew all too well his intentions, and she had no desire to give him any kind of hope. “Forgive me, Ian, but I’m afraid I twisted me ankle during me last dance. It’ll need time to heal before I can dance with ye,” she lied.
Ian’s facade cracked slightly, revealing a flash of disappointment in his eyes before his charming grin returned. “Ah, well, I shall have to content meself with watching ye from afar then.” He bowed slightly before stepping back.
As Ian departed, relief washed over Ailis. She turned her attention back to Lachlan, who was now conversing with some of the other guests. His eyes found hers, holding an intensity that made her heart race.
Ailis knew she was playing a dangerous game, caught between duty and desire. Her feelings for Lachlan were undeniable, a whirlwind of emotions that she struggled to contain.
With a heavy sigh, she excused herself from the hall, needing a moment of solitude.
Walking to the moonlit courtyard, Ailis found refuge from the lively great hall. Leaning against ancient battlements, she gazed at the stars as if seeking their counsel.
“Ye find yerself at a crossroads, lass.” Laird Duncan McAfee’s voice echoed with authority and tenderness. He approached his daughter carefully.
“Father,” she began solemnly, “I feel as though I’m wandering in fog, uncertain of which path to take.”
Duncan joined her at the ramparts.
“Does duty not dictate the way?” Ailis asked.
“It often lights the path. But even stars need darkness to shine,” he replied.
She hesitated but mentioned Lachlan’s name tremblingly.
“A man of honor who’d be a fine mate for another lass,” Duncan acknowledged.
“Why not for me?” she asked softly.
“Ye are meant to be the lady of a clan. I’ll make a good alliance for ye, and ye’ll be happy.”
Back in the great hall, Ailis moved through the crowd, focused on finding one person. Finally, she spotted Lachlan, his laughter distinguishable even in the lively atmosphere.
“Excuse me,” she whispered as she approached him, determination fueling her courage. “May we speak?”
