Underneath this natural refuge, they spoke of everything and nothing, not emerging until the rain had stopped.
*
Lachlan approached thegrand doors, the carved oak standing imposingly before him. He needed some time in his ancestral home to decide how to capture the heart of Ailis. The brisk Highland air couldn’t cool his burning chest as he recalled Ailis’s laughter shared with another.
Pausing at the door, Lachlan’s mind raced with courtly protocols and clan politics. Each step now was a battle between his heart and his station.
“Father,” he called firmly. The laird sat at the far end of the hall, his gaze piercing even from a distance.
As Lachlan moved closer, he sensed generations watching him. “I understand ye’ve been spending much time in contemplation these days, son. What troubles ye?” the laird rumbled.
“It is not trouble that brings me before ye, Father, but a matter of the heart,” Lachlan replied carefully. “I seek yer blessing to court Ailis.”
The laird studied his son. “And what of her feelings for ye? Does she return yer affection?”
Masking his uncertainty, Lachlan answered, “Ailis is a woman of depth and complexity. I believe there lies a chance for us if I’m given an opportunity to prove me sincerity.”
“Very well,” the laird conceded. “Ye have me permission to court her. But remember, Lachlan, our alliances ensure our survival as much as our strength. Ye must choose wisely.”
Lachlan nodded, his shoulders relaxing from their tension. As he turned to leave, he grew determined. Now that he had permission from both their fathers, he knew he could win her heart. He just had to decide how to proceed on the long ride back to McAfee lands.
