In the followingdays, Cameron persistently sought Ailis’s attention. One morning, he approached her with gifts: a woolen shawl resembling the loch’s deep blue and a silver brooch.
“The gifts are beautiful, but are ye sure ye wouldn’t rather give them to someone else?”
“Nay, these gifts are meant to be worn by the bonniest woman in the Highlands, and that would be ye.” He bowed slightly.
“But ye remember that I told ye I have chosen another?” she asked, studying his face.
“I plan to change yer mind. Ye must be cold in the Highland air,” he offered, as he placed the shawl on her shoulders. “Nothing but the finest for ye.”
Ailis accepted the gifts, feeling the weight of expectation upon her. Cameron’s compliments held an unsettling urgency.
“Thank ye, Cameron,” Ailis replied cautiously. “But ye are mistaken about me feelings. Once I make a decision, I dinnae change me mind.”
Cameron leaned closer, determined. “Give me a chance, Ailis. Me heart is true, and me fondness grows each day.”
She shook her head. “Me mind is made up, and I love another.”
Ailis retreated to the kitchen where Granny stirred a pot of stew. She confided her confusion about Cameron.
Granny met Ailis’s gaze. “A gift given freely is light as a feather. If it carries expectations of winning yer affection, it becomes heavy as a millstone.”
“What do I do?” Ailis whispered.
Granny touched Ailis’s cheek. “Listen to yer heart—it beats a unique rhythm only ye understand. Charm may dazzle, but building a life together takes more than finery and flattery.”
Ailis thanked Granny for her wisdom and went outside, where the sun cast long shadows across the land.
*
Lachlan strode throughthe castle’s corridors, hearing the echoes of his boots against the cold floor. He had heard whispers thatAilis was beset by doubts—doubts sown by Cameron’s lies. His jaw clenched at the thought.
In the pale moonlight, Lachlan saw Ailis in the courtyard below, pacing back and forth in the quiet garden. Her dark hair was subdued under the moon’s gaze.
He descended the stairs, wondering what he could say to breach the walls of mistrust between them. He understood that there had been lies told about him, but he had trouble rationalizing why she didn’t believe him and chose to believe Cameron instead.
“Fair evening, Ailis,” Lachlan greeted as he emerged into the cool night air, his voice disguising his inner turmoil. No matter how confused she was, it was good to be with her.
She turned, her eyes reflecting the stars above. “Good eve, Lachlan,” she replied guardedly.
“May I walk with ye?” he asked formally, watching her for any sign of mistrust.
“Of course,” she answered.
“Is that a new shawl?” he asked.
She sighed. “Cameron gave it to me. I told him that I was not interested in pursuing our relationship, but he didn’t listen. He gave me this and a brooch. I wish he’d go away.”
“Well, I dinnae think much of Cameron, but I must admit that yer beautiful in the shawl. It makes yer eyes even more lovely.”
Ailis smiled, blushing a little and hoping it was hidden by the darkness around them. “Thank ye.” How could she mistrust a man who was so sweet and kind?
“Ye seem troubled,” Lachlan ventured. “Do ye want to talk about it?”
Ailis sighed heavily. “I fear I am caught betwixt me own desires and expectations.”
“And where do I stand in this tangle of thorns?” Lachlan asked.
“Ye are… a man of great merit, Lachlan. But I’ve been told of dalliances,” she reiterated. She wanted to trust him with everything inside her, but she couldn’t. Not after hearing he was kissing another.
