Page 22 of A Kilted Marriage of Convenience

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

The following morning, the sound of soft tapping on the door woke Ciara. She groaned softly, and immediately her eyes widened at her unfamiliar surroundings. She stayed unmoving for a full minute, before her memories came together.

Right. She had been ‘kidnapped’. This was her new room in the keep of her captors. It was a pretty fine room, actually. She rolled over to face the door, memories from last night flooding her head. The room wasn’t the only thing she liked here.

Aidan.

Another loud knock.

“Ciara? It’s me, Lillie. Can I come in?”

Ciara jolted up instantly. “Erm, aye! Come in!”

The door opened instantly, and the girl stepped in. “Good morning!”

“Good morning, Lillie.” Ciara patted her hair down subconsciously and smiled back.

A couple of seconds passed with Lillie standing in the room awkwardly. Then she turned to take a look at the door and said, “Well, I’m glad ye were able to sort things out with my brother and didnae have to sleep with a guard in yer room after all.”

Ciara instantly let out an overly nervous laugh. In truth, she had slept with a guard in her room. Only it had been Aidan. But she could never tell Lillie that, so she only laughed shortly once more. “Och, aye. Thankfully I was able to make him see reason yestereve.”

“That’s braw.” A large smile spread across Lillie’s beautiful face. “Well, now I’ve come to take ye with me.”

“Where are we going?”

Just as Lillie was about to respond, there was another knock. She watched as a girl, who was about their age, settled in the doorway. Her deep green eyes and dark, wavy hair were mesmerizing. She turned to look at Ciara and gave her a small, polite smile. Lillie took her hand gently and walked her into the room, giving the obviously shy girl some courage.

“This is Hannah, Maria’s daughter.”

Ciara quickly thought back to her rescue and remembered the kind healer.

“Och, I didnae ken Maria was married. Daes her husband also live in the keep?”

“Och, nay,” Lillie responded immediately. “Maria’s husband died from an illness a long time ago.” She clutched Hannah’s hand softly and went on. “And now, it’s just her and Hannah.”

Ciara nodded her head slowly, and continued with a smile, “I’m sorry, pleasure to meet ye, Hannah.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet ye too, my lady.”

Lillie beamed and continued her chattering. “Hannah is like a little sister to me, ye see. We’re going for a walk and we want ye to come with us!”

Ciara’s brows raised. “Out of the castle? Where are we going? Am I even allowed?”

“We’ll be picking herbs, and aye, ye can come,” Lillie said, turning to give Hannah a small smile. “Hannah and I usually help Maria pick herbs for potions and ointments.”

“I have only just awoken but—"

“Och! Of course!” Lillie exclaimed, “I’m so sorry! Get washed and dressed. I’ll ask for food to be sent to ye immediately.” With that said, Lillie turned in the direction of the door, still holding Hannah’s hand.

“Thank ye,” Ciara said with a genuine smile.

“Nae problem.” Lillie smiled back and walked out the door, Hannah ever quiet at her side.

A while later, Ciara headed toward the kitchens to meet the girls.

She took a nervous glance around as they began to walk to the main doors of the keep. She could not focus on Lillie’s cheerful chatter. She had only one thought on her mind.

Is this really alright? Am I really allowed to go out?She kept feeling like at any moment a guard would arrive and scoop her up to lock her back in her room.