Page 44 of A Kilted Marriage of Convenience

The only plan she could fathom was to make her way to Iona’s nunnery as she had set out to do so long ago. But it seemed such an unfruitful life for her after discovering the beauty of love. Regardless, going back to her father’s keep was the worst possible outcome of the disaster she had orchestrated.

Ciara was sure she would consider death before actually allowing herself to get married to Laird Morrison.

Still, she could not help but feel lighter after revealing the secrets that had plagued her for so long. It was almost as if she had set down a heavy burden after bearing it for too long. She felt like she had just come up for air after being submerged for years, and she only wished she had revealed it all earlier, without hurting Aidan so profoundly.

Her tears started flowing again as she realized all she had lost forever.

How did this happen? How could I lose everything so quickly?

Eventually, they reached the burgh, and Aidan veered off in the direction of the castle. He had not uttered a single word, and he looked like he was carved out of stone. As they approached the castle, Ciara was overcome with a feeling of anticipation.

What was next for her?

She looked up from her musing to see Hannah and Lillie coming toward them as they approached the stables, and she remembered they had planned to collect herbs from the woods that day. She groaned and sniffled in embarrassment. They were the last people she had hoped to meet when she was a teary, slobbering mess.

Lillie waved excitedly, recognizing them, and heading in their direction, but her face fell the moment she got close enough.

He helped Ciara off the horse as his sister rushed toward her, taking her in her arms.

“Och, Ciara,” Lillie started, worried. She wiped Ciara’s face with her hands, holding her close. “What’s the matter, my dear? What has got ye crying?”

Hannah joined the pair and put a supportive arm around Ciara’s shoulder, pulling her into an embrace. Aidan gingerly undid the straps of the harness, handing the reins to a stable boy who had come to collect his horse.

Lillie glared hard at Aidan, turning to look at him. “What did ye dae to her, Aidan?” Lillie asked stabbing a finger at Aidan. “What happened to Ciara to upset her like this?”

“Why daenae ye ask yer friend, eh?” he answered, glowering right back at Lillie. He had an edge to his voice, his teeth grinding like stones. It broke Ciara’s heart as he turned toward the castle and stalked away angrily.

Lillie guided her around the stables and out of sight, lowering her onto a bale of hay. The stableman handed her a handkerchief and some water.

“Thank ye,” Ciara mumbled.

“It’s naething, my lady,” he said. “I just wanted to repay yer kindness to me in my own small way. I never got to thank ye for saving my lad. So, thank ye.”

The groom stepped back and bowed, then turned to leave, popping his hat back on his head and giving the women some much-needed privacy.

“How dare Aidan!” Lillie gasped at Hannah furiously. “How can he make someone as sweet and kind as ye cry like this? And then walk away like he daenae care? I willnae forgive him ever!”

“It’s nae his fault, Lillie,” she said, blowing her nose into the handkerchief. She took a steadying breath, then went on to tell the whole story of their ride and visit to the meadow.

Ciara forced herself to recount all she had disclosed to Aidan as well, laying herself bare for the second time that day. She admitted to her lies, to her deceit, and a part of her did not know how she would react if Lillie responded in the same fashion as Aidan. No doubt, Lillie would decide that Ciara was a horrible friend, and she would be truly alone in the world. Still, she told it all and left nothing out.

“Hold on…” Lillie said pensively. “Ye mean, ye were escaping the same Laird Morrison whom yer father wanted to sell me off to when I was his captive?”

Ciara nodded weakly in reply.

“Aye,” Lillie said, hugging Ciara. “By saving me from his dungeons, ye made yerself the target instead. Ye saved me from a fate ye had to suffer yerself. I understand everything now, Ciara, and I will forgive ye. And I ken that I can get my brother to come around and see some sense as well. Trust me.”

Lillie patted her on the knee, then ran off toward the keep, most likely looking for her.

Ciara eventually bolted herself inside her chamber, then slid down to the floor, her back to the door. She took a shuddering breath and did something she hadn’t done since she had left her father’s castle.

She cried herself to sleep, wondering what the next day held for her.