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She sniffled, trying to hold back tears.

“What? What do you want, Aidan?” She would give him anything.

But he did not answer, so she repeated her question, more loudly this time.

“A sister,” Graeme said. “He wants a sister. And always has.”

When she turned back to Aidan, he was smiling.

“Of course,” she said at once. “I’ve thought of you as a brother from the moment I arrived here. I couldn’t be more honored.”

Aidan hid his face behind his mug and finally finished it with a long swig. “Understand, Allie, that I will always, always protect you and love you, as only a brother can do.”

Allie wiped away the single tear that escaped from the corner of her eye. The acceptance and love she and Gillian had found here was beyond belief. It was nothing like the relationship they had with their parents.

“As will I,” Gillian added, the resolve in her voice unmistakable.

Allie looked from Aidan to Gillian, and though she wasn’t sure how much her sister had overheard of their conversation, one thing was for sure.

They had a long few days ahead of them.

14

“War has been declared.”

Allie’s eyes widened. Aidan had found her in Wern Hall, a much smaller—and infinitely more private—version of the great hall. Accessible only through a secret passageway from the kitchen, it was one of the very few places where privacy could reliably be found. At one time, according to Aidan, it had been the only great hall at Highgate End.

“The council—”

“Nay.” Aidan sat on the bench next to her. Despite its name, Wern Hall resembled a large chamber more than it did an actual hall. Only three trestle tables and a small high table adorned the small space. “In fact, I believe some progress was made today. With luck, an accord will be reached soon.”

And Reid would be forced to go home.

“I will not let him leave without me.”

“Then you should abandon your insistence that he and Gillian come to any sort of agreement. She will not yield.” Aidan pointed to the oil lanterns on the wall. “Did you light those?”

“Aye,” she said, pointing to a nearby candle. “I am not completely incapable.”

“I never said such a thing.”

Nay, but her sister had certainly made her feel that way. She’d retired early last eve, worn out from the emotional talk with Aidan as much as she was by the strain of avoiding Reid. This morn, she had intended to appeal to Gillian once again, but her sister had apparently gone to the village to supervise the gathering of supplies, a task they normally completed together. How was she to sway Gillian if Gillian would not even talk to her?

“You mentioned a war?” she asked as if inquiring about the weather.

Aidan smiled, apparently enjoying himself. “Gillian returned just as the council broke for the morning.”

“You are maddening,” Allie said with a shove. Aidan was being deliberately roundabout. “And?”

“And she had a few words to say about my advice to you—”

“So she overheard everything last eve.”

Aidan shrugged. “So it would seem.”

Allie sighed, defeated. If her sister was back, it was time for them to have a frank talk.

“She cannot understand why I am helping you. I was reciting all of Reid’s, shall we say, finer qualities, when your betrothed—”