Page 69
“Aidan, Allie.”
Gillian.
She’d been too much of a coward to speak with her earlier. She knew they had to discuss her father’s decree, but her father was the last thing she cared to discuss at the moment.
She turned. “What are you doing down here?”
“We must talk about the other reason Father came here.”
“So you know he wishes for me to return with him?”
Gillian’s mouth flattened.
“Graeme believes you and I should both return home for a visit. You would not have to stay,” she rushed to explain. “But with everything that’s happening—”
“You cannot mean this?”
“I do not like it either. But if Caxton is truly attempting to incite the clans, they will not need much provocation. Until Douglas has an opportunity to speak with the king—”
“Gill, no.” She would not leave now. Reid would think she’d abandoned him. “Father will have me betrothed again—”
“He assured me and Graeme that he would not make a match for you without your agreement.”
“My agreement?” Her high-pitched tone was one she hardly ever used with her sister. “Father has written more than one letter about his intent to marry me off to an Englishman. And you know how I feel about Reid. And father.”
“And you know how I do. But,” she added quickly, “as I said, Father promised not to do anything against your will. I made him. I’d never let that happen when it is my fondest wish you remain here with me. What happened with Covington—”
“Can easily happen again,” she finished. “Just because Father no longer needs coin does not mean he would be happy to see both his daughters married to Scotsmen.” She looked at Aidan as if to apologize, which is when she caught the glance her sister gave Aidan as well.
Ahh, Gill. That was never going to happen. I love Aidan, but as a brother.
Her sister thought what Reid had when they first met, and the knowledge of it saddened her. “Gillian, please—”
She’d never seen her sister behave so stubbornly. In the past, she’d always been able to convince Gillian to see her side. But not in this. She was bound and determined, enough so to sacrifice her own happiness. Because she knew Gillian would never have contemplated a visit to England, no matter how dangerous it was at Highgate, had she not wished to spirit Allie away from Reid. And if she thought there had been something more between her and Aidan . . . wanted her to remain here, at Highgate End . . . Her shoulders sagged.
But the knowledge left her only one choice.
She sighed. “Very well.”
Allie wasn’t sure who looked more surprised, Gillian or Aidan. “I will return with you, but,” she emphasized, “I will not agree to any introductions.”
Gillian ran to her and hugged her tight. “I am so happy,” she said. Allie gave her sister an extra squeeze, not knowing when they would meet again. “You know I love you,” Gillian said. “I only want you to be happy, and safe. And ’twill be good to see Mother.”
“Aye,” she said, letting go. “Aidan and I must finish here. Will you delay Father until I return?”
“Of course,” Gillian said. “Aidan,” she murmured before turning back in the direction whence she came.
Aidan crossed his arms, waiting.
“You’re planning something,” he said. It wasn’t phrased as a question.
Allie pretended to be surprised. “Me? Planning something? Whatever could you—”
“Allie?”
She braced for his reaction and began to explain.
* * *
