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“Aye.” Juliette laid her hands on her stomach. “And I did it well too.”

“My ladies?”

When Elise called to them from the door, Allie’s heart sank. Had the meeting been concluded already?

“Come in,” Allie said.

“Pardon me, but we have visitors.” She looked directly at Allie. As if . . .

“Your sister is here,” she confirmed. “And is asking for you.”

Allie and Juliette exchanged a glance. Part of her had been expecting this, but enough time had gone by that she had begun to hope that her sister would indeed trust her to make the right decision. And she had, though it was not the one Gillian hoped for.

“Well.” Juliette stood. “It seems as if this day will bring much excitement to Brockburg.”

Allie wished excitement was the word for how she felt. Dread, more like. For nothing good could come of her sister’s arrival.

* * *

Staring at her hands on her lap, Allie listened to Gillian’s impassioned plea, waiting for it to be over. They sat in the hall, not a very private place for this discussion, but neither did Allie want it to be. She knew what her sister came here to say, and if she was going to disparage Reid, she could do so in his own hall.

She and Juliette had passed more time than she’d realized. Servants were already beginning to prepare for the midday meal as she waited for Gillian to finish speaking.

“I asked that you not do anything rash—”

“And I intended to keep that promise.”

“By convincing Aidan to take you here, alone?”

Allie swept her hands up to indicate those around them. “Alone? I am not alone, Gill.”

Gillian rolled her eyes.

“I am surprised Graeme allowed you to come,” she said, attempting to direct her sister to another topic. “How many men did you—”

“He didn’t allow me to come alone.”

“He’s here?”

“Aye.”

By the time she and Juliette had arrived in the hall, only Gillian remained, waiting for her.

“You should not have come—”

“Of course I should have! And would have been here sooner if not for the Day of Truce. Graeme said Clan Kerr nearly did not send representation?”

Grateful for the new topic, Allie explained all that had happened, with the exception of a few details. Namely, ones that implicated Reid as deceptive. She also failed to mention the meeting, knowing her sister would find out about it soon enough.

“Has there been word from Douglas?” Allie asked.

“Nay, and tensions are rising. I fear if there is not a resolution soon, the council will have been for naught.” Gillian sighed, the pain in her eyes making Allie wish they were not at odds with each other. “I hate this,” she said.

“As do I.” Allie brightened. “And if you will simply give Reid your blessing—”

Gillian’s scowl actually made her laugh.

“You are the fiercest of sisters,” she teased.