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“My lady,” Graeme addressed her. “Well met since those many years past when I greeted you in your hall at Theffield.”
In deference to his position as chief, Clarissa curtsied prettily, as if they’d just met at court.
“Chief,” she said, “the honor is mine.”
Graeme nodded politely but did not waste a moment. He gestured toward the inner chamber of the tower, and Clarissa followed him inside. Aidan did the same. Once they were all sequestered inside the very room Aidan had suggested Clarissa take for her own, he closed the door behind them.
“We received word from your father just this morn,” Graeme began, addressing Clarissa.
She seemed surprised. And frightened. Graeme must have belatedly realized the implication of his words. “His message was not about you, my lady. I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.”
Graeme glanced at Aidan and then addressed his next words directly to Clarissa. “He has agreed to assist our cause.”
No news could have been more surprising. He had been convinced the earl would do otherwise. And while this should have been a cause for celebration, it was not.
Clarissa’s face drained of color. “If he finds out that I am here—”
“He will not,” Aidan cut in. “This is welcome news,” he said to Graeme. “But it changes nothing. As I’m sure Lawrence told you, Lady Clarissa has nowhere to go. With Dunburg Abbey shutting its doors, we must help her find somewhere else to go.”
And just so that his brother understood the situation clearly, he added, “Until then, she is under our protection. I will speak with Lewis, who can assist our cause. Malcolm will need to station guards we can trust with this secret—”
“There is not one man or woman here I would not trust with my life,” Graeme interrupted.
“I agree,” Aidan said, “but it is not our lives we are discussing. It is Lady Clarissa, our entire clan, and indeed, all of the borderers for whom her identity must remain a secret.”
He watched his brother contemplate his words. Graeme had not flinched when he’d announced Clarissa was under their protection. His brother would honor the vow he’d made, of course, but Aidan had expected more of a reaction.
“Very well,” Graeme said. “I leave her protection to you. In the meantime, we’ve much to discuss.”
“Aye, we do. I will be along shortly.”
Graeme turned to leave but stopped at the door. “I will send Gillian along,” he said with a final nod to Clarissa. “She looks forward to meeting you.”
Aidan turned to explain that he would be back after his meeting with Graeme and that Lady Gillian would attend to her needs in the meantime. But Clarissa’s pallor and wide eyes stopped him. She appeared as shocked as if she’d seen a fairie.
“What is it, lass?”
Clarissa opened her mouth but nothing came out.
Aidan’s heartbeat quickened. “What is it—”
“He . . . he did not question you. Or order you to send me away. He . . . your brother . . .”
His shoulders sagged with relief. For a moment he’d thought something was wrong.
“I told you,” he clarified. “You are under my protection, which means you are under the clan’s protection as well. My word and my brother’s are interchangeable,” he explained.
Aidan wanted to stay to assure her that she was safe, and that her father’s decision did not change that. But Graeme was right, there was much to be done. “Rest,” he said. “Lady Gillian will be along shortly. And I will visit you as soon as I’m able.”
Then, because he could not stop himself, Aidan leaned over and placed the gentlest of kisses on her lips. If the move startled her, Clarissa did not show it. But as he turned to leave, Aidan could have kicked himself. Why had he done that? Though it nearly killed him, he had not kissed her at all during their journey . . . since the kiss they’d shared at Sutworth had nearly undone him, of course. And yet, it had seemed the most natural thing in the world to say farewell in that way.
Clarissa is not yours to kiss anytime you please, and you will do well to remember that.
God help him, he was trying. Though it was becoming harder and harder each passing day.
Chapter 14
“She is absolutely lovely.”
