Page 11

“It occurs to me I know not your station nor title within your clan.”

As the serving girl listened to him, Kieran moved aside, not wishing to be overheard, and, thankfully, Maisie followed.

“I am the second son of the chief,” he said. “And simply Kieran, if it pleases you.”

“It pleases me,” she said.

“It pleases me to see you again this morn.” Quickly, as he likely should not have said that, Kieran added, “I trust you slept well, if not long. The sun has not yet risen.”

“As we spoke of last eve, the life of an innkeeper is not an idle one.”

“I can see that clearly.”

“Would you care to break your fast before you leave?” she asked. He’d have thought the lady attempting to end their conversation if not for the subtle movements of her body. Tucking her hair behind her ear. Shifting from one foot to the other. Barely discernible movements, but ones Kieran noticed easily.

‘Tis what your opponents do, and not what they say, that matters.

His father. Or rather, the chief of Duncraig. Wise words, he’d often thought. Not that Maisie was his opponent. Or not precisely his opponent . . .

This was madness.

And yet, not.

Surely he could find an inn closer to his intended destination. But Kieran fully expected he’d not find the answers he sought too quickly. Though it could take days, likely ‘twould be much longer. The ride was not so long to Aberdale that he could not stay here.

“Aye,” he said, decided. “Though I will keep my key if the room is available still?”

He watched her eyes widen. Watched her lips part, ever so slightly. What a beautiful, enticing woman.

“You will stay another night?”

Did her tone sound hopeful? Kieran should not wish it so. “More, if you’ll have me.”

Her brows drew together as the hall began to slowly fill around them. Kieran nodded to an even more private corner of the well-kept hall, and Maisie followed.

“I’ve business in Aberdale that may take some days.”

“Surely there is an inn there at which you might stay. Not,” she added quickly, “that I do not have room at the Red Stag. But why ride from here if you need not do so?”

Why indeed?

“I enjoyed . . . staying here.” Kieran left it at that.

“Business,” she mused. “On MacKinlay land. An enemy to Duncraig, are they not?”

“You are well-informed, my lady.”

“I’ve lived in this region my whole life. There are none who haven’t heard of the Battle of Black Friars. I am sorry to have mentioned it,” she said immediately.

If his expression had changed, it was only because of the information he’d learned recently. To think, all his life, he thought MacKinlay was the enemy, only to learn the true enemy was the very family that took him in.

“It was many years ago,” he said, attempting to dismiss it. “But aye, the two clans are enemies. There has been some recent trouble that I plan to investigate.”

He planned to use the cattle incident as a reason for his presence on MacKinlay land.

“Trouble?”

“Aye. MacKinlay cattle were found grazing on Duncraig land. We attempted to discover the source, as the cattle could not have found their way so far from home without being led there—”