Page 63

“No longer,” Kieran said, wincing at the mention of Maisie’s husband. “His widow runs the inn now. Her name is Maisie and . . . I’ve asked her to marry me.”

It was not the ideal marriage for a clan chief’s son, but after everything that had happened, he hoped the status of his future wife would be of little consequence. Though it did not matter. He would marry her either way.

His parents exchanged a glance.

“She is a lovely woman, quite capable, as the inn has thrived since her husband passed.”

“I am sorry, son,” his father began as he placed food on his trencher.

Kieran’s shoulders sagged. Just as they’d reconciled, now there would be another disagreement between them.

“But,” his father continued, “I cannae remember a lovely woman as the former owner.”

Kieran waited but it seemed it was all his father would say.

“I am glad ‘tis your only hesitation.”

“Son, we willnae interfere in your choice of a wife,” his mother said, looking at his father as if waiting for him to disagree. And though Kieran knew it was because of his status as a second son, and not because of his birth, he did not care. That he would have their blessing to marry Maisie was all that mattered.

Of course, the woman herself needed to be convinced first.

“She was forced to marry him,” Kieran explained. “For coin. Her father is a farmer.”

“Mmm,” was all his father said.

“Tell us of her,” his mother prompted. And so he did. When he’d finished, his mother reached across the table for his hand. “She sounds lovely, Kieran. As you said. We very much look forward to meeting her.”

“You will soon,” he said, hoping his words were true. “I leave in the morn and will return as soon as I am able.”

“Already?” His mother, clearly disappointed, let go of his hand and continued her meal.

“Aye,” he said. “Niall is there now, but I do not wish to leave her for long.” With that, he began another tale, this one of MacBrannigan, which had implications for their own clan. He’d killed a chieftain, after all, even if that man was a bastard.

But instead of chastising him for potentially starting a clan feud, his father smiled. “Ach, well. It sounds to me as if the man deserved killing.”

Kieran returned his father’s grin.

It was good to be home.

27

Chapter

Maisie attempted to tell Niall to go to Lina, but he would not listen. The man was as stubborn as any she’d ever met. The hall was empty but for the two of them.

“There are none here,” she said. “I willnae be long finishing here.”

“And I will wait for you,” he said, sitting at Kieran’s table. Crossing his arms and leaning back as if getting more comfortable, he shrugged.

Maisie shook her head and rushed through the remainder of her tasks. She thanked him for his vigilance as he escorted her to her bedchamber and waited until she was safely inside before leaving her.

Though she’d always been careful, the threat of MacBrannigan’s men retaliating against her for what had happened made Maisie even more so. She locked the door behind her and prepared for bed, doing what she had each night since Kieran left. Thinking of him. Dreaming of him. Wishing he were here with her.

His absence had convinced her beyond a doubt that Maisie did not wish to live without him. And though she’d vowed never to marry again, vows were made to be broken. Smiling to herself at the memory of Lina’s proclamation, she blew out the candle and was about to get into bed when something, though she could not name what precisely, made her go to the window. As it was shuttered, she could not see through it. Opening them, Maisie gasped.

The stables were afire.

Running to her door, she began to scream, calling out the one word that terrified all.