Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

As she returned to her seat, Leona couldn't help but look over at him. She had been shocked by her own words but not as shocked as her desire to follow through. If she were to leave now, though, there would be too many questions. Instead, she would wait, and somehow she would signal him.

The entire dance, she had wanted nothing more than to kiss him, to run her hands through his hair and pull him into her. Those thoughts caused a pressure between her hips, something she was inwardly begging him to relieve her of.

"Leona?" Isobel's voice broke her from her thoughts.

Leona felt herself flush with embarrassment and surprise, but thankfully, the dim glow flickering against her skin concealed it well enough. She smiled and let out a small laugh. "Aye, forgive me. I was lost in thought."

"Have ye seen Maisie, lass? She was here but suddenly rushed off," Isobel frowned and then motioned to the still-full plate in Maisie's place. "I havenae ever ken her to leave a meal behind, ye ken?"

"We should go find her," Leona nodded slowly.

"Nay, nae we ," a voice interrupted. Graham was watching them, his eyes drifting from Isobel to his sister. Shaking his head, he stood up from his seat and stepped towards them. "Leona, stay here. 'Tis nae proper for ye to leave."

"But–"

"I will go with Isobel to find her," he shot a look to Isobel. "If that is well enough with ye, lass? It would nay be wise to wander looking for her alone. Nor is it wise for Maisie to be without an escort."

Leona, not wanting to admit it and wanting to help, knew he was right. There was also no denying the danger of the three women being alone with so many others about. She turned to Isobel, brow furrowed, almost hoping her friend would protest. "Isobel?"

"He is correct, lass," she nodded. "Stay here in case she appears."

Graham helped Isobel to her feet, and Leona watched, helpless, as they faded into the crowd of people. Soon, she lost sight of them entirely. Across the table, she felt a pair of eyes on her. Leona looked up, seeing her mother's worried gaze. "Where did yer brother go?"

Not wanting to cause a panic or to get anyone into any trouble, she raked her mind for an excuse. "Isobel spilled some ale on her gown and needed an escort back to the tent," she said, hoping it was convincing enough.

Mother nodded slowly, believing her. Leona hated to lie, but she did not yet know if this was a true emergency or not. If she was not careful with her words, it could be detrimental to both Isobel and Maisie's reputations. It did not help that her brother was a notorious flirt.

After some time, her parents turned in for the night, and slowly, the crowd grew smaller and smaller. She continued to scan the faces, any movement drew her attention in hopes of seeing the tall and dark-haired lass.

Finally, after some time, Leona had enough of waiting. Her gaze fell on Caelan, and she stood, motioning for him to follow. He did so immediately, though he did not know that the reason why was far different than they had intended.

Once alone, she looked up at him. "We cannae find Maisie."

Caelan's face turned pale, and he swallowed. "Is that where yer brother and friend went to? To try to find her? That was some time ago," he ran a hand through his hair and then took her by the hand.

"If they would've found her, I ken they would have said so,"

"I have an idea, lass. Do ye trust me?"

"Aye," she answered without much thought. "I do."

Caelan began to lead her towards what she believed was his tent, but he slowed and turned to another. "Jamie! I'm comin' inside," he called out before pushing through the fabric flap with Leona in tow.

Jamie, who had been in his bed, sat up and cursed under his breath.

"We cannae find Maisie," Leona said, her voice shaking.

He stood quickly, wearing only his nightshirt. Leona turned away as he put on his kilt, hearing the rustling of the material and the quiet curses that followed. "All right," he said finally, in a huff. "Let's go find her."

Caelan shook his head. "I need ye to go with Leona. Head towards their tent, and if anyone asks, yer escorting the lady due to her head aching. I will alert the guards that she has been missing and check the grounds."

Leona frowned, knowing there was no use in arguing. She looked up at Jamie, whose mouth had formed a tight line. There was worry etched into his brow and a darkness behind his eyes. He looked down at her and nodded.

"Stay with him, lass. We'll find her," Caelan promised before turning and leaving the tent.

Jamie walked over to his bed. "Here, lass. Put this over yer head."

She caught the fur, lined with linen when he tossed it her way. In a fluid motion, Leona draped it over her head and shoulders, pulling it closer to her collar with both hands. She understood completely. No one would know it was her unless they removed it or came too close.

Together, they walked in silence towards the tent that the three women shared. Leona kept her head lowered but let her eyes move from side to side, her ears perked for the faintest hint of her friend's voice.

The air was growing colder, and her mind raced.

"She will be fine, lass. Maisie always finds trouble; she seeks it out, but she is clever," he told her, trying to ease her mind. But even his own words seemed to fall short as if he did not quite believe himself.

As they reached the tent, Leona peeked her head in and let out a sigh of relief. Standing there was Maisie, along with Graham and Isobel. Stepping inside, she all but ripped the fur cover from herself and rushed at the tall, raven-haired lass. Throwing her arms around Maisie's middle, Leona squeezed until she was sure that her ribs might crack.

"Where the hell were ye?" Leona demanded as she released her, stepping back with her anger bubbling.

Maisie frowned, her eyes darting to Graham and Isobel before returning to settle on Leona. "Forgive me, I dinnae mean to make ye worry," she said in a soft, tired voice. "I got lost."

Leona blinked, her brow furrowed. "Lost?"

"How did ye get back?"

Maisie turned and looked across the tent. How Leona did not notice him earlier was beyond her. Ewan stood, looking tired despite the tiny smile on his face. Though she didn't quite understand, Leona could not help but be grateful.

"I had gotten lost m'self," Ewan admitted. "And found Miss Maisie wanderin' and sneakin' about the camps."

Behind her, Jamie made a sound, but if he had anything to say, he kept it to himself. Instead, he placed a hand on Leona's shoulder. "I'll go find Caelan and let him ken."

"Thank ye, Jamie," she nodded and watched as he left.

Ewan stepped forward, his eyes moving from Leona to the exit. "I had best go as well," he turned, giving a nod to the rest. "Goodnight."

Maisie smiled meekly. "Thank ye again, Ewan."

When he left, Leona turned back to her friends and brother. "Thank ye for yer help, Graham," Leona said finally. He smiled at her and then turned his attention to the other two, nodding at them both before leaving the tent.

Finally, it was just the three of them.

"Ye dinnae get lost," Leona said.

"I saw that wee, red-headed–"

"Ye daenae mean…?"

Her eyes met Maisie's, and a quiet understanding passed between them, one that needed no words. There was no doubt in her mind that Flora had not been welcomed to join in the festival or to be at the wedding. So why, exactly, had she come?

Isobel blinked and then looked between the two. "The maid?"

"Aye," Leona sighed. "I thought I had seen her before the games."

"Aye, I saw Flora when ye and Caelan were dancin'," she frowned, her nostrils flaring at the thought. "There was somethin' about her, the way she was lookin' at ye, Leo. I couldnae let it go, and I dinnae think..."

"Where is she?"

Maisie shook her head. "I daenae ken. The skinny, wee weasel took off when she saw I had noticed her. She moved like a ghost, and I lost her in the camps."

"It was lucky that Ewan was also lost, then," Isobel said.

"Aye, he appeared like a knight in shinin' armor."

Leona moved to her bed, exhausted. She fell onto the mattress, sinking into it as she inwardly groaned. "Maisie, when yer brother comes," she sighed, closing her eyes. "Tell him I wish to rest. I cannae think clearly at the moment."

Maisie chuckled. "Aye, I could. But ye just told him yerself."

Leona rolled over. Standing at the door were Caelan and Jamie. Her heart skipped a beat.

"How the hell did she get here?" Jamie asked as they walked.

Above them, the clouds flooded the dark sky as the air smelled of mist. Caelan shook his head, wondering the same thing himself. He had sent Flora away to an estate that was nowhere near Gleann Cloiche. So, how and why was she here?

He couldn't help but wonder if this was some shameful, desperate attempt on Flora's part to rekindle what they had shared? Or perhaps, it was more calculated and she hoped to disrupt his relationship with Leona?

Caelan's jaw clenched as he continued to walk, feeling the tension spreading into his neck and shoulders. He had no intention of allowing anyone to come between him and his betrothed; he hoped Leona knew that.

The path ahead was illuminated by the flicker of the torches. His thoughts swirled as they reached his tent. Jamie, who was staring ahead, his mind seemingly seething just the same, looked at him. "She may have run off," Jamie said with a frown. "But somethin' tells me that the maid willnae stop, Caelan. And I ken she is nae clever enough to do this alone."

He agreed there were too many strange things happening for any of this to simply be coincidental. And Caelan knew that Flora was resourceful, but she would not have the means to do this all without help. "Jamie," he said, looking at his man-at-arms. "I willnae say ye were right. But… keep an eye on him for me, lad."

Jamie nodded. "I forgive ye, ye stubborn arse."

"I dinnae apologize," Caelan noted.

"Nay, but I ken that's as close as ye'll come to it."