Chapter 11

The puppies were adorable,and Ailis was heartened to see that Duncan actually trusted her to watch over his daughter. It was a pleasant change from his harsh words the night before.

The five pups were still too young to have fully grown out their coats or even opened their eyes. Still, she could see they were all mottled colors and split between two males and three females.

There was one female pup with a white ear that Lily seemed to be particularly attached to. Ailis made a mental note to see if Duncan could give the pup to Lily. There seemed to be plenty of hounds, especially for such an isolated castle and clan.

The scent of salt and the faint sound of the waves finally drew her attention away from the puppies. They were cute and made her heart melt, but they were far too young to spend much time away from their mother.

She coaxed Lily to return the puppies to their mother. "The wee things need to stay with their maither for a while, darlin'. Why do we nae tak' a walk around the garden, and mayhap find a place to look at the ocean." Lily nodded, and Ailis turned to the nearby guard. "Is there a place ye'd suggest for lookin' at the sea?"

The guard guided her to stairs that led to a small guard chamber at the top of the wall. Ailis picked Lily up so they could both get a good look at the gleaming expanse of blue.

Lily grinned. "Pretty!"

The sky was clear, and the air was warm. Ailis couldn't do anything other than agree. "Aye. The ocean's lovely this time of year." She ruffled the little girl's hair gently. "I've always loved swimmin'. Mayhap when yer faither returns from his business with yer uncle, we'll all go down to the shore and have some fun."

Lily's expression turned wistful in the way that only a young child's could. "Is it fun? Me faither doesnae like me bein' outside too much. I've never been beyond the walls, nae even durin' berry season with the cook an' scullery maids."

It took every bit of willpower Ailis possessed to not flinch in shock. "Ye've never been to the seashore? Or gone to pick berries in the spring and summer?"

"Nay. Faither says maybe when I'm older." The child's voice was quiet and sad.

Ailis and her sisters had gone berry-picking and swimming in the loch as soon as they were old enough to dress themselves. They hadn't been allowed to go out alone until they were much older, but she recalled such journeys in her father's company when she was Lily's age.

Duncan was a stern man, there was no question in her mind on that matter. But to never let his daughter go beyond the walls of the castle? To raise a child who'd never been to the ocean, even though she could see, hear, and smell it from her windows? Who'd never had a chance to eat berries fresh off the bush?

It was obvious to her that Lily was unhappy with being confined so much. She was obviously lonely, lacking the presence of playmates her own age, and old enough to want to explore the world around her. It seemed almost cruel to raise a young child that way, and it made no sense.

It was as if he was raising his daughter as a prisoner, and it made Ailis wonder if he was truly planning to keep his word. He was clearly protective of Lily, and she had no doubt he loved his daughter. If he was so controlling with her, how would he be with Ailis herself?

The idea that she might be a prisoner forever made her throat tighten. So did the idea of a child who'd never learned to swim in the sea. Ailis squared her shoulders in determination. Duncan could be as angry as he liked, but as long as Ailis was in Lily's life, she'd see to it that the youngster had every opportunity to experience all the joys of childhood.

She smiled at Lily. "Well, I ken yer faither's very busy and doesnae want ye to go without an adult who can watch over ye and help ye if ye get into trouble, but I'm here now."

Lily's eyes brightened at once, melancholy transforming to hopeful delight. "Ye mean…"

"I ken we cannae be outside for long, but I think we can manage a short trip to the seashore, as long as we take some of the guards with us."

Together, she and Lily descended the stairs once again. Ailis wasted no time hurrying over to the guard who'd been watching over them while they played with the puppies. "I'd like ye to accompany us down to the seashore if ye would. Or else call someone else who is able to do so."

The guard twitched. "Me Lady… the Laird…"

"The Laird is me betrothed, and soon to be me husband, and it was part of our agreement that I would have every freedom." She stared at the man sternly. "Neither of us has been to the sea, and so I've offered to take the child."

"But… ‘tis dangerous…"

"If ye're worried about the water, I ken quite well how to swim, and how to keep a child safe in the waves. I taught me two younger sisters to swim when we were bairns. And if there's aught else ye're worried about, ‘tis the reason I asked for a guard to accompany me."

"The Laird…"

Lily spoke up then, her eyes wide and pleading, her lip extended in a pout that even Ailis would have trouble refusing, despite raising Grace and being inured to such tactics. "Please, Connor? Ye ken I've been wantin' to go to the sea for a long time… and Faither and Uncle Jack are too busy to ask now."

The pout deepened, matched by wide-eyed innocence that would have put the puppies to shame. "Please? I promise I'll be good. I'll do what Ailis tells me to. And I'll even nae pester the cooks for a second dessert with supper, and do me lessons without complainin'. Promise. Please?"

Ailis smirked to herself as the guard gave in. "As ye will, little lass. But if yer faither isnae pleased, ye have to promise to be honest and tell him ye and Lady Ailis made the demand, do ye understand?"

"Aye!" Lily bounced on her toes in delight. "Promise, Connor!"

"Then let's go, and mayhap we'll get back afore yer lessons, and afore yer faither is done with his business." Ailis nudged the girl toward a small gate.

As soon as Lily was out of earshot, she offered the guard a sympathetic look. "I ken I'm puttin' ye in a difficult position, but I promise ye, I'll make sure Laird Muir doesnae take ye to task for this."

"Och, ye neednae trouble yerself." The guard—Connor—shook his head. "'Tis a fact that none of us can refuse the lass for long, nae even her faither, and she's been beggin' to go to the sea for a while. ‘Tis a near miracle that her faither hasnae given in afore now." His gaze roved over her appraisingly. "Ye'd nae be here if the Laird didnae trust ye somewhat, nor left her alone with ye. And he wouldnae marry just anyone. ‘Tis enough for me."

He nodded his head toward Lily, who was waiting impatiently. "If we're to get the lass to the sea to play in the water, best we go afore she runs off without us."

As the two of them hurried to catch up with the youngling, Ailis felt a small, exasperated smile tugging at her lips. She couldn't help but wonder what the guard would think if he'd known of the conversation last night, or her and Duncan's first meeting.

She was far from sure that she had either Duncan's heart or his trust, but that wouldn't stop her from doing her best with what he had offered her.

* * *

Duncan waited until they were in his study before he turned to his brother. "What's so important that ye couldnae wait and wouldnae speak of it in front of the lasses?"

Jack grimaced. "I wish I could have waited, but ye ken ye always told me to inform ye immediately regardin' certain matters."

"And?"

"A guard on the walk and one of the scouts circlin' the boundaries of our lands reported seeing men watchin' the castle. Neither of them saw what clan the watchers hailed from… cannae tell ye if it was because of the distance or because they werenae wearing tartan."

"Did our men try to catch them?"

"Aye, but they slipped away afore anyone could get close. As far as we ken, they were just watchin', and didnae do aught else. But still, ‘tis strange."

Duncan scowled. There was only one reason he could think of for watchers without clan tartan to be near his castle. "Ye think the bastards are back. Back to start more trouble."

"I willnae deny the possibility, though I dinnae ken why they'd bother. Nae unless they were curious about yer new betrothed."

"How would they ken about her?"

"If they were keeping any sort of watch on our lands, then they saw ye ride out to Laird Clyde, and then ride back with her." Jack shrugged. "Or mayhap they found out about her like ye did."

"I doubt that."

Jack nodded, accepting his words as truth. "Then I dinnae ken. And there's a chance that these are scouts from a different clan, merely watchin' over the borders. Ye ken we've had reports of MacDean riders on the verges every so often."

"Aye. But ye dinnae think that's the case." Duncan couldn't believe it either. "I just dinnae understand why they'd be keepin' watch at all. I've left well enough alone."

"Aye. But if they discovered the truth of what happened all those years ago… I ken what ye told them, but if they've come to believe that ye told them a falsehood, or worse, learned what ye tried to keep from them…"

"They shouldnae have. I cannae see how they could have. But it doesnae matter." Duncan began to pace, his agitation growing. "I should have been more careful. Now I've brought Ailis into the middle of our feud, and worse, they're both in danger."

Jack's voice was soft and cautious. "I hate to ask it of ye… but ye're sure the lass isnae part of some scheme…"

"I'm fairly certain. She was too surprised when I showed up at her faither's castle." Duncan gave a grim smile. "Happens that many of the clans think I perished in the fire—save for the one I most wish would think so."

"Cannae be helped," Jack spoke soothingly. "Ye did yer best. And we all thought it was over after so many years passed without a whisper. ‘Twas why we were pressurin' ye to find a wife. It's nae yer fault if the bastards havenae given up."

"But it is for givin' in to ye and the council, and puttin' Ailis in danger, to say nothin' about bringin' danger to the clan by leavin' our lands and revealin' me presence outside the borders." Duncan slammed his hand on the desk in frustration.

After a moment to compose himself, he sighed and straightened. "For now, increase the watch on the walls. Lily and Ailis are out at the kennels, playing with the pups Blaze whelped while I was away. Best we bring them inside, where they'll be safe."

"Ye ken Lily willnae like bein' kept inside, and more likely than nae, neither will yer lady."

Duncan's jaw tightened. "Aye. I ken, but it is best until we ken who our watchers were, and what they wanted." He shook his head. "I'd far rather have them upset with me than in danger because I wasnae careful enough."

He turned and strode out of the study, Jack barely a step or two behind him. His stomach was churning, and it was an effort not to run through the halls like a wayward youth.

After all these years, he'd brought his kin to the most isolated castle his family had—the old fortress that had been their first home when they claimed these lands—to escape their enemies.

For seven years, he'd seen no sign of Clan Fraser or any other clan they might have allied with. He'd begun to hope that they might finally be safe. Now he feared that hope was a futile one, and the thought made his head ache with mingled fear and rage.

Fear for his daughter, his people, and the lass for whom he was quickly finding it hard to deny he felt affection. Rage that his enemies still continued to pursue them. He had done nothing to antagonize them, not since that terrible fire that had destroyed his former home. Why could that not be enough?

By the time he emerged into the courtyard, his head was pounding, and his mood was black. He wanted nothing more than to get his daughter and his betrothed inside to safety before he went and took his frustrations out on a sparring partner—or perhaps a practice dummy.

He stalked toward the stables, ignoring the guard who hurried over to speak to him, and rounded the corner to the kennels, intent on carrying his daughter away.

He froze.

Lily wasn't there. Nor was Ailis. There was no sign of a struggle, but also no sign of where the lasses had gone. After a moment, he realized the guard who usually watched over the stables was also gone.

Fear ripped through him, a surge of ice-cold sensation to match the rage boiling in his veins.

He whirled on Jack. "Lily's missing, as is Ailis. We need to find them. Now!"

"Och, Braither, ye ken they cannae have been taken from here?—"

Duncan grabbed his brother's tunic in fury, cutting him off. "I dinnae ken aught save that I dinnae see me daughter where I left her, nor any sign of the two I left her with!"

If aught has happened to Lily, if Ailis or the guard had any part in her bein' lost, taken, or injured, there'll be nay one left standin' by the time I'm done with them.

He released Jack before he could do something foolish, like harm him, and turned to snarl at the guard who'd approached him moments before. "Where's me daughter and me betrothed? And where's the guard who is supposed to be on watch here?"

The guard paled in the face of his obvious wrath, but he was a warrior of Clan Muir. He answered before Duncan could lose his patience and start hunting his wayward young child.

"Beggin' yer pardon, Me Laird, but yer betrothed insisted on takin' the little lass down to the shore, to play in the water. She said ye'd given her every freedom, and she wished to visit the ocean. Connor went with them, to guard them and assist the lady with watching over Lily."

"What?"

"They're on the shore, Me Laird. Connor's with the lasses, and there are two watchin' them from the wall at all times." The guard's face was distressed. "We'd never let the little lass be in any danger, Me Laird. Ye ken that."

For one second, Duncan couldn't move—he was so startled. On the one hand, he was relieved to know where his daughter and Ailis were, and that they were apparently in little danger. The shore was visible from the walls, and if there was trouble, the guards on watch could sound the alarm easily enough.

On the other hand, he was furious. He'd given orders that his daughter never leave the walls of the castle. He'd always feared what might happen, and now…

Now it was more dangerous than ever, and Ailis had chosen to take his daughter out of the safety of her home for some foolish expedition to the beach. Worse, she had deliberately twisted his generosity to get her way.

He'd told her, just last night, that his daughter was not her concern, nor anything she should involve herself with. He'd tried to relent some this morning, to acknowledge the truth she'd spoken to him in their argument.

Now he was regretting that. It was obvious he needed to make it clear that any interference in raising Lily was not permitted.

He turned on his heel and strode to the gate, opening it with a bang as he passed through it.

First, he would make sure his daughter and his betrothed were safe. Then he would make sure that Ailis knew and understood his rules. And understood that, whatever freedom she might have as his betrothed or his wife, he was not to be defied on this. Ever.