Chapter 8

"Here we are. Castle Muir."

Ailis stared at the huge structure as it loomed out of the dusk. She'd been expecting a crude building, slightly larger than a village headman's house, or mayhap a half-repaired ruin. Not a fortress.

But this was very much a proper castle, and quite large. It was also clearly intact and well-fortified to withstand any attack. It was impressive, and far from what she'd been led to expect.

Duncan guided her through the gates to a set of stables. He'd hardly spoken two words since that moment in the woods, and his voice almost startled her out of her saddle when he spoke.

"Aye." Ailis slid down from her saddle, looking around in awe. "'Tis… I had heard yer castle was burned, so I wasnae expectin' anythin' like this."

His voice was softer, and his shoulders a little less tense when he replied, "Aye. But we rebuilt here, where ‘tis safer. It isnae as comfortable, and ‘tis more remote, but I hope ye'll like it anyway." There was a bit of dark amusement in his voice when he continued, "And we do have a library for ye to read yer way through, and add volumes to yer heart's content."

"I'm sure it will suit me well."

On the one hand, the idea of a library all her own was exciting. On the other hand, his words only served to remind her of what she didn't have, and what he seemed determined to refuse to give her.

They handed over the horses, and the guards carried their bags inside, where a few maids in Muir tartan awaited them. One among them stepped forward. "Welcome home, Me Laird."

"Thank ye, Kara." Duncan beckoned Ailis forward, though he didn't take her hand like he had when they were in her father's castle. "This is Lady Ailis Anderson. I'd like ye to see her to her quarters and tend to her needs."

"As ye wish, Me Laird. Are there any particular guest quarters ye'd like me to prepare for the lady?"

Duncan glanced at Ailis once, a quick, unreadable glance that she could make nothing of before he turned back to Kara. "Nay. 'Tis nae the guest chambers she'll be stayin' in. Lady Ailis will be stayin' in the chambers of the Lady of the clan."

The servants started, and Ailis felt something twist in her stomach. As his servants, especially the ones who seemed to be responsible for seeing to his comfort, they should have known about her.

What had he told them about his journey? Had he told anyone he went to claim a potential bride? Or was she just a stranger to them, a random lass their Laird had brought home?

If they didn't know he'd gone to claim her hand, then what did they think her purpose here was? And what did they think of her claiming the Lady's chambers?

She wasn't sure of the answers, but she knew what most people were likely to think, and that made her cheeks burn with embarrassment.

The maid was too polite to say anything. She simply nodded. "Aye, Me Laird."

Duncan started to turn away, and Ailis hesitated a moment, then hurried after him. "Me Laird… Duncan. Wait a moment. There's somethin' I need to discuss with ye, afore I retire."

He hesitated a moment, then gave a curt nod. He gestured to the waiting servants. "Take Her Ladyship's things to her rooms, air them out, and prepare them for her arrival. I'll have her escorted there after we finish our discussion." He turned back toward Ailis. "Come along to me study, and we'll talk there."

Ailis followed him, her stomach still fluttering with nerves and an edge of uncertainty. It was only when they arrived at his study and the heavy door clicked shut behind her that she found the words to speak.

"Ye cannae give me the Lady's chambers."

One dark eyebrow rose over a laconic expression. "And why nae?"

Ailis glared at him. "Why nae? Start with the fact that apparently, yer servants didnae even ken ye were bringin' a fiancée. What do ye think they think of me, appearin' and takin' over the Lady's chambers? And then there's the fact that we dinnae even ken that we'll be wed. I might even leave within the month, and that will look far worse."

* * *

Duncan stared at Ailis in bemusement. A part of him was shocked at her vehemence. Another part of him was surprised she still had any thought that he might not wed her. Hadn't he shown his determination to claim her hand thus far?

And then there was a part of him that was a little bit mortified. Because she was right. He'd told his council that he was taking a short trip to look for a wife, but he'd never given them any idea that his journey had been successful.

He couldn't even be sure he'd told Jack about his plans, and he knew that he was the only one who'd seen the letters aside from the rider who'd delivered them. He was certainly the only one who'd read them.

And Duncan knew for a fact that he'd not told any of the servants of his intentions, for fear that Lily might hear and ask him awkward questions. Nor had he sent word back from Castle Clyde.

In part, that was because he'd been acting as if everyone in his clan knew about his "letter courtship." In another part, it was simply because he'd forgotten that they would need some warning to properly welcome Ailis. Without that warning, there would be rumors about her flying through the servants' quarters, and not all of them would be flattering.

He'd lived away from others for so long that he'd forgotten some of the general courtesies, it seemed. He'd have to make it up to her.

She was still waiting for an answer.

He sighed. "Ye're right that I should have given the servants more warnin'. I'll make an announcement tomorrow at breakfast. I hope that suits ye."

After a long moment, she nodded, and he turned to his desk. "As for whether or nae we'll be wed, I'd like to read somethin' to ye."

He pulled out a set of folded parchment and saw in her eyes that she recognized it. He pulled a page free, scanned it, and cleared his throat. "Me Laird, ye cannae imagine how I long for yer touch. How I desire ye and dream about the day ye'll take me in yer arms, carry me to yer bed and make me?—"

"Ye brute!" She went to snatch the letters out of his hand, and he lifted them out of reach, amused by the furious blush on her delicate cheeks. "Ye were supposed to be dead! Or at least nae readin' those!"

She folded her arms, and he swallowed hard, as it drew his attention to the swell of her breasts, and the way they moved with her ragged breaths.

"And what has it to do with which rooms I'm sleepin' in?"

"Ye're nae just me guest, ye're me betrothed. Even if, for some reason, we willnae wed, for now, ye should have every courtesy. As ye're the closest thing to a Lady the clan has, ‘tis only proper that ye have the Lady's chambers. And nay one will think twice about it, once the announcement is made and I tell them that we arrived too late for me to make it tonight."

He stepped closer. "In fact, if I made that announcement and ye werenae housed in the Lady's chambers, there would be far more questions." He offered her a crooked half-smile. "And then, of course, there's the most important reason for ye to take them."

"And what's that?"

He leaned close to whisper in her ear. "They're right next to mine, naturally."

Ailis let out a muffled sound and jerked back. Her face was a study in conflicting emotions. "Ye… what are ye about? Ye keep goin' hot and cold, teasin' me one minute and clammin' up the next…"

He had no good answer for her, or even for himself, and was grateful when the study door opened abruptly and Jack strode in.

"Duncan, I heard ye were back, and there were rumors…"

Jack stopped dead, staring at Ailis. Ailis stared back.

Duncan sighed. "Ailis, this is me braither, Jack Wallace. Jack, this is Ailis Anderson, the eldest daughter of Laird Clyde, who I've recently asked for her hand in marriage."

He thought his brother might collapse with the shock. He turned to Ailis, feigning a nonchalance he didn't feel. "I ken ye have concerns, but for now, it would be best if ye retire to yer rooms to rest and refresh yerself. If ye have any further questions, ye can ask me after breakfast tomorrow mornin'."

Ailis's gaze flicked between him and Jack. She seemed to be struggling with herself. Then she jutted her chin, her eyes sparkling as she stepped up as close to him as their differing heights would allow.

"Very well, Me Laird. However, dinnae think this discussion is over, for I'll see to it that we finish it later." She arched a delicate eyebrow in a distinctly challenging manner that sent his blood rushing below his belt. "One way or another."

Then, before he could think of a response, she turned on her heel and gracefully walked out of the study.

He couldn't help it. Duncan laughed harder than he could remember laughing about anything other than some of Lily's more inventive tricks. Jack stared at him as if he'd grown a second head.

When his brother finally stopped laughing, Jack whispered, "Holy God above… I dinnae ken who the lass is, aside from her name, but if ye dinnae wed her, I will. Any lass who can bespell ye enough to laugh like that…"

Duncan blinked, startled both by his brother's words and by the possessiveness that rushed through him. "Careful, Braither. She's mine." He coughed to dispel the urge to say something harsher, and made an effort to steer the conversation back to safer ground. "Besides, I laugh well enough."

"Nae like that. If ye could see yer face… ye looked ten years younger, with that expression. And if the servants heard ye, they'll be lookin' for Fae Folk in the shadows, for they'll never believe it was ye." Jack paused. "Actually… I'm nae sure I believe that sound came from me dour elder braither."

Duncan scowled at him. "I'm nae that bad."

"Ye are." Jack eyed him, then smirked. "And there's the Duncan I ken and love. Grouchy as a winter-awakened bear."

"Come off it." Duncan reached out and discretely stuffed Ailis's letters back into the top desk drawer before Jack could see them and comment on them—or worse, read them. Then he walked over to a small cupboard and grabbed a bottle of whiskey and two glasses.

He poured a measure for each of them and motioned for Jack to take a seat. "I've been gone for nearly three days. Tell me what's been goin' on in the clan and the lands while I've been away."

Jack began his report. Duncan sat back and listened, and tried to forget the tension in his gut, or the way he'd felt when he'd met Ailis's fiery, determined gaze.