Chapter 24

One minute, Daemon was lost in the heat of passion, desire consuming him, the next Lyla was bolting across the room and gathering up clothing as the voice of Laird Kaelin MacDougall echoed through the door.

Realization crashed over him like ice water as desire drowned in the sudden understanding that his lover's father – her father who had no idea they'd become lovers – was standing outside the door. Daemon dove for his belt and sash.

"Lyla, are ye there?"

"Aye. A moment, Faither. I... I need tae finish dressing."

"Finish dressing? Lyla, what are ye…?"

"I spilled something on me dress, and I was changing." She whirled to Daemon. "We need tae find some place fer ye tae hide."

Daemon blinked. "Why?"

Lyla stared at him, surprise on her face. "And what were ye thinking o' saying, when the door is opened and me faither sees ye?"

Daemon had to admit, this wasn't a position he'd intended to find himself in. Still, he couldn't bring himself to regret it. He smiled, and reached out to brush a lock of hair from her face. "We'll tell him that I've been courting ye and was here declaring me love fer ye. And then I'll ask his permission tae formally betroth tae ye."

Lyla froze, her eyes wide. "Ye... ye mean it?"

"That I love ye, and wish tae court ye, then betroth tae ye and eventually wed ye? Aye." Daemon smiled. "Why would ye think aught else?"

"I dinnae ken what tae think." Daemon smiled at the sight of her flustered expression. "I just…"

"Lyla! Open this door! Ye cannae possibly be taking that long tae change yer skirt, and I wish tae speak tae ye!" Her father's voice made them break apart once more.

Daemon started to move toward the door, but Lyla caught his arm. "Nae, ye need tae hide!"

Daemon frowned. "Why?"

"Because I dinnae want me faither tae have a heart attack the minute he sees ye! And he will, as soon as he sees ye in me rooms with the door locked." Lyla hissed the words with such urgency that he allowed himself to be dragged backward. "Faither never had an inkling that I was interested in any man, let alone ye! There's a proper time and place tae be explaining matters like that, and this isnae it!"

Daemon frowned. "Ye ken I'm laird o' this castle. ‘Tis nae appropriate tae hide in me own home…"

"And if ye dinnae dae so now, I'll make sure that ye're hiding something altogether different! Like the sound o' yer voice after I've kicked yer jewels intae yer gut." She looked so fierce that he almost feared that she was serious.

Daemon sighed, but stepped back. "Fine. I'll hide, since it means so much tae ye. However…" He cupped her face and bent to press a quick kiss to her lips. "I will be speaking tae yer faither about us at some point while he's here."

"I ken. Now hide!" Lyla shoved him in the direction of the changing screen as another burst of pounding rattled the door.

* * *

Lyla watched Daemon disappear behind the privacy screen, then hurried to open the door before her father could find someone to break it open. He might feel bad about damaging Daemon's castle later, but she knew from the tone of his voice that he would get the door open, one way or another.

She grabbed the latch and flung it back, then pulled the door free just as her father raised his hand to pound on it again. "Faither, I'm here. What's so urgent?"

Her father wrapped his arms around her in greeting, and Lyla returned the embrace with a smile. Once he stepped back, he answered her. "I wanted tae be sure ye were well. When they said ye'd left the feast in Laird MacMillan's arms…"

"Och, he was offering me an escort, since we've had some trouble here o' late. He didnae want me walking the halls alone. But once I was in me rooms, he left." Lyla brushed at the fabric of her skirt, glad it hadn't gotten too mussed from their activities. She'd managed to retie her bodice laces, but not as tight as she usually did. She hoped the sash would cover that. Then again, her father had never paid particular attention to the way she dressed, not once her elder sister had started dressing like a man and training as a warrior.

Her father huffed. "'Tis good o' him. I'd heard about the trouble here. ‘Twas the reason I came tae MacMillan Keep. I came tae take ye back home, where ye'll be safe."

Lyla felt her heart sink with disappointment at the news, but she kept a smile on her face. "I see. We didnae ken ye were coming, or we'd have had something prepared tae welcome ye. As it is…"

"Ye're having a feast tae honor women. One o' the lads minding the door told me." Kaelin smiled. "'Tis a noble thing tae be doing, and I'm surprised ‘tis nae been done afore. ‘Tis good o' Daemon tae have had the idea and taken time tae organize it, especially when I ken he was also planning tae send troops tae aid MacLean."

Lyla didn't bother to correct him about who had organized the feast. "It was a good idea. I think folk have truly enjoyed the feast, and the idea o' honoring women."

"Aye." Her father's smile broadened, and a hint of mischief entered his weathered face. "And tae think ye used tae be afraid o' him."

Lyla felt her ears burning as she recalled how nervous she'd been about being around Daemon when she was younger. She was embarrassed now, especially since she knew Daemon was only a few feet away, and could hear every word. "I was a little unnerved by his demeanor, fer he seemed so stern, but I wouldnae say I was afraid…"

"Och, dinnae try tae sugar-coat it. I remember when he was courting Rowan, and ye asked her straight out how she could stand tae wed such a stern and frightening looking figure. Ye actually asked if he really was the devil's servant, and I had tae explain it was only a nickname. I'm nae sure I actually convinced ye, though ye never asked again." Her father chuckled.

Lyla felt a blush spreading across her cheeks. "Faither, I was younger…"

"Nae much, considering ye were still wary o' him at Erin's wedding."

"He was grieving. O' course I was uncertain about approaching him." Lyla looked down in embarrassment. "In any case, he's been kind tae me while I was staying here, and I've come tae find his company very welcome."

"'Tis good tae hear." Kaelin hugged her once more. "I need tae find him and secure lodgings, as well as discuss the situation between Clan MacLean and Clan Ranald. Ye should return tae the feast."

"Aye." Lyla gave her faither a kiss on the forehead. "Will I see ye there later?"

"Likely, once I've spoken tae Laird MacMillan. Though I may seek me rest instead, depending on how long it takes me tae find him." Kaelin offered her a final smile and left the room, shutting the door behind him.

Tense silence filled the room for a minute. Then Daemon emerged from hiding, a smirk on his face and one eyebrow raised in an amused question. Lyla's fading blush returned in full force. "Dinnae look so smug."

Daemon chuckled. "Ye were frightened o' me?"

"Wary o' yer temperament, rather." Lyla forced herself to meet his eyes, and did her best to ignore both his smirk and her own embarrassment. "Ye dae have quite the reputation."

"Aye. I've a reputation fer many things. Some truer than others…" His expression changed with desire and laughter.

"Hush ye." Lyla slapped his chest in exasperation. "I ken what ye're thinking o' and the answer is nae. Me faither is looking fer ye, and we dinnae want tae be gone tae long. Especially since I'm only supposed tae be changing."

"What o' telling yer faither about us?"

"We'll sort that out later. Fer now, we both need tae go. I need tae get back tae the feast, and ye need tae go intercept me faither afore he begins tae wonder where ye're hiding, and why ye're nae in attendance at a feast ye planned."

"All right." Daemon smiled. He offered her one last caress, then went to the door and opened it cautiously. After a quick look to make sure there was no one in the corridor to see him emerging from her rooms, Daemon turned, kissed her once lightly on the mouth, and left.

Lyla waited long enough for her blush to fade and her heart to stop pounding, then went to rejoin the feast.

The eating and dancing went on late into the night, until the womenfolk from the village and the serving lasses retired to rest before resuming their duties. To Lyla's disappointment, neither Daemon or her father made an appearance before she retired. She went to bed with a vague feeling of discontent.

I cannae hide how I feel about Daemon from me faither fer long. But how dae I tell him I've fallen fer me late sister's husband?

She was still considering it when she finally slipped into sleep.