Chapter 23

For a horrible moment when Ivy woke, she was worried shed dreamed it all. The bed was empty when she opened her eyes, save for her, of course… it was the chill that had woken her, and she frowned, rubbing her eyes blearily as she sat upright. If that had been a dream, it had been incredibly vivid. She could still feel traces of the dreamy afterglow of her orgasm… wait a minute. She was naked. She never slept naked — not with the chill of winter not quite chased away from the early spring air.

And when she opened her eyes, there was Edward, smiling softly at her from the chair by the window where he was lacing up his boots. A rush of relief more acute than anything shed felt in a long time ran through her… followed almost immediately by dismay.

Youre leaving?

Im on duty, Im afraid, he said regretfully, those blue eyes apologetic. Im late already or Id still be in that bed with you, mark my words.

Hmm, was all she could think to say as she flopped back into the embrace of the bed, unwilling to let her eyes stray from him. Why on earth did he have to go and guard the walls? The walls were going to be just fine. There were much more important things to be discussed here and now — but she resisted the urge to argue with him as he stooped to kiss her goodbye. Still, she caught his fingers in hers as he turned to leave. Tonight?

Surprise and delight colored the smile that rose to his lips. Ill be finished by dinner.

Its a date, she said archly, hoping that her hair didnt look quite as much like a birds nest as it had felt when shed run her fingers through it.

Edward nodded solemn agreement… then flashed her one more of those unbelievable smiles and was gone. She gazed at the closed door for a long moment after hed left… then buried her face in the pillow to muffle a decidedly undignified squeal of delight. God, when had been the last time shed felt like this? Not since she was a teenager… and even then, shed been too self-conscious to enjoy her silly crushes too much. Well, not anymore. She was a grown woman, damnit, and she was going to moon over this handsome man as much as she pleased.

After lazing in bed a little longer, she got up and dressed, her cheeks flushing anew every time some new sordid detail from the night before returned to her memory. Then she hastened down the stairs for breakfast. She was barely hungry — the fluttering in her stomach was putting a stop to the hearty appetite she and Edward had no doubt worked up the night before — but she was desperately hoping to run into one of her friends, someone she could tell about what had happened the night before. Theyd be thrilled for her, she knew it.

Ivy was delighted to spot Nancy and Elena on the other side of the dining hall and hastened over to join them… but the expression on their faces quickly put a damper on her ebullient mood. Elena looked furious, in that remote, distant way she had… and Nancys pretty face was marked with tears. Ivy looked between the two of them, feeling the smile on her face fade away. Whats the matter?

You havent heard, Elena said softly, shaking her head. Im sorry. Someone ought to have come to fetch you.

What happened? Ivy frowned.

This morning, Nancy said, shaking her head. It was so stupid. Mary Gilroy came before the Laird at breakfast, made a big song and dance about needing an audience before the Clan and everyone. She insisted that you not be allowed near her grandchild. She dragged Anna along too, to make it seem like it was the childs mother who was making the request, but it was pretty clear who was pulling the strings.

She was talking about me, specifically? Ivy felt her stomach drop at the thought of Mary speaking to the Laird about her without her being there to defend herself. What did she say?

Unpleasantness, Elena muttered.

But Nancy was clearly still furious — Ivy had a suspicion that the marks of tears on her face were from frustration more than sadness.

She said you were too much of a stranger to care for their child. She also said a lot of nonsense about you distracting Edward from his search for their real child.

Which one is it? Ivy demanded, incensed. Is the child they keep foisting off on nursemaids their child, or is their child out there in the forest somewhere with some mysterious Fae creature who stole him for no good reason and left a perfect replica of a regular human baby in his place?

Thats what I said! Nancys indignation made Ivy feel a lot better, though her stomach was still in knots when she sat down with the women to discuss the situation. This changed things. Her being expressly forbidden from seeing Colin — not only by the family, but in front of the whole Keep — meant she couldnt keep observing him for symptoms.

Youll need to find another way to prove hes not a Changeling, Elena said softly. You saw Maggie yesterday, didnt you? Did she have any ideas?

She was angry that wed even suggested the Sidhe would have snatched a child for no reason, Ivy said, shaking her head with a rueful smile. Poor Edward got quite a telling off. But yeah — she suggested iron.

Thats a great idea, Nancy gasped. Touch him with iron, thatll make it obvious to anyone with half a brain that hes all human.

Then you might be able to get through to them about his condition, Elena supplied, though her expression was still troubled. At the very least, he should be out of any immediate danger.

Do it in front of everyone, Nancy said, almost bouncing up and down in her seat with enthusiasm. Especially that Mary woman. Make her apologize to you in front of the Laird and everyone, too. Nasty old woman.

Theres something wrong there, Elena said softly, half to herself. Something were not seeing.

Ivy nodded. I think youre right. But one crisis at a time, right? She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. Doing it in front of people is a good idea, I think. At the very least, the Laird should witness it … and Ill probably need him on my side to convince Brian and Anna to let us do it in the first place, she added sourly.

Easy. Brendan and Malcolm are meeting with Donal in his quarters after breakfast — you can come in with us and talk to him then, Nancy suggested.

Ivy smiled at her, feeling the frustration and worry of the morning beginning to melt away in the bright light of her friends support.

It felt good to have them at her side a little while later, too, as she made her way down the hallways toward the Lairds quarters. Hed been nothing but friendly to her, but she felt a little nervous about speaking to him, nevertheless… a little bit like being sent to the principals office in school. Even when you hadnt done anything wrong, the anxiety still lingered. She wished like hell that Anna was going to be there too — Anna Grant, that was, the firecracker of a woman shed met her first night here. Having the Lairds wife in her corner would have made her feel a lot better about what she was about to ask him… but unfortunately, she was staying in the village for a spell.

This is okay,Ivy told herself firmly, taking a moment to collect herself before knocking on the door to the Lairds quarters. You can do this. Shed testified in court in defense of autistic kids, hadnt she? Surely this couldnt be as scary as all of that.

The first thing she noticed when she stepped into the room with Nancy and Elena behind her was how tired the Laird looked. The wan smile on his face didnt hide the exhaustion well, and she felt a brief pang of sympathy for what the man must be going through. The additional guests in the Keep were one thing — a few dozen extra mouths to feed and bodies to house probably added up as the weeks wore on — but the ongoing dispute about Colin Gilroy was another layer entirely. She braced herself, hoping that what she was there to say might help the situation rather than hindering it.

Lady Jones, its good to see you, Laird Donal said, but she didnt miss the meaningful look hed exchanged with Malcolm and Brendan, who were both seated with him at the table. Id hoped to speak with you today.

About Mary Gilroy? Ivy asked, trying to keep the frustration out of her voice and expression.

Donal nodded, his eyes flicking briefly to Nancy and Elena. So youve been told about what happened this morning.

I have, she said, folding her hands in front of her to stop herself from fidgeting with them. It was a trick one of the lawyers had suggested before shed testified at the hearing — something she was trying not to think about right now. I wish shed spoken to me privately instead of making a scene, but Ill comply with the familys wishes, of course.

Good to hear. Laird Donal rubbed his forehead tiredly. Perhaps its best that you werent there. We can speak a little more frankly about the matter here. Ive been speaking regularly with Edward, as you know, and I hope you know that I dont believe youve overstepped in any way regarding young Colin. The Gilroys are…

The expression on Malcolms face beside him spoke volumes — Ivy had noticed that the headstrong young tanisttended to be a little less strict about controlling his expression than his Laird.

Theyre going through a lot, Ivy said softly.

Putting us through a lot, too, Malcolm mumbled, and the look Donal shot him was a decidedly brotherly mixture of warning and amusement. Apologies, Laird.

What have you been able to learn about the child? the Laird asked, leaning forward over the table with a hopeful look on his face. Before you were forbidden from his presence, that is.

Hes showing clear signs of autism, she said.

The Laird nodded, which told her that Edward must have been filling him in on what he was learning in his conversations with Ivy. She felt a rush of appreciation and gratitude for the man for helping spread the word.

And from everything Edwards been telling me — and from talking with Old Maggie — theres no reason to believe that the Fae have interfered with him in any way. Im more Changeling than he is, she added with a faint smile, an observation that Edward had made a few days ago that had tickled her.

Id suspected as much, Laird Donal said with a sigh. I met the child myself, only briefly of course, but I saw no signs that hed been touched by the Sidhe or anyone else. But the family seem utterly convinced… and Brian Gilroy is nothing if not stalwart once he takes a position on a matter.

Hell see reason if its shown to him, Ivy said firmly, straightening her spine. Thats why Ive come here today, actually, Laird Donal. I have an idea that might help resolve the situation.

Im eager to hear it, the Laird said, gesturing for her to continue.

Ivy took a deep breath. We need to test Colin with iron in front of both Clans. That will show them once and for all that hes human.