Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

L yla scowled at the window. The rain was still falling, lightning and thunder an almost continuous presence in the air.

Two days had passed since her arrival at MacMillan Keep. Two days of trying to keep herself occupied while the rain fell and the storms rumbled across the sky.

She and Alyn had done almost everything either of them could think of to do. They’d played card games together, and with Ryan and Cai when they could find them, until all of them were bored and there was no point because Cai had all the money.

They’d read books together, but neither of them were the sort to enjoy sitting quietly for hours on end, doing nothing but reading. The light was also poor, with only firelight and sullen gray illumination through the windows to read by.

They’d worked on their sewing and drawing, but again, there was only so much of either that one could do, and the mood brought on by the rain made the air feel heavy, and turned it into a somber chore rather than an enjoyable activity.

Riding was impossible, as was spending time in the garden. They could write letters, but there was no way to send them. They could write journals, but what was there to say? ‘Weather cold, wet and dreary, another day passes in attempting to find occupation that isnae mind-numbing or wearying.’

Evenings, they played some music for everyone’s amusement, but right now everyone was busy with their appointed tasks.

“What shall we do now?” Alyn asked.

Lyla shrugged her shoulders. “I dinnae ken. We’ve played cards and other games until we’re both well bored o’ them, and I dinnae feel like reading or needle-work.”

Alyn nodded. “Well, let’s take a turn about the keep, and mayhap some idea fer a diversion will come tae us.”

It was a better idea than standing at the window and watching the rain fall. Lyla gathered up a shawl as proof against the chill of the corridors, and followed Alyn into the halls. They’d been roaming aimlessly for perhaps half a candle-mark when they ran into Ryan. Alyn stopped and frowned at him. “What are ye doing inside? I would have thought ye’d be drilling the warriors.”

Ryan snorted and gestured to the nearest window. “In this muck? There wouldnae be a man left standing within minutes, as muddy and treacherous as the ground is, and Healer Neave wouldnae thank us fer the extra work. She’s enough patients who’ve come down with chills and coughs as it is.”

“Then ye’re nae practicing at all?”

“Nae. Every man who’s not on the wall fer duty is either seeing tae his gear, taking time with his kith and kin, or enjoying the day off.” Ryan shrugged his shoulders. “I was on me way tae see if Cai and Daemon had aught fer me tae dae, or if I need tae seek me own amusement.”

Alyn brightened. “That sounds like a fine idea.”

Lyla frowned. She hadn’t seen much of Daemon since that first night, and from the way he made an excuse and left the room whenever she arrived, she thought he was avoiding her. She might have been hurt, but she and Daemon had never gotten along all that well, not even when Rowan had been there to stand between them. He was civil enough, most of the time, but hardly friendly.

Still, having some idea of an activity was better than nothing, so she nodded her agreement and followed the other two to Daemon’s study. Inside, Daemon and Cai were playing chess. The desk was clear of any paperwork, and both men looked as weary of the weather as the rest of them.

Daemon was the first to speak. “What brings ye here?”

“Boredom.” Alyn laughed. “The weather is miserable enough, and we’re all searching fer something tae dae. Ryan was hoping ye’d have a task fer him, but it looks as if yer day is as aimless as ours.”

Cai shrugged. “There’s nae much tae dae with this weather, and nae man or beast stirring that doesnae have tae.” He made a face. “Come tae that, we were just discussing searching the inventory and wondering if it were worth it tae search fer any unused rooms and recorded items.”

Lyla doubted there were any such items. Rowan had always been careful about keeping good records when she was alive, and Cai didn’t seem to be the type who would let the records lapse. However, his words did bring to mind an idea – a game she and her sisters, even her mother before her passing, had loved to play on rainy days. “We could have a game o’ hide and seek.”

“There’s an excellent idea.” Alyn grinned. “There’s far and away enough hiding places in the keep tae make the game worth playing, and I havenae played hide and seek in years.”

Ryan smirked. “I’ve done me fair share o’ both hiding and seeking, but I cannae say I’d mind a game.” He took Alyn’s hand with a raised eyebrow. “And I’ll wager I can find ye nae matter where ye hide, me lady.”

“’Tis a wager I’ll hold ye tae.” Alyn giggled.

Lyla looked to Daemon. “What o’ ye?”

Daemon shook his head. “There’s nae a chance in the world that I’ll be caught playing such a game.”

The sharpness of his response stung more than she expected. “There’s nae harm in it, and ‘twill be good fun.”

Daemon snorted, his mouth pressing into a thin, severe line. “I willnae be cozened or coaxed intae playing a child’s game.” He folded his arms. “I ken ye’re a child, and like tae be so at heart, being the youngest o’ yer kin, but I’m nae. I’m too old and am responsible as laird o’ this keep and clan and cannae be dragged intae some foolish romp. And I certainly willnae risk my reputation if someone else should catch word o’ yer antics.”

Lyla felt her spine stiffen as if he’d slapped her. “If that’s the way ye feel…”

Alyn broke in. “Och, Daemon, dinnae be so sour. ‘Tis only a game, and there’s plenty o’ places tae hide – I’ve lost count o’ how many alcoves, nooks and little rooms there are here! And it will be a few hours where we’re nae sitting around and going mad with boredom.”

“I’ll nae risk being a laughingstock o’ the servants.” Daemon shook his head again.

“I dinnae think ye would be, but suit yerself.” Alyn shrugged and turned to Cai. “And what o’ ye?”

Cai considered, then stood from his chair. “I’d nae mind joining ye. I’m in the mood for something other than chess, something tae get me blood flowing as well as me mind working.”

“Then ‘tis four players, and we can start in the Great Hall, and decide the rules there.” Alyn turned and hurried back out the door, Ryan right beside her.

Lyla hesitated, then shook her head when Cai looked as if he’d stay behind. “I’ll be along. There’s something I wish tae say tae Laird MacMillan.”

Once the door shut behind Cai, she turned to Daemon and put her hands on her hips. She still felt hurt by his words, but more than that, she felt angry at his dismissal. “Dinnae ever again treat me like some naive child who thinks life is easy, like some story or bard’s tale. I’m neither a child nor naive – and I’ll thank ye tae remember that I’ve lost both me maither and sister, and have been raised by a faither who scarce kent what tae dae with three daughters, and was always worried about our futures and that o’ our clan. Dinnae think I never worried, or me sisters. But we still played hide and seek and other games like that, even when we were all full grown. Dae ye ken why?”

Daemon shook his head. “Because life is hard enough, without staying constantly focused on the difficulties o’ it. Things like children’s games and spending time with folk ye care about – that’s what makes life worth the living, and reminds us that there’s light and laughter as well as darkness and storms on the horizon. I’d rather that, than be miserable, and I’d gladly be considered a child and a laughingstock if it meant I was also content and happy in me life, even if I ken I’m nae. Better that, than sad and lonely and trapped by the ghosts o’ the past and unable tae see past what I’ve lost.”

Daemon stared at her. Lyla gave him a moment, but when he made no reply, she turned away and left the room, shutting the door behind her.

Daemon MacMillan could say what he liked about her. And he could sit in his study and brood if that was what he felt like doing. She was going to have some fun, and enjoy the game with her friends.