Chapter 9
"And how is that?" Leah asked as she eased Mason to the headboard, fluffing his pillow for comfort.
"Better," Mason mumbled. "Thank ye."
"Aye, well, tis nay good to be lyin' down all down.
Ye at least need to see the world from a different perspective every once in a while," Leah said, flashing Mason a smile.
When she first started seeing Mason, she couldn't see how Mason was related to Killian other than the color of their hair.
But over the weeks, she started picking up more and more details that linked the two of them as brothers.
"Is that how ye can stand bein' in the same room as that man?
" Mason asked as Leah poured him a cup of her willow bark and lavender tea.
With unsteady hands, Mason held the cup.
Leah watched as the glass clattered and rattled against the saucer plate.
She took a deep breath, fighting against the urge to take the cup and help him with it.
At least the clatter would cease. But he had to learn and regain his strength, and having things done for him was no way to get him better.
"Killian has shown me nay ill will," Leah explained as his name caught in her throat. Just the mere thought of him caused little bumps to rise over her skin. Images of his face popped into her mind as her lips singed once again as if he were right there, crushing his lips to hers.
"Daenae let that man fool ye," Mason said, setting the teacup on his lap. The lack of clatter caused the room to go still. There was no denying the weight that was placed on her shoulders the second her gaze met Mason's. "He's cunnin'."
"One must be if they're to be the laird, daenae ye think?
" Leah asked as she tried to dispel the tension.
But not even her light-hearted tone could shift the weight off her shoulders.
Mason stared at her. His hand whipped out faster than a snake.
Mason's fingers were around Leah's wrist before she even knew he had moved.
"Mason?" Leah stared at him as a rush of dread plowed through her like a storm on the moors.
"Promise me ye'll be careful when ye're around him," Mason whispered as his eyes shifted to the door half-crazed, expecting someone to come through. "He has a way of gettin' in yer head. Ye cannae let him to do that. Promise me, ye'll be careful."
"Aye," Leah said in her most calming tone. She placed a soothing hand over his to remind him to release her. A tear formed in his bloodshot eyes and rolled down his cheek. Horror flickered in his gaze as Leah removed his hand from hers. "I'll be careful. Ye have me word."
"There's rumors," Mason said, his tone a bit more collected than before.
"When isnae there? I ken ye’re cooped up in this room all the time, and ye’re nay doubt itchin' for news.
But ye cannae believe everythin' ye hear," Leah said, trying to keep her voice light and airy.
She didn't like the fact that Mason had worked himself up into a frenzy.
It certainly wasn't good for his health, that much she was certain of.
"I ken me brother and what he's capable of doin'," Mason said stone-faced.
"And what exactly is it ye heard?" Leah asked as she eased the tea cup once again to Mason and sat back.
"He took ye against yer will," Mason hissed as if the words were thorns. "Is it true? I'll have ye avenged."
Leah's hand darted to her mouth to stifle the dark chuckle threatening to come out. Mason's eyes widened as his expression grew cold. He looked at her as if she were his mortal enemy.
"That's nae what happened. The laird didnae touch me," Leah said.
"I'd sayin' kissin' ye is touchin' ye," Mason huffed.
"
"Mason, I understand that ye want to protect me," Leah said as the door creaked open. "But I promise ye, I can handle me own affairs."
"As any strong independent woman should." Alan's voice rang through the room. Leah rose from the chair and collected Mason's cup from him. She had hoped he would have drank more, but she'd put enough bark in the tea to ease Mason into sleep in minutes.
"Alan," Mason said through a wet cough. "I wasnae expectin' ye come today."
"Nonsense, me lad," Alan said as he hobbled to the chair Leah had just occupied. "I come to see ye everyday. And how are ye doin' today?"
"Better," Mason answered as Leah felt his eyes shift to her.
"Aye well, with a lass like her, of course ye'd be feelin' better," Alan chuckled as Leah collected the dirty dishes.
"I've given him some tea that will make him sleepy," Leah said over her shoulder. "So daenae be surprised if he cannae hold a conversation in a bit."
"Leah," Mason called for her as she started for the door with the tray of dirty dishes. "Please heed me warnin'. Ye cannae trust him."
"I hope ye're nae talkin' about me," Alan said with a hearty chuckle.
"Nay," Mason answered. "I fear for Leah bein' around me brother. The rumors are disturbin'."
Leah watched as Alan helped ease Mason back into the pillow. "There me lad. I think ye've had a bit too much excitement as it is. Perhaps we should refrain from the daily reports until ye've slept?"
"Nay," Mason argued as Leah pulled open the door. "I want to hear what it is me brother has ruined now."
Rolling her eyes, Leah left Alan and Mason chatting away.
Over the weeks, Leah had seen firsthand Mason's disdain for Killian.
It wasn't enough that Mason refused to let his brother into his room to see him, but the vile things Mason would say were starting to grate on Leah's nerves.
She wished there was some way she could get the brothers to reconcile, but the animosity between them ran too deep.
"Sorry," Leah said as she placed the dirty dishes on the counter in the kitchen. She felt bad for bringing more in when the rest of breakfast had already been cleared away.
"How is the young master doin'?" Elsie asked from the small round table. Her voice startled Leah. Turning about to face Elsie, Leah flashed her a welcoming smile.
"The same," Leah answered. "Although I do think he has more energy than he's lettin' on."
Elsie arched her eyebrow as she continued snapping the pole beans into the bowl. "Oh? And what gives ye that impression?"
"Mason grabbed me hand rather aggressively, almost as if he was ready to defend to the death," Leah answered.
"Ye were talkin' about Killian with him, werenae ye?" Elsie chuckled. "Aye, the lad gets a wee bit more spirit about him when ye mention his brother."
"I still daenae see why there's such hatred between the two of them," Leah said as she slipped into the empty chair next to Elsie and started snapping the beans.
Elsie leaned in close and, in a low, conspiratorial tone that rattled Leah, let the secret spill.
"Mason was a witness to Killian killin' their faither.
It's how Killian became laird. It was a wild, violent fit, and Killian snapped.
Mason was too weak to stop him. The whole thin' was a tragedy neither of those boys should have been through. "
Leah cupped her hand to her mouth to stifle the gasp that slipped from her tongue. Out of all the different scenarios Leah could have come up with as to why the brothers hated each other, she never would have thought of Killian putting an end to his own father.
"Mason has never forgiven Killian and I daenae think he ever will. But it's the secret to gettin' Mason to move when he's in a mood. Just mention Killian and that'll put a fire under Mason to get him movin'," Elsie said.
"That's horrific," Leah managed to say as her hand dropped from her mouth.
"Aye, tragic to be sure," Elsie said. "But ye have to understand, their faither was nae the best sort of man."
"Ye kenned him?" Leah asked as she found herself eager to learn as much about Killian as she could. And this little bit of history about him painted a better image of who Killian was, not only to her but to his clan as well.
"Aye, but briefly. It was me maither who had worked for him before her passin'," Elsie answered. "She saw the demise of the family. Although, Killian has done a fine job of holdin' the pieces of the clan together, despite his complications."
Leah's eyes widened. "And what complications does the laird have?"
A smirk tickled the corner of Elsie's lips. "Have ye nae seen his mood swings? Violent temper? The laird is mad. He's ever on edge and thinks half the clan is trying to kill him and put Mason in his place."
"But Mason can barely hold his head up without help," Leah said as Elsie bobbed her head.
"Aye," Elsie answered with a knowing smile. "And now ye see the predicament."
Leah bobbed her head as she let Elsie's words seep into her.
Was Killian as mad as everyone claimed him to be?
She couldn't see. What she saw was a man who was at his wit's end and struggling.
Both of the brothers were, that was clear.
The situation made Leah want to find some way to show the brothers they didn't have to be enemies.
But what could she do? Killian trusted her as far as he could through her, and Mason was in no position to do anything.
"Doesnae Mason see that if Killian wanted to kill him too, he'd have every opportunity to do so?" Leah asked. "Mason is after all bed ridden. It's nae like he can move very fast, or even do anythin' to stop Killian if that's what he wanted to do."
"Aye, that's where ye have the council," Elsie explained. "Ye've noticed them comin' in havenae ye?"
"Alan was in there today," Leah answered.
"And other's come about too dependin' on the events of the day and what Killian does, or doesnae do. But it's the council that want to see Mason as Laird."
"They'll be able to control Mason," Leah mumbled as she realized maybe there was some weight to Killian's fear and paranoia.
"Aye, and the MacMillan clan is nae a small clan. We've got at least a quarter of Scotland as relations," Elsie said.
"That's a lot of influence," Leah said as she glanced around the busy kitchen. A tingle raced down her spine as an uneasiness settled on her.
"That it is. But ye've seen Killian. The man is a beast. The council fears him and rightfully so," Elsie continued.
After finishing the last bit of beans, Leah felt antsy. She rose from the table and dusted her hands on her apron. Although she didn't have a clue where she was going, the need to leave was overwhelming.
"Well, it's been a busy mornin'," Leah said. "I think I should give Killian his report while it is still fresh on me mind."
"Aye," Elsie said with a nod as if she grabbed the full bowl and placed it on the counter behind her. "What time is it?"
"Around two," Leah answered, glancing at the window.
"Ye'll find the laird in the study," Elsie said as she flashed Leah a wink. "In case ye were wonderin'."
"Daenae look at me like that," Leah said, shaking her head. "There's nothin' between me and the laird."
"Did I say anythin'? Nay, I kept me mouth shut," Elsie said as Leah headed for the door. "Nae that we arenae all thinkin' it."
Leah glared at Elsie before stepping out of the kitchen.
She had had enough of the gossip, which seemed to revolve around her, making her nervous.
How was she supposed to keep up appearances when she found it harder and harder not to be drawn to Killian?
It seemed that no matter what she found out about him, she wouldn't be able to change her mind about him.
Sure, Killian was a brute of a man with no personal boundaries or filters. He said what he wanted and took what he wanted. Leah hadn't expected to be so intrigued by this trait. Yet, no matter what she did, her thoughts drifted back to him.
Running her fingers through her hair, Leah stepped outside, hoping some fresh air would clear her thoughts. But the moment the cool air circled her, Leah's heart skipped. The gentle hints of wildflowers swirled about her, pulling her mind back to the tree line and his lips.
The snap of a twig jolted Leah. She whipped her head about to find she had wandered into the garden, and standing beyond the thin layer of glass was Killian.
His gaze bore into her, causing heat to flood through her body.
To her dismay, Killian arched an eyebrow as he pulled the curtain shut, blocking him from her view.
"Well I never," Leah huffed at the stark jab of rejection. She stepped back as if Killian's action had nudged her off balance.
What am I doin'? I cannae care how he sees me. If I'm goin' to pull this off and ever get out of here, I need to do better. I cannae be wanderin' about like a silly infatuated child.
Aye. Leah rolled her shoulders back, sneering at the closed curtains blocking the study.
The bargain has been struck. I cannae back out now. But does he nae ken he tortures me so?
Frustrated, Leah charged to her room. She didn't want to see anyone. Killian's blatant rejection sent a shock through her. A part of her expected this to happen. She could feel the uncertainty about the whole situation the moment she was kidnapped and brought before Killian as a gift.
Storming into her room, Leah slammed the door and dropped to the floor. She ran her fingers through her hair, trying to get a grip on her senses.
Why do I always find myself in these situations? First, I'm kidnapped, and then I make an utter fool of myself and with a different clan, nonetheless? What is wrong with me?
Through blurred vision, Leah noticed a box resting on the end of her bed. She rose slowly, wiping the tears from her cheeks as she walked over to the box. Curious, she stared at it, peeled back the lid, and found a folded note resting on the thin paper.
Leah -
I had hoped you'd wear this tonight for me.
Killian.
Leah grabbed the note and wanted to crumple it and toss it to the fire. But as her fingers creased the paper, she stopped herself from ruining it.
"Oh, ye're so infuriatin'," Leah huffed as she revealed a stunning dress of the finest fabric she'd ever laid eyes on. "What in the world?"
The dress was remarkable and nothing like anything she'd seen before. But it was the color that stunned her the most.
"Killian," Leah whispered his name into the fabric, her voice tainted with longing. She clung to the dress as if it were Killian. How she wanted to be in his strong embrace. The desires burning within her were torture. Yet, what could she do? It wasn’t as if she could invite herself into his chambers and get to know him.
She laid the dress out on the bed. Leah stared at it as her heart fluttered and swelled. Nibbling on the tip of her nail, she let her mind race. So many scenarios skipped and jumped in a flash, but each one held the same warning to her heart.
"Oh, this willnae end well."