Chapter 22
"Icannae believe it," Elsie said over her shoulder as Leah trailed behind her, gathering herbs. The morning sun lingered on the horizon, flooding the garden with a new light that made Leah feel anything was possible.
"The ceilidh is tomorrow. Do ye ken that?
Tomorrow. I cannae believe he is still goin' on with it when everyone kens ye two are made for each other," Elsie continued ranting.
"Here I thought when he requested ye to give the reports to him, I thought to meself, self, that lass will be Lady MacMillan. "
"Oh, I daenae think so," Leah said, tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. "While I find the laird amusin', there is nay way I'd ever give him me heart."
"Wise decision. Poor fool wouldnae ken what to do with ye. There are men and then there are men, ye ken what I'm sayin' here? Do ye want someone ye'll be carryin' around in life, or do ye want some to walk with ye, and face whatever comes side by side? See, there's a difference."
"Aye," Leah said as her thoughts drifted to Killian. She'd grown fond of him, more than she knew she should have. But now that the moment was on her to announce her engagement, Leah wasn't sure she would be able to go through with it.
"Are ye even listenin' to me?" Elsie asked as she planted her hand on her hip and glared at Leah.
"Nay," she answered in full candor.
"What am I goin' to do with ye? Now listen up, I heard the councilmen will be introducin' their nieces and daughters to Killian to spark his interest. If ye even stand a chance against them, remind Killian why he likes ye above all others."
"That's easier said than done. Have ye seen some of the lasses in the village?
They are well-curved and look like they could squeeze out a whole clan," Leah said, a bit flustered by the thought of having to raise so many children.
One or two would be ideal, but to have a herd, it made her queasy just thinking about it.
Elsie laughed so hard she lost half the herbs she had collected in her basket. Leah couldn't help but join in as the birds took to the skies to flee from such a clamor.
"Have ye met Stella yet? Poor lass came in just last month with her uncle. Folks say she's so ugly that her uncle is keeping her indoors until he kens Killian is good and drunk before introducin' her."
"That's horrid," Leah said, shocked at the audacity of some people. She shook her head as she snapped a few sprigs of rosemary and put them in her basket.
"Aye, that it is, but what can ye do about it? Nothin' really. If we go to the councilmen's house and ask for her, nay doubt he'll deny she's there. But just ye wait and see how many lasses come crawlin' out of the wood work for this event. Tis goin' to be the biggest thin' to happen all year."
"It cannae be that important," Leah said, trying to play down the significance of the ceilidh.
In the back of her mind, she'd always considered the engagement just a playful act, a ruse that harmed no one.
But as she listened to Elsie lay down the importance of Killian finding a wife, well, it took all of Leah's strength not to blabber the plan right then and there.
"Tis a very important event," Elsie said. "Our future is restin' on this moment. If Killian chooses the wrong mate, the whole clan could suffer for it.."
"And what sort of lass do ye want to see Killian with?" Leah asked as she moved around Elsie to reach for some of the thyme.
"Ye, of course," Elsie said. "I've been waitin' for the moment when he sees ye for who ye really are instead of the healer. When that day comes, I'd want to be right there as a witness to it."
A smile tugged at the corner of Leah's lips as she wondered how Killian would make the announcement. Would he be hushed about it? Or would it be something so over the top that there would be no doubt in her mind it was to add to their ruse? The thought intrigued her.
"Are ye sure ye want to be makin' that bet? Because I'm tellin' ye right now, there is nothin' goin' on with me and Killian. He barely kens that I exist."
Leah's words stung like thistles in her mouth as her thoughts shifted to Killian.
How he had shifted since they had come back from the village.
He wasn't as lenient with his time, and any time she did manage to sneak in with him, he'd cut it short.
It was almost as if he was deliberately avoiding her.
But why, she didn't know. Nor did she know if she wanted the answer.
Her heart felt heavy with trouble as she tried to focus on the swaying heather and sparrows.
"Ye ken very well that man has his eye on ye. Ever since ye came to the castle, he's been keen to have ye around," Elsie said as a long cry drifted on the breeze, catching Leah's ear. She turned her head and lifted a hand to shield the blinding light of the morning sun.
Racing from the side door of the castle, Leah spotted a messenger coming for them. She glanced at Elsie, expecting her to have answers as to what was going on. Yet, Elsie looked just as puzzled as Leah.
"That looks like Mason's messenger," Elsie said as the man drew closer. Leah waved to the man who came swiftly to them.
"Miss Leah, Master Mason is requestin' yer presence inside," the servant said. Leah couldn't help but feel a jolt of dread crash into her.
"What has happened?" Leah asked in unison with Elsie.
"Nothin', in fact I think ye'll find him in high spirits today," the servant said with a spark to his eye that made Leah cautious.
"It must be lovely havin' the brothers eatin' out of the palm of yer hands," Elsie teased as she tried to hide the grin that seemed to stretch across her lips uncontrollably.
"Give it a rest already," Leah called over her shoulder as she followed the servant back to the castle.
Leah's heart fluttered wildly with anticipation.
She wracked her brain, trying to figure out why Mason would summon her, yet nothing came to mind, no matter how hard she pressed.
As they passed servants, Leah couldn't shake the feeling that something earth-shattering was about to happen, and she couldn't stop it.
"Here we are," the servant said as he pulled open the door. Leah's eyes widened as she stepped into the dimly lit room. Despite the brilliant morning light radiating outside, the room looked deliberately darkened and dreary.
"Is there someone in here?" Leah asked, trying to mask the intimidation brewing within. She peered into the dark, blinking until her eyes adjusted to the light. In the center of the room, Leah spotted the round table and a figure sitting and waiting.
"Leah? Aye, do come in." Mason's voice rang through, giving Leah a bit more courage to go deeper. She swallowed hard as she drew closer. Mason's wide, friendly smile greeted her as the servant threw open the curtain, letting the light pour into the room.
Leah let out an audible gasp. The room was far more lovely than she was expecting. Garlands of flowers and ferns decorated the ceiling and doorway.
"Oh, Mason, this is lovely," she cooed as she turned to find him sitting straight in his seat instead of the bed she'd been so familiar seeing him in.
"I was hopin' ye'd like it," he said as he motioned for the empty chair. "Please, join me."
"This is a very pleasant surprise. I must say, I was nae expectin' to see ye out of —"
"Bed," Mason finished for Leah, a bit overly zealous. "Aye, well, ye gave me inspiration to rise to the occasion. After all, what sort of escort would I be if I couldnae get ye through the door?"
"Escort?" Leah asked as she watched him carefully pour the tea. "Surely ye’re nae talkin' about the ceilidh. I thought ye wanted me to spend time with ye in the infirmary?"
"Well, I figured that wouldnae be too much fun," Mason said as he took a sip from his tea. "Besides, me brother will be engaged before dinner."
"Is that right? And how do ye ken this?" Leah asked as she found her heart fluttering out of control. She didn't know if she would be thrilled to know Killian's plan or if she wanted it to be a surprise.
"Alan," Mason answered. "He's all but signed the paperwork. Killian is to be married to the daughter of Laird of Eisner."
The news was like an arrow to her heart.
Suddenly, everything made sense. Why Killian had been so cold to her since they came back from the village.
It wasn't that he didn't want her; it was the fact he'd made a plan B without telling her.
Leah wasn't sure if she should be relieved to be off the hook for marriage or outraged after how much time and energy she had put into Killian only to have him shun her.
"Leah? Oh dear, is the tea too hot? I thought I had cooled it," Mason said as Leah found herself gagging on the water as Killian's news seeped through her.
"I think it was the leaves," Leah choked out as she looked into her cup to find a layer of herbs floating on the surface. Mollified, Mason snapped his fingers and barked orders to clear the dish from Leah.
"Me word, I am so sorry," Mason said, his voice pitched with worry.
"It's fine," Leah said, hoping to calm Mason down a bit. "It's nae the first time, and I'm sure when I get older, it willnae be the last."
"Here I was tryin' to make the moment special, and I've gone and blown it sky high," Mason grumbled as he leaned back in his chair, defeated.
"What were ye tryin' to do?" Leah asked as she did a double take around the room. It became clear that the over-the-top decorations and fancy tea were an attempt to impress. Unfortunately for Mason, he didn't inherit his brother's charisma.
"It doesnae matter," Mason said, waving his hand as he sat straighter. "Must nae dwell on mistakes. One must learn and move forward."
"Mason, what is really goin' on here?" Leah asked as she shifted in her seat. There was an uneasiness brewing within her she couldn't explain. "What ye've done is truly lovely, it is. But why do I get the feelin' there is somethin' more goin' on here?"
Leah steadied herself. No matter what Mason was about to confess, she'd take it and then clear the air. The last thing she wanted to do was cause problems between Killian and Mason or drive a wedge further between them.
"Well, I had asked ye before to accompany me to the ceilidh, and I wasnae too pleased with how I went about doin' it. I should have been more thoughtful, I just daenae like seein’ ye with my brother. It’s nae jealousy, its safety.
Ye just deanae ken my braither as well as ye think ye do.
And I donnae want to see ye get hurt. He can be quite brutal at times. ”
"Mason," Leah paused. She didn't know exactly what she was going to say. It wasn't like she could tell him the truth about what was going on. How would she even begin? She pulled in a long, deep breath as she tried to sort through what to say. "I think ye’re a very nice young man."
"Oh, daenae give me that," Mason said, throwing his hands up. "Ye think I havenae heard those very words come from others before ye? I'm nae some frail thin' ye have to worry about breakin'. Can ye nae see? I'm already broken, and there's nay fixin' me."
"Mason, ye daenae ken that," Leah said as her heart went to him. She could feel his pain. Surely, being in the shadow of Killian was difficult, and more so, knowing what Killian had done. How could anyone live up to those sorts of standards?
"Daenae I though? I see how ye look at me. And then I see how ye look at him. I may be the one in the infirmary, but it’s my brother ye’ve set to heal.
But I fear I must warn ye, Any woman who marries him will be accursed.
There is nay future with me brother. Mason said with such conviction that it rattled Leah to her core.
"I think I should go," Leah said as she rose to her feet. "Mason, tea was lovely, but I daenae think it would be wise for me to tend to ye any further."
"Wait, nay, I dinnae mean to scare ye," Mason said, his tone tainted with a plea that broke Leah's heart. "Please, daenae go. I'll nae talk about me brother. We can talk about anythin' ye want, just please daenae go."
"I cannae…" Leah answered as she shook her head. "I'm sorry, Mason, truly. But I cannae stay and listen to ye any further. Ye’re far too worked up for me right now, and I’m strugglin’ to make any sense at all of what ye’re sayin’ other than ye despise yer brother.”
"Leah, please," Mason said as she started for the door.
"Ye think ye ken him but ye daenae have a clue.
Killian will be the end of ye. Ye cannae trust him.
Nay matter how sweet the honey that drips from his lips.
If there is one thin' ye take from me, take this warnin' and steer clear of me brother. "