Chapter 24
Leah wandered through the garden, enjoying the peaceful afternoon. She glanced around to find several servants busying themselves with last-minute preparations. Leah couldn't wait to see the garden and terrace all lit up with paper lanterns stringed from the trees to the trellis.
"What are ye? A half-wit? What do ye think ye’re doin'? Ye cannae put the chairs there, they have to go in the sitting room. We've nae enough chairs for two tables of cards, and ye ken how the laird likes to play his card games."
Leah's eyes sparked as the servant's voices drifted to her ear.
A smile played on her lips as she thought of sitting down and playing against Killian.
She couldn't help but blush at the thought of Killian losing everything off his back.
It was a thought that rippled through Leah like thunder through the moors.
"Leah, fancy seein' ye here."
Pushing the fantasy to the back of her mind, Leah turned to find Mason sitting under the shade of the oak tree. She couldn't help but smile, seeing the improvement he had made since she arrived. It was like night and day.
"Mason, I wasnae expectin' to find ye out here," Leah said as she glanced around, wishing she could eavesdrop on the servants instead.
"Aye, well, thanks to yer tea, me health has greatly improved," he said as Leah noticed the hesitancy in his eyes.
"I'm just glad I could be of service to ye," Leah said.
"Aye," Mason cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Leah could tell something was lingering on the tip of his tongue that he couldn't quite get off it. She didn't know whether she enjoyed watching him squirm or found the sight pitiful.
"Miss Leah, I believe I owe ye an apology. I may have said things that I dinnae mean," Mason said as he nervously tucked his bangs behind his ears.
"Mason, ye need nae say anythin' more," Leah said as she flashed him a friendly smile.
"But I do," he insisted. "Ye see, I think there may have been a misunderstandin’.”
“I daenae believe there was,” Leah interjected before Mason could say anything more. He swallowed hard as he clearly ignored her comment and continued.
“I wanted to apologize if I offended ye. That wasnae my intentions.”
Leah relaxed her shoulders as she let out a heavy sigh. "Thank ye, Mason. I appreciate that."
"Doesnae mean that I think ye should be cordial with me brother," he interjected.
"Aye," Leah answered with a polite grin. "I ken."
"With that said, would ye care to join me for dinner tonight?" Mason asked as he bowed his head. Leah paused and glanced about the area, looking for some escape without being rude. She hated being put on the spot, and they both knew she had no reason to deny him.
"Aye," Leah submitted with a less eager smile.
She glanced over Mason's shoulder to the bay window of Killian's study.
Her heart skipped the second her eyes fell on Killian's face.
How long had it been since she had seen him?
Or spent any time with him? It seemed as if he had blocked her out for an eternity, and she didn't understand why.
She wished she could just march right into his study and demand his attention, but what good would that do?
Everyone would be a witness to her rejection.
"I believe I should get some sleep before dinner is called," Mason said as he rose slowly to his feet. Leah couldn't help but be impressed with how well Mason was doing. It was as if his body was just as eager to heal as he was ready to charge.
"Mason, if I ask ye a question, will ye promise me ye willnae get mad," Leah said as she tried to pry her eyes off Killian but found it impossible.
"Nae with a loaded question like that," he answered as Leah helped him to the door.
"Ye’re right, it was foolish to even think it," Leah said as she opened the door for Mason.
"Well, now this will haunt me all night. What is it ye want to ken?"
"If ye were the laird, would ye have a ceilidh to find a wife?" Leah asked as she studied Mason's face.
"Nay," he answered as he brushed his fingers over her cheeks. "I wouldnae need one, nae if ye were at me side."
"Mason, is that really ye out here?"
Leah let out a sigh of relief. Never had she been so happy and relieved to see Alan than she was in that moment. She flashed Mason the most pitiful smile she could muster.
"Aye," Mason answered a bit begrudgingly.
"What on earth are ye doin' out here? How is this possible? Is this some sort of miracle?" Alan asked, completely stunned by Mason's health.
"As ye can see, I'm doin' much better thanks to Leah here," Mason said, his smile genuine and sweet.
"She is a godsend, is she nae?" Alan said as he took Leah's hand to shake it vigorously. "What would we do without her?"
"I daenae ken," Mason answered. Leah glanced to the bay window behind Alan, hoping to catch another glimpse of Killian. But the window was dark and deserted.
"What was that? Did I hear the bell for dinner?" Alan asked as he tilted an ear to the castle.
"Aye," Mason answered as Leah glanced through the door to the hallway. The servants were making themselves busy.
"What do ye say?" Alan asked as he nudged Mason. "Care to join us for a meal?"
Leah's eyes widened. She hadn't expected to eat with Mason, but since she couldn't find any excuse to use, she agreed.
Leah sat at the dinner table, trying to make small talk with Mason and Alan, but her mind was constantly wandering elsewhere. Of course, she'd much rather be sitting beside Killian. She didn't care if they discussed the plans for the ceilidh or talked about books as long as she had his time.
Instead, she was stuck, pretending to be interested in the conversation to which she wasn't paying attention. It was bad enough that she was sitting next to Alan, who tended to spit when he talked.
As the meal drew to a close, Leah excused herself and was eager to go to her room.
The day just seemed to be a disaster no matter which way she looked at it, and she was pleased it was finally over.
But she couldn't help but feel a bit of disappointment.
She felt like she was stuck in a never-ending cycle of pretending to be someone she wasn't. All she wanted was to have the freedom to be herself, to let her true feelings shine through.
As she entered her room, she let her shoulders relax. She moved to the fireplace and plopped down in the seat next to it. Playing with the tip of her braid, she stared deep into the flames. The sound of heavy steps caught her ear. For just a moment, Leah's heart fluttered wildly against her ribs.
Killian? Nay, he wouldnae come here, nae when he's been avoidin' me.
Holding her breath, Leah watched the shadow under the door. Slowly, she rose to her feet and moved to the door. With a trembling hand, Leah reached for the doorknob. She pried open the door, hoping to catch Killian by her door. To her surprise, she found a large box placed at her threshold.
Confused, Leah snatched the box and closed the door behind her. Chewing on her lower lip, Leah brought it over to the bed and proceeded to rip through the ribbon. Her eyes widened as she peeled the thin paper from the fabric.
"Oh my," Leah gasped as she drew the long, elegant blue dress from the box. She had never seen such a dress before. The fabric was smooth against her face. Under the fabric, Leah noticed a white bit of parchment. With a trembling hand, she plucked the parchment from the box and turned it over.
"Dearest Leah, I wish for ye to wear this tomorrow for the ceilidh. I believe the color will match your eyes perfectly. Until then, - K."
Leah's eyes narrowed as she read the note.
How could he know what her eyes looked like when he had been so cold and distant from her?
Surely, he would have forgotten the same way she had forgotten what his looked like.
A devilish idea popped into her mind, and she quickly slipped out of her old dreary dress into the new, elegant one, determined to get Killian's attention, one way or another.
As she slipped the dress over her head, she felt a sense of excitement and nervousness. She had never worn anything so beautiful, and she couldn't help but feel like a princess. She took a deep breath, smoothing out the fabric, and made her way to the study.
When she entered the room, she was taken aback by the sight of Killian. He was standing by the window, his eyes fixed on her, and for a moment, she forgot to breathe. The dress seemed to glow in the dim light of the room, and she felt like she was radiating an otherworldly beauty.
Killian's eyes widened in surprise before he quickly regained his senses. "I see ye found the box, good. But I thought I said to wear it tomorrow."
"Do I nae look pretty?" Leah asked as she ran her hands over the fabric.
"Aye, if that is what ye want to hear, then aye ye look... lovely," he said, his voice gruff. Flustered by his lack of interest, Leah sauntered over to him and stretched out over his desk.
"Tell me truly, does the dress match me eyes?" she teased, her voice husky with want. How could he just sit there and not care that she was throwing herself at him? The fact that he could infuriate her only riled her up even more.
"I would nae have said it did if I wasnae absolutely sure it would," Killian answered as he kept his attention on his book.
Leah's eyes locked onto his, and she smiled slyly. "And if I wear it, I may have to turn down your proposal," she said, her voice dripping with seduction.
Killian's grip on her arm tightened, and he pulled her close. "I daenae have time for any of your games, Leah," he growled.
Leah's heart skipped a beat as she felt his breath on her skin. "Who's playing a game?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Killian's eyes burned with intensity, and he leaned in close. "You are," he whispered, his lips inches from hers.
Leah's yearning for him was palpable. How easy it was to melt into his embrace. She studied Killian, watching him war with the same desires that stirred within her. Unwilling to let the moment pass, Leah rose to the tips of her toes and crushed her lips to his.
A low groan of pleasure rumbled from deep within Killian as she pressed her body against his, trying to consume all that she could. Leah needed his lips. The fact that he was so close, she couldn’t just let him walk on by, not when her body craved him as much as it did.
There was a hunger to Killian’s kiss that Leah couldn’t deny, for she had the same hunger gnawing at her. She curled her fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck and pulled him into her.
“Leah.”
Her name on his lips made her body tingle even more. She wanted to hook her leg around him and never let him go. But before she could surrender to her desires, Killian pulled back, his eyes flashing with warning.
"Go," he said, his voice firm. He dropped his shoulders in defeat as he flexed his jaw.
“Killian?”
“Nay,” he mumbled, his yearning called to her. "Ye must go.”
“Why?” she asked, trying to catch his eye. He focused on her for a moment, but that moment was enough. The prick of rejection stung.
“Please,” Killian said, his voice dripping with anguish. “Before I do something I’ll regret later.”
Leah's eyes searched his, trying to understand what was going on. She tried to tempt him, to make him stay, but he shook his head, his eyes cold and distant.
As she turned to leave, Leah realized why Killian had been so cold towards her.
Their relationship was supposed to be a ruse, a way to keep her safe while he protected the clan.
And it had become more to her, but clearly, not to him.
Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she left the study, the dress still clinging to her skin, a reminder of the passion that had almost been hers.
She made her way back to her room, her heart heavy with sadness.
She felt like she had been played, like she had been used as a pawn in Killian's game of power and control.
She didn't know what the future held, but she knew she couldn't stay here, pretending to be someone she wasn't. She had to find a way to break free, to be herself, and to find her own happiness.