Chapter 26
Leah stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the way her hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders.
Her heart raced, not just from the anticipation of the ceilidh but from the memories of her impulsive confession to Killian earlier that day.
Had she truly thrown herself at him or merely revealed a truth that had been simmering for too long?
She sighed, wiping her sweaty palms on her dress, feeling the weight of her decision bearing down on her.
Just as she was about to convince herself not to go to the ceilidh at all, a sharp knock on the door startled her. A jolt of hope raced through her veins.
Killian?
She rushed to the door as her heart pounded in her chest. As she grasped the handle of the door, her mind raced with possibilities.
The moment she opened the door, her heart sank into the abyss of her stomach.
Standing there, with a warm smile and a bouquet of vibrant wildflowers, was Mason.
His dark hair was tousled as if he'd just rolled out of bed, and a smile was plastered on his face.
Leah noticed a hint of color in his cheeks that hadn't been there the last time she saw him.
"Leah, ye look lovely as ever," he said, his voice warm and inviting, "I brought ye these. I wasnae sure which flowers ye liked the most. But after all ye've done for me, I wanted to say thank ye."
She took the flowers and drew them to her nose. Inhaling the sweet scent of heather and daisies lulled a smile from her.
"Mason, they're beautiful," she exclaimed, genuinely touched by his thoughtfulness. A pang of regret jabbed at her as she studied him a moment. "I dinnae expect to see ye here, or even out of yer bed. Are ye sure yer well enough for this?"
"Well enough for a ceilidh, I assure ye. If ye think I'm goin' to miss out on this occasion, ye'll be sorely mistaken," Mason said.
"Ye sound as if there's somethin' to look forward to," Leah answered as she traded the flowers for her smock and threw it over her shoulders.
"Have ye nae heard? Killian is to pick a bride this very night or the council will pick one for him." There was a glee to Mason's tone that was off-putting.
"I may have heard somethin' like that," Leah answered as she took Mason's arm and walked with him down the hallway.
"But me brother is nae the only one with news," Mason said as Leah noticed the flush to his cheeks. She swallowed hard as her suspicions grew.
"Ye dinnae ask me to the ceilidh just to irk yer brother, did ye?"
"And if I were to say I'd do anythin' to irk me brother?"
"Ye need to bury that hatchet. Yer animosity toward yer bother will do ye nay good. Ye must learn to let things go, Mason. Ye'll find yerself so much happier once ye do."
"And let him have the happy ever after? Ha, I daenae think so.
Tonight, I wanted ye by me side and I have ye.
We daenae have to have it mean anythin' more than that.
Besides, it's a chance to dance and mingle.
Do ye have any idea how borin' it's been in the infirmary without any news or companionship? " Mason batted his eyes at Leah.
"I'm sure it was quite the ordeal," Leah answered as she fought back the chuckle tickling her throat.
There was no denying Mason's infatuation for her, but as she walked beside him into the garden, it became clear their friendship was a ruse to irritate Killian.
Leah hated being in the middle of their feud, but there was no other place for her to be.
"Ye have nay idea," Mason continued. "But I promised I'd escort ye, dinnae I? And here we are."
"Ye did, I just—" Leah hesitated as she instinctively homed in on Killian's whereabouts. Her heart sank as she spied him with a lovely blond woman with a petite figure and emerald dress that made her shimmer like the jewel she was. Jealousy chomped at Leah as she drew her attention back to Mason.
"I thought ye might need more time to recover."
"Nonsense!" Mason waved a hand dismissively, a grin spreading across his face. "Ye look stunnin' in that dress, if ye dinnae ken it already. It would be a pity for ye nae to show it off. It's like the colors of the heather blooming on the hillside."
"Thank ye," she said, a blush creeping into her cheeks.
"I—I wasn't sure if I should even come tonight.
I thought…" Her voice trailed off as she took in the soft glow of the lanterns illuminating the garden.
The whole area was stunning and the perfect backdrop for Killian to find a wife.
It dawned on Leah that she would be the one he would be announcing as his wife.
But as she studied Killian with the blond-haired woman, she couldn't help but wonder if Killian might have changed his mind.
After all, the air was fragrant with blooming roses and thyme, and the party decorations were nothing short of stunning.
Ribbons danced in the gentle breeze, intertwined with wildflowers and greenery, creating a magical atmosphere that would cause any woman to swoon.
Leah's heart fluttered as she wondered if she'd ever have anyone do anything so extravagant for her.
"Killian," Mason muttered the name like a curse. He shook his head as he surveyed the scene. "He's gone overboard with this. It's like he's tryin' to impress the whole clan. As if they wouldnae see through his charade."
Leah forced a smile, though the tightness in her chest made it difficult. She was acutely aware of Mason's disdain for his brother, and the last thing she wanted was to deepen the rift between them.
"It's nae that bad," Leah interjected.
"Ye like this sort of thin'? Can ye nae see he's tryin' too hard?"
"Maybe that's a good thin'? Maybe Killian is tryin' to turn over a new leaf. After all, he is here to pick out a wife, is he nae? Surely, ye'd want yer brother to be happy with someone?"
"That would nae be a blessin' but a curse. I'd nae want anyone, maid or hag to be tied to Killian. He brings nothin' but death and destruction in his wake."
"But ye cannae deny the place feels festive," Leah encouraged.
"Festive, aye, but sincere?" Mason scoffed, crossing his arms. "That's a different story. Just wait until the clan starts drinkin' a bit more. That's when secrets start to slip and tongues wag. Stick around long enough, and ye'll hear what they really think of the laird."
Leah nodded, but her thoughts were elsewhere.
She couldn't shake the uneasy feeling brewing in the depths of her being.
The fact that Killian had plans to propose to her tonight was souring her stomach.
What would Mason think when he found out?
Would he support her? Or would he see it as another of Killian's ploys?
Leah's eyes shifted from the decorations to Killian. The moment their eyes met from across the garden, her breath hitched. It was as if he were the center of the universe, and everything revolved around him, including the young lasses all vying to be the next Lady MacMillan.
"Who is that?" Leah asked as she watched the blond-haired woman circling Killian as if he were prey.
"Alan's daughter, Abigale," Mason answered. "I wasnae expectin' to see her here."
"Do ye ken her then?" Leah asked, feeling like an outsider looking in. Her heart sank at the sight of Abigale as a wave of uncertainty crashed against her.
Has Killian found his bride? The thought sent a jolt of panic through her, and suddenly, her feelings for Killian felt like a tangled web she couldn't escape.
"Leah?" Mason's voice broke through her spiraling thoughts. "Are ye all right?"
"Uh, aye. I just… I'm a bit thirsty. Would ye like somethin' to drink?" The question tumbled out as she searched for an excuse to escape the situation. She needed some excuse to pry her eyes off Killian and the woman stealing him right from under her.
Mason raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in his eye. "I'm nae really in the mood for a drink. But what do ye say I introduce ye to Abigale? Surely the two of ye will have somethin' in common."
Leah's heart raced as Mason led her through the crowd, each step bringing them closer to Killian and Abigale. She felt like a tightrope walker teetering on the edge, her mind a whirlpool of confusion.
What if Killian changed his mind? Surely, he'd tell me, wouldnae he? He wouldnae just lead me on?
The thought sent a fresh wave of unease crashing over her.
She couldn't bear the idea of hearing him announce his engagement to someone else.
Although her engagement to Killian was supposed to be merely a ruse, her heart longed for him, her body craved his touch, and most of all, her soul ached to be entwined with his.
The moment she caught Killian's eye, the world around her faded, and all the noise of laughter and music dimmed to a distant hum.
The uneasiness brewing within her ceased, and she knew Killian was a man of his word.
He would be announcing her as his bride tonight; it would be her standing at his side.
A surge of pride and longing rammed her like a hammer to a nail.
She watched as Killian sidestepped around Abigale, his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that made her breath catch. In that moment, nothing else mattered. It was as if they were the only two souls in the garden.
"Leah, I was beginnin' to wonder if ye were goin' to show up at all," Killian said, his voice filled with warmth as he reached her. "I'm pleased to see ye made it and with Mason nonetheless. What are ye doin' here brother? I thought ye were to be in bed this evenin'."
"And miss yer big night? What sort of family would I be if I werenae here for one of the most monumental moments of yer life," Mason said with a smirk that caused a chill to race through Leah.
"Killian," she breathed as a smile broke through her tension. Her gaze drifted to Abigale.
"So, ye’re the new healer that's come to the castle. Me faither has told me about ye," Abigale said in a sing-song tone that rang like a warning to Leah's heart.
He turned to Abigale as he made room for Alan, and with a flourish, he introduced her. "Leah, this is Abigale, Alan's daughter."
"Tis a pleasure to meet ye," Leah answered, the words clogging her throat. In the corner of her eye, she noticed Alan twitching impatiently beside Mason.
"Abigale here, is poised to become the next Lady MacMillan," Alan cooed proudly. Killian stepped closer to Leah and shook his head.
"I'm afraid ye’re mistaken," Killian said as he took Leah's hand. The seriousness in his gaze rattled Leah, but she knew it was now or never. This was the moment she had promised to complete. Her future hung on this one moment.
"Me laird," Alan interjected as he tried to stop Killian from reaching Leah. But their fingers clasped, and there would be no turning back now.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Killian's voice rang through the crowd as Leah's heart pounded fiercely in her ears. "I've made a decision. Leah is to be me bride. I asked her last night, and she agreed."
Heat rushed through Leah as the crowd around them erupted into chaos. Some were thrilled for Killian, while others shouted their disdain and charged for the doors. Leah clasped Killian's hand tighter as she watched Abigale's smile twist into something sinister and vile.
"How could ye do this?"
It was Mason's exasperated question that caught Leah's ear. She turned to find him sucking in air faster than he could exhale it.
"Mason," she cried out, releasing Killian's hand. "Ye need to calm down. Ye're workin' yerself up into a frenzy."
"I've… done… nay such… thin'," Mason argued as his face grew paler.
"We need to get him back into the infirmary," Leah said as her arm curled around Mason's torso before he could collapse.
"I think I need to sit down," Mason mumbled. His voice was barely above a whisper, and despite being so close, Leah still couldn't hear him over the cheers and toasts. "I'm nae feelin' well."
"Aye, let us get ye back indoors," Leah said quickly, glancing at Killian, who nodded in understanding. "Come on, let's find a quiet spot."
Leah guided Mason away from the noise and commotion of the celebration and led him into a secluded corner of the garden. The noise was dampened by the oak trees and distance.
"How could ye? What did he do to ye?" Mason asked.
"Nothin'," Leah answered as guilt chipped away at her. "I dinnae want ye to find out that way. I thought Killian would tell ye in person."
Mason shook his head, a look of disbelief etched on his features. "Ye just daenae understand, do ye? Me brother, he's nae nice. He's a monster. But he's got ye enchanted somehow, and ye just daenae see it, do ye?" he said, his voice sharp with disappointment.
"What do ye mean?" she asked, feeling a knot tighten in her stomach.
He pulled a flask from his coat pocket, his hands trembling slightly as he looked defeated. "I've done nothin' but warn ye about that man. And now… ye're to marry him."
"Mason, I'm sorry, truly," Leah confessed as she dropped her head. "I never meant to hurt ye."
"I'm afraid ye're the one who will end up hurt in the end," Mason said as his voice was laced with defeat. "Are ye sure there is nothin' I can do to talk ye out of it? Say it was a mistake and that he tricked ye or somethin'?"
"It was nay trick. Yer brother has gotten under me skin and I care for him, just as I do for ye," Leah said as she watched Mason pull a flask from his vest pocket.
"Then I guess there is just one thin' I can do," he said, hoisting the small container to the sky. "A toast to yer happiness. May the good Lord protect ye from all evil."
He took a swig before offering the container to Leah. She hesitated a moment before grabbing the flask. "Mason, I really am sorry."
He met her gaze, and for a moment, the warmth of their shared history flickered between them like a candle in the dark.
"Aye, me too," he mumbled, his voice thick with emotion. "I just thought… I thought ye deserved better than this."