Chapter 19
Willow was going to be the death of Keegan. He was quite sure of it. And worse, the laird felt as if he had to maneuver around his own castle so that he might conduct business with his sister and brother without her screaming at him about the change in plans.
But he could not allow her to return to Magnus. Her brother didn’t want Willow there, and knowing the man like he did, Keegan feared that he would be none too kind to Willow if she showed up on his doorstep.
From the hallway outside his bed chambers, Keegan spotted a servant and got the lass’s attention.
“Aye, me laird?”
She curtsied sweetly, her brows raising in expectation of his reply.
“Make certain that Rodrick escorts Lady Willow to her chambers for the evenin'. I need to meet with Melissa and Damon as well, so when it is done let me know at once.”
Lowering herself again, the young woman nodded. “Of course, me laird. I shall see to it at once.”
The lass was off, and it wasn’t long before she returned to his room and knocked, letting him know that the job was done. Keegan stood up from the chair he’d used in his bed chamber’s small table, saying, “Thank ye. That is all.”
As he walked down the corridors to the Great Hall, Keegan was intent on speaking with Melissa and determining her state of health. She’d been away for too long, and his sister had always been one to downplay her ailments.
Damon and Melissa sat together at the head table when he entered the room, and Keegan proceeded directly for them.
“Och, there ye are,” Melissa drawled. “Ye dinnae need to have Rodrick hurry the lass off to her room, ye ken. We were speakin' quite comfortably.”
Keegan would not dignify that with a comment. “How are ye farin', Sister? I see ye have eaten, but has the healer checked ye over?”
Melissa rolled her eyes. “Ye are as bad as Damon. I am well. It isnae as if I’m a bairn, for God’s sake.”
Frowning, Keegan circled the table and sat down next to Melissa on the opposite side as Damon. His brother glanced at him from across the separation, and the grim expression he wore told Keegan that Damon had something lingering on his tongue.
“Out with it, Damon.”
He nodded as if he was all too glad to open up and had only waited so that he could stand on the protection of being ordered to speak by the laird. It was a common trick he used to soften Melissa’s ire.
“It appears that during our sister’s time with Magnus, she saw fit to take the punishment for Lady Lilith.”
Keegan’s stomach clenched as his hands immediately balled into fists. “What?”
“Damon!” Melissa swatted at him, the frustration and annoyance so apparent on her face that you would be able to see it from well across the room. “Och, can ye keep yer trap shut for even a few moments!”
“Sister,” Keegan’s voice had dropped particularly low as the renewed rage coursed through his blood, “ye will explain. Now.”
Clearly exasperated by the caution and protection being thrust her way, Melissa shook her head as her eyes found the table before closing. She exhaled long, taking her napkin and dabbing at her mouth. Even after, Melissa still didn’t speak, taking a sip of her wine instead.
“Melissa,” Keegan demanded.
“Daenae try to intimidate me into hastenin' me speech, Brother. It hasnae worked in the past, and it willnae work now.”
As much as he should be furious at her, Keegan took comfort in the fact that Melissa was clearly her proud, fiery self even after everything that had happened.
If the lass had returned stoic and overly quiet, he would know that the pain she suffered was so great that it dampened her very nature—a truly heartbreaking thought.
Keegan waited another moment until Melissa had taken a hearty drink from her glass.
“Would ye be inclined to provide an explanation now, Melissa?”
She sighed, nodding once. “Aye. And I will begin by tellin' ye that Lilith has become a dear friend of mine, so daenae be looking to cast blame on her.”
Tension flickered in Keegan’s neck, and he could feel his pulse in his temples. “Verra well.”
“Magnus was cruel, as much as expected when I was taken. Still, I was not harmed over much because Lilith saw fit to sneak me scraps of food and offer kind company. Once, however, the additional portions were discovered. I ken that the laird wouldnae have me dead. I was still necessary for his plan, but I couldnae say the same about Lilith.”
Understanding flared through him, and Keegan could see the empathetic light behind Melissa’s unwavering stare.
“Ye wished to protect her from the man.”
She nodded once more. “Aye. I informed the laird that I had stolen the scraps from the kitchen when I had been walked outside to relieve meself—an act I had to fight for several times and had only been granted because Lilith helped me. Magnus was furious, of course, and I took his beatin'.”
The muscles in Keegan’s jaw worked as he fought against the urge to holler out about the bastard. He’d heeded Melissa’s unspoken desire to keep this conversation civil, however, and it took several breaths before he was able to speak without screaming.
“We will see to his punishment for harmin' ye, Melissa.” He leveled his stare at her. “Still, ye must go to the healer and have him look ye over. I willnae see ye taken with fever because I allowed ye to be reckless.”
Melissa regarded Keegan for a moment, then turned to glance at Damon, who offered a nod in support of the laird’s words.
“Aye, I will go. But ye must allow me to finish this wine. I have had nae a drop of liquid that wasnae stale ale or boiled potato water.”
He couldn’t help but chuckle lightly at that, Damon too, and Keegan nodded with a tight grin. “Go on, Sister. Finish yer wine.”
The sound of footsteps approaching pulled Keegan’s attention to the aisle in front of their table, and he turned to see Rodrick walking toward him with purpose. He was tense all over again and knew immediately that it had to do with Willow.
“Aye, Rodrick. What is it?”
His man-at-arms bowed quickly and then met Keegan’s eyes with a humorously affected tilt of his head.
“Our guest is askin'—quite forcibly, I might add—to speak with ye, me laird.”
Keegan sighed, slumping into his chair for a moment. Of course, he knew this was coming, but it did not make him dread the situation any less.
“Fine, fine. I’ll get it over with.” Keegan stood up, addressing Damon after taking one more blissful sip of the ale that still remained on the table. “Be sure she gets to the healer, aye?”
Damon nodded subtly, narrowing his eyes. “Of course, Brother.”
“I must’ve turned into a ghost, for they daenae see me. Rodrick,” Melissa turned to him, exaggerating a plea, “ye must tell me, man, can ye see me?”
Rodrick snickered under his breath, trying and failing to keep back a grin. “Aye, me lady. I can see ye quite plainly.”
“Och, thank the Lord. I shouldnae have enjoyed being a specter, except, of course, for how I might have gotten out of these two fussin' over me like hens.”
Keegan glared playfully down at her, not saying a word. He shook his head and left the table to find Willow in her chambers. If he was going to be forced to entertain two spirited lasses, he would at least deal with the more difficult one first, as he shouldn’t be putting it off.
Having reached Willow’s door, Keegan rapped his knuckles on the sturdy wood, awaiting her answer. It took but a moment for him to hear the footsteps on the other side, and the lass opened up her chamber.
“Me laird,” she said flatly, holding open the door so that Keegan could step inside.
As he did, the laird nodded to the two guards at the end of the hallway, acknowledging their watch and silently encouraging them to stay prepared for any trickery.
Still, as Keegan stepped in and Willow shut the room up once more, he noticed that she seemed exceptionally calm—too calm. What are ye up to, lassie?
“Thank ye for coming,” Willow’s stare flicked between Keegan and the floor, the only sign that her nerves might be getting the better of her, “Laird Brahanne.”
Silence bloomed between them, and it was several moments before Willow cleared her throat, preparing herself to speak again. Keegan would give her all the time in the world. He wasn’t looking forward to this discussion, and he wasn’t about to be the one to break the quiet.
“I’ve a question that has been on me mind for some time.” Willow’s tone was level, but her words were clipped as if she were repeating a practiced speech to him. “Me brother doesnae wish for me return, does he?”
Keegan clenched his jaw, his stare falling to the ground for a moment. He’d dreaded this moment even though he knew it was coming. He couldn’t hide the truth from her much longer, but it stung something fierce that he would have to break the lass’s heart like that.
“He only—”
“Daenae lie to me.” Willow stood as stoic and firm as a statue. “Please.”
Swallowing, Keegan tilted his head toward her, conceding without words that he had been about to. After a moment where the laird pinched his eyes closed, he met Willow’s stare again and nodded.
“Yer brother told me that he wasnae interested in yer return as ye cannae be used in exchange for land from the MacMillans.”
It was gruff, but it was the truth. Keegan wouldn’t soften his words, either. Willow deserved to hear of the situation in earnest, no matter how grim it might have been.
“Ah, well, I cannae say that I am all that surprised by that. He wasnae shy with his desire to get something out of the marriage—or his lack of concern for me own happiness.”
Willow sighed, her gaze ducking toward the floor for a moment before it returned to Keegan.
“Is that all he said?” She didn’t move, still holding his stare, but Keegan could see a subtle sheen form over Willow’s eyes.
Goddamn it. Keegan shook his head.
“Nay. Magnus had informed me that the engagement was canceled…because the MacMillans believed yer reputation, yer…virtue, to be tarnished after having spent the days with…me.”