Chapter Ten #2
Bonny looked unconcerned. “She just doesn’t want to live in a house and never go anywhere. Uncle Conan is never going to live in one place and is going to travel all the time. He could make her happy, but she won’t believe it unless we can finish her list.”
Maegan realized she was nodding her head and immediately stopped. She could not believe she was being sucked into their logic.
“And that’s why we need your help. All we have left is hero, and we can’t prove Uncle Conan is one without you.”
Maegan rose to her feet and wagged her finger. “But it’s not me you really want. You think I can get Seamus to agree, but he won’t. It will be a waste of time even asking. I can promise you there is no way he would agree to any part of your plan.”
Brenna would not be daunted. “He would if you asked him.”
Maegan pursed her lips together. She believed Brenna was wrong, but part of her wondered if she really did have that kind of power over Seamus.
Since she could remember, she had loved Clyde.
And she still did. But lately, it had been very hard to keep from also falling for Seamus.
The man was kind, handsome, funny, and most importantly, here.
And something deep inside her knew that he would always be there for her.
Whereas Clyde had proven that he would not.
She refused to let Clyde go, yet she did not want to even entertain the notion of seeing Seamus woo another woman.
Even if it was all part of Brenna’s crazy plan.
“Maybe, but I’m not going to put him in a position of saying no.” Even though that was what she would want to hear, he might say yes if only to keep from disappointing her. It was truly a no-win situation for both her and him.
Brenna’s expression hardened, and her normally clear gray eyes turned into dark storm clouds as frustration sank in.
She had to find something to convince Maegan to help Mhàiri, and as that thought entered her mind, another did as well.
Something she remembered her mama telling her friend Aileen.
The easiest way to persuade someone to do something was to show them why it was in their best interest.
Brenna began to pace, thinking of all the things Maegan wanted that were in her power to give or make happen. Problem was she was only ten years old. She had no power . . . only information.
Brenna stopped in front of Maegan and looked her dead in the eye. “What if I promised not to listen to you again while Mhàiri and Conan are still here?”
Maegan opened her mouth to dismiss the bribe, but then closed it again when she was struck with the possibilities. This potential compromise had enormous merit. “Promise me forever.”
Brenna’s eyes got huge. “Forever?” she wailed softly in pain. “That’s a very long time.”
Maegan nodded. “It’s forever. As in never again.
” Just the sound of it was making Maegan excited.
Privacy. She had not realized until tonight how little of it she had if Brenna had a mind to spy on her.
She suddenly wanted this deal quite badly.
“If I ask Seamus to help, you promise to not spy on me for the rest of your life, even if he refuses.”
Brenna’s shoulders slumped even more. “But you have to really try and convince him.”
Maegan smiled an evil smile. “I think I could if you are willing to make the same promise to him. If Seamus agrees to do his part in your little plan, you have to promise never to eavesdrop on him either.”
Brenna threw her head back as if she was struck. “That’s not fair. After Mhàiri and Conan leave, you and Seamus will be the only interesting people around here.”
Maegan licked her lips, worried that her harsh stipulations might be too onerous for someone who thrived on listening to gossip.
But the idea of Brenna never eavesdropping on her again was a prize she desperately wanted.
“If you find yourself too bored, you could always ask to visit your uncle Cole. Fàire Creachann is a huge castle, and you know a lot of people there—Jaime, Donald, Brighid, and your aunt Ellenor. Just imagine what fun you could have visiting them.”
Maegan felt a twinge of remorse because she had no doubt that because of her suggestion, Brenna would somehow find her way north to her uncle’s home for an extended visit.
Brenna’s head snapped back up as if the weight of the world was no longer on her shoulders. Her gray eyes were twinkling, and Maegan’s guilt melted away when she heard two words.
“I agree.”
* * *
“You want me to do what?” Seamus sneered in disbelief. “You must be mad.” He blinked and shook his head as the dozens of reasons why her suggestion was inconceivable ran through his mind.
Maegan waved her hands back and forth in denial. “I don’t want you to do anything. Brenna and Bonny do.”
“But you must want me to agree to be asking.”
“That’s not true,” Maegan strongly denied and reached out to clutch his forearm so he could feel the truth.
“I think their plan is as outrageous as you do. I refused to get involved, but then Brenna promised me that she would never eavesdrop on me again.” Her sky-blue eyes were large with delight at the concept.
“How could I refuse just for asking you a question?”
“That I can understand, but there is no way I am going to seek out Mhàiri and pretend to be interested in her during the festivities in order to make Conan jealous.”
Maegan winced. “It’s a little more than that. You have to try and kiss her. Brenna has some notion that if Conan witnessed this, that he would step in and become the ‘hero’ they believe Mhàiri wants.”
Seamus stood frozen with his arms crossed, unblinking, for several long seconds at Maegan. “You cannot be serious.”
Maegan bit her bottom lip. “They believe Mhàiri loves him but will only admit it once they prove Conan is honest, kind, honorable, and a hero. They say they’ve done the first three, and all they need now is to show that he is indeed a hero. Hence, Mhàiri needs to be ‘saved’ from your advances.”
Seamus tilted his head upward and studied the ceiling rafters of the lower hall.
It was the one place Conor had made sure there were no secret passageways, hidden rooms, or obscure places for Brenna to hide in.
This was where he held his meetings with his commanders and other lairds when they were visiting and the discussion was serious.
He had not barred the hidden spots in the Star Tower.
It was rare, but if a fire broke out and the stairwell was blocked—or if, God forbid, the castle was attacked and somehow invaded—Conor wanted a way to get his family out of the tower, from any room, to safety.
“I doubt they’ve proven he’s kind,” Seamus mumbled. “And as far as jealousy? I don’t think Conan is capable of the emotion.”
“Simply because someone has not been jealous over someone before does not mean he wouldn’t be.”
Seamus looked back down. “Are you talking about you or Conan?” A piece of him hoped Maegan would admit that she would not like seeing him seek the attentions of another woman.
Maegan lifted her chin. “Conan of course.” She may not think Brenna’s idea would work, but she did believe Conan felt something a lot more than friendship for Mhàiri based on his reactions both during and after their fights. “Why would I be jealous when I know it is all a ruse?”
Seamus lifted a single brow. “You really think Conan is going to stop me from kissing Mhàiri when he didn’t with Loman.”
Maegan took a step back and threw up her hands. “What do we care if it works? Brenna’s promise is not based on success. We simply need to try. The only reason I am doing this is for privacy. I would think you might want that too.”
Seamus looked back down and studied Maegan as if he was trying to discern whether he should read more meaning into her last comment.
Agreeing would mean they would both have privacy.
Something he would definitely want and be willing to do almost anything to get, with Brenna seemingly everywhere.
But only if Maegan was seriously considering letting go of the possibility of Clyde ever returning.
“And why would I want privacy, Maegan? Right now, I’m not doing anything Brenna would care to listen to, so are you saying that might change?”
“I don’t know,” she answered honestly. “But all this talk about Mhàiri and Conan deserving to be happy is making me think that I deserve that too.”
Seamus took a step forward and leaned down until his face neared hers. “Assuming that’s true, I’ll do it. But when this is all over, be prepared, Maegan.”
Maegan stared into his eyes and swallowed. She did not need to ask what he meant.
She knew.