Page 12 of Kilted Seduction
It would be a difficult task, but at least she had made a start.
With a sigh, she turned to the nearest of the guards. “I ken I need tae return tae me rooms.”
Thora made her way into the castle with a slight smile. Planning wouldn’t get rid of the dull ache in her temples, but it would be better than sitting and waiting by far.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Ahot bath, food and fresh clothing made Aedan feel more like himself. It also gave him plenty of time to decide what he was going to tell the Council. They would, of course, be delighted that he’d changed his mind about attending the Yule festivities at Lachlan’s castle. However, they’d also want to know why he had changed his mind.
He couldn’t tell them he’d been kidnapped by a lass, much less a woman who believed she had the power to see the future. On the other hand, he had to tell them something, and he had to find an excuse for his decision to make the journey with a young woman he barely knew.
Not for the first time, he cursed the fact that he’d taken the vow Thora had asked of him. His agreement to do her no harm in word or deed meant he couldn’t simply tell the Council that she was troubled in the head. And while there were many men of his clan who would believe in a lass who was fey-touched, or blessed by gods or spirits, all of them knew that he had little faith in such things.
Before meeting with the council, he told Mac everything that had occurred in the privacy of his study. He had looked dubious but also more willing to accept the existence of Thora’s gift than Aedan had. They then headed together to the Council chamber. Mac studied Aedan’s face for a moment before they answered. “Have ye decided what ye plan tae tell them? Ye ken they’ll have questions.”
“Aye.” Aedan took a deep breath, straightened his spine, and strode into the chamber.
He did have a plan that might work, but it would be a delicate bit of persuasion, which had never been his strong suit. He preferred to lead with actions and well-considered, solid decisions.
“Me laird. What happened? There were rumors that ye disappeared…”
“I ken what rumors there were. I’ve heard plenty from the guards and the servants. There’s little truth tae them, however.” Aedan took his seat and folded his hands in front of him. “The fact o’ the matter is this - there’s been suspicious activity near our borders, particularly the one we share with Clan Ross. A village lass witnessed it and came tae tell me, though ‘tis possible the weather confused her vision, as she wasnae clear what she saw. Regardless, I went with her tae clarify matters, and I’ve decided on a plan o’ action.”
“And the plan is?” Gareth Mckinnon, one of the border wardens for another area of the clan territory spoke up. “What dae ye intend tae dae?”
“I will travel with the lass - she kens more o’ what she saw, and who, and ‘tis likely she can identify those who might be workin’ against us, even if her memory isnae clear at the moment.”
Aedan took another breath, more to stop himself from scowling than any other reason. “We will go tae Laird Ross’s Yule celebration. There will be a number o’ other lairds and their retainers there, enemies and allies both. ‘Tis hoped the lass can give me names, which we can use tae confront those who might be thinkin’ o’ attacking us. At the very least, we can warn our allies, if they are our enemies. And if, by chance, one o’ our allies is thinkin’ o’ treachery… then we will be forewarned.”
“Dae ye really think our allies would betray us?”
“I think every man’s an ally tae another, till he has reason nae tae be. I’d like tae think we’ve given nay reason for any laird tae raise his hand against us, but I dinnae ken what’s in the minds o’ other men. Better tae be tae cautious than tae careless, I’m thinking.”
He favored the assembled clansmen with a sharp smile that made more than one of them tense with wariness. “In any case, ye already wanted me tae attend the Yule celebration at Castle Ross tae strengthen alliances and the like. Now ye’ll have yer wish. I will however introduce the lass as me wife, or me betrothed at the very least.”
There were gasps and murmurs around the table. The laird continued. “I ken ye dinnae agree, but I am yer laird and I will dae anything I need tae, tae protect our clan, which is unfortunately already in dire straits.”
With that message delivered, he stood. “If ye’ll excuse me, I have preparations tae make fer the journey, and little time tae make them.”
Yule would begin within ten days, which meant he had a seven-day at most to plan, pack, prepare the castle for his absence, communicate the story they would be using to Thora, ensure thatshehad everything she needed. It was a long list of things that needed doing, and there was nowhere near enough time to complete them all, at least not to his satisfaction.
“Me laird, what o’ me?” Mac followed him as he left the council chambers. “Will I be accompanying ye as well?”
He was tempted to leave Mac at Cameron Castle, just for the comfort of knowing his home was in the hands of someone he trusted.
However, after a moment, common sense told him he needed someone he trusted to guard his back, especially with a crafty lass like Thora around. Furthermore, every guest would be expected to bring at least one retainer, and it would look odd if he arrived without his second-in-command. In fact, Lachlan Ross might take offense, especially if he guessed that it was a lack of trust on his part.
“Ye’ll be accompanying me. The day-watch guard captain can tak’ over training the men - nae that they’ll get much training if the weather continues as it is - and the Council and the steward can manage the rest. Donovan’s capable enough tae manage without both o’ us fer a few days, even during the Yule festivities.”
“Aye, me laird.” Mac sounded resigned, but also relieved. He must have shared Aedan’s misgivings, which in turn reassured Aedan that he was being sensible, not overly cautious.
“Likely as nae, yer lass will need some clothing. She didnae have much with her when she arrived.” Mac’s observation made Aedan groan.
“She’s nae me lass,” Aedan hissed, just as they encountered Thora in the hall. Aedan quickly changed the subject and told her what had been decided. He then turned to his friend.
“Mac, please tell Rhiannon that Thora MacTavish will be attending Yule as Thora Cameron. She needs a wardrobe tae suit her new station. From undergarments tae outer, and everything from informal travel wear tae dresses fer formal feasting and dancing. She can get some girls from the village tae help her.”
“Och, she’ll be well pleased tae hear it, though ye can expect a lecture from her for giving her so little time tae work with.”
