Page 32 of Saved By the Cruel Highlander
“I—” Holly racked her brain, trying to think, knowing that she knew.
“The weddin’,” Eliza stated. “Ye’re to be wed in a month, and there’s a lot to do. It sounds like a long time, but it really isnae.”
Holly looked around and saw maids and footmen, and even some guards, moving about at speed. Part of her wondered why they would go to such trouble, and the other part of her swelled with pride at such a fuss being made.
“Did the Laird order ye to do all this?” she asked.
“Aye, of course,” Eliza replied. “He wants everythin’ to be perfect. He always says that if ye are to do somethin’, ye might as well do it as best ye can.”
“Aye,” Holly agreed.
She tried not to smile. Between the kiss and the wedding preparations, the Laird acted in unexpected ways.
“Where is Laird McAllister?” she asked.
Eliza gripped the linens a little tighter. “Have ye been lookin’ for him?”
Holly watched as Ollie lifted his nose, as if he were smelling something, before he trotted off. It was as if he was in a rush to get somewhere but was holding back so as not to seem too eager.
“Nay, I was on me way to the kitchens to get food for Ollie, but he must have other plans,” Holly replied.
“Och, aye,” Eliza said. “He might be on his way to get some food. He probably heard a mouse skittering about. There are a fair few of them in the castle.”
“Hmm,” Holly murmured.
“I should get goin’ afore the housekeeper chastises me for nae doin’ me job,” Eliza said.
Holly took the opportunity to discover what the young maid was hiding. She stood as straight as possible. “Is the Laird still in the castle, or did he go out?”
“Aye, he went out. Likely to the cabin,” Eliza said.
“The cabin?” Holly furrowed her brow.
“Och, I shouldnae have said that.”
“What’s the cabin for?” Holly asked.
“It’s… it’s nae really me place to say.” Eliza squirmed.
“Then tell me where it is, and I’ll find out for meself.”
“I dinnae ken if I should,” Eliza replied.
Holly folded her arms across her chest. “Eliza, I’m to be Lady McAllister soon. I have the right to ken what’s goin’ on here. Will ye just tell me where the cabin is, and I willnae tell anyone ye told me.”
“Och, ye have me by the long and short of it,” Eliza said. “Ye are a wily one. Please dinnae tell anyone.”
“I willnae,” Holly assured her.
“Take the west exit and go to the woods. There’s a small deer path. Follow it for a mile, and ye’ll come to a fork. Dinnae take either path. Instead, turn right and go through the Rhododendron bushes. Ye’ll find it soon after.”
“Thank ye,” Holly said, patting the woman’s arm.
Eliza hurried off, lest she said something else she shouldn’t. Ollie was nowhere to be seen, off chasing mice somewhere.
“Eat yer fill, Ollie.”
The fewer mice in the castle, the better.
