Page 19 of The Ruthless Highlander's Hellion
Alexandra turned sharply, eyes narrowing. “Of course I am! I never asked to be brought here!”
“Aye,” Erica said, her voice still calm, “but ye’ve nae gone screamin’ from the castle either.”
Alexandra flushed and turned away, the fire’s heat prickling at her cheeks. “That’s different.”
“Is it?” Erica pressed, stepping closer. “Ye’ve barely left yer room since the laird returned with the bairn. Ye’ve been sittin’ here, stew goin’ cold, and pretendin’ ye daenae care. What happened?”
“I daenae want to talk about it,” Alexandra said quickly, her voice rising just enough to cut the air.
Erica raised a brow. “So it’s the laird, then.”
Alexandra’s silence answered for her. She stood rigid by the hearth, hands gripping the back of the chair as if bracing herself against a storm.
Erica sighed, stepping back with a knowing look. “I see. Well… he’s nae exactly easy to ignore, is he?”
“Nay,” Alexandra admitted, voice low, almost a whisper. “He’s… nae.”
“Did he do somethin’?” Erica asked carefully. “Somethin’ ye dinnae want?”
Alexandra turned toward her sharply. “Nay! He dinnae—he just… kissed me.”
Erica blinked. “Ach. Did ye kiss him back?”
Alexandra’s face burned as she looked away. “That’s none of yer business.”
“That’s a yes, then,” Erica said with a slight smirk. “Me lady, I may be yer maid, but I’ve eyes. Ye’ve been floatin’ through this place like a ghost ever since.”
“I hate him,” Alexandra muttered.
“Do ye?” Erica asked, her tone gentle.
Alexandra said nothing. She moved back to her chair and sat slowly, her gaze on the dying fire. The flames flickered in her eyes, but it was the storm inside her that burned brighter.
“I hate that I kissed him,” she added finally. “Hate that it meant somethin’. It shouldnae have. He’s the enemy.”
Erica sat beside her, resting her hands in her lap. “Maybe. Or maybe things arenae as simple as they used to be.”
Alexandra exhaled slowly, her voice bitter. “He took me. He's put me only family at risk. And yet…”
“And yet ye feel somethin’,” Erica finished for her, nodding. “That’s what frightens ye.”
“Aye,” Alexandra whispered. “It does.”
They sat in silence for a while, the fire crackling low between them. Outside, the wind beat softly against the shutters, a reminder that time moved forward whether they were ready or not. Alexandra pulled the shawl tighter around her shoulders again, but it did little to keep out the chill creeping through her bones.
“Maybe ye should talk to him,” Erica said after a time.
“Nay,” Alexandra said firmly. “I cannae let him see how he’s gotten under me skin. I just need to leave. Before everythin’ gets worse.”
Erica looked at her with quiet sympathy. “Then maybe ye ought to start plannin’ a way to deal with all this. Because if ye wait much longer, it might nae be yer choice anymore.”
Alexandra stared at the fire. Deep down, she knew Erica was right. But part of her feared it was already too late.
The next day, the sun shone brightly over O'Donnell Castle. Alexandra ached to go outside in the sunshine, but she did not want to run into Nicholas. She felt ashamed of how she handled his kiss.
"Me lady, ’tis Erica. Open the door," Erica knocked on the door.
Alexandra opened it. "I'm nae hungry Erica…" she started to say, expecting Erica to be holding breakfast for her.
