Page 81 of A Wife for the Highland Villain
He turned and left, the door clicking shut behind him.
Alasdair walked back to his seat and braced his hands on the desk. His eyes fell on the maps, though he barely saw them. Trouble was coming; he could feel it.
He only hoped—no,prayedhe was prepared for it.
Lily ran down the passageway, the excitement on her face so intense that even a blind man could feel it. She nodded to the maids who greeted her and eventually exhaled when she found the door to the dining hall.
She walked in, her eyes peeled until they eventually settled on her sister. She ran to her, her eyes twinkling with joy.
“Brigid!” she exclaimed, gripping her tightly. “Ye came earlier than I expected.”
Brigid squeezed her back with equal force, laughing softly into her shoulder. “Aye, we did. Conall had business near the border, so we thought to come straight away. I thought it’d be a great idea to surprise ye.”
“Well, surprised I am,” Lily said, stepping back to look at her sister’s face. She took in her fuller cheeks and the faint glow that Brigid always seemed to carry. “How long will ye stay?”
“As long as ye’ll have us,” Brigid answered, beaming. Then, she leaned back to look Lily over from head to toe. “God above, ye’ve grown into yerself, Lily. Look at ye now.”
Lily rolled her eyes, though warmth spread through her chest. “Listen to ye, talking as if ye’re nae the youngest. And like I wasnae in yer castle just a few weeks ago!”
Brigid laughed, loud and unashamed, and Conall cleared his throat.
Lily turned to him at once, opened her arms, and hugged him. “Forgive me, Conall, for nae greeting ye sooner.”
“Nay need,” he said, his voice calm and even. He rested a hand on her shoulder as she stepped back. “I understand. Besides, ye’ve made quite the name for yerself here. I’ve already heard talk.”
“‘Tis nothing,” Lily said quickly, waving her hand dismissively. “I’m only serving as a healer, nay more.”
Conall’s brow creased. “That is nae what we were told.”
Her smile faltered. “And what were ye told?”
Before Conall could respond, Brigid lifted her hand. “Let us nae spoil this moment with needless talk. ‘Tis a happy day, Lily. We’re together again.”
Lily exhaled and nodded. “Aye, ye’re right.” She changed the subject again, deciding not to linger on what had happened already. “Have the maids seen to ye? Did they take yer things?”
“They did,” Brigid said. “Though they’re all in the kitchen now, fussing about dinner. And we both ken that means we have at least an hour or two before anything makes its way to the table. Until then, we need to talk.”
Lily opened her mouth to respond, but a deep voice carried across the hall, freezing the words in her mouth. “Talk about what?”
Her back stiffened, and she turned to see Alasdair stepping inside.
Conall greeted him first, giving a polite bow of his head. “Laird MacRay.”
Alasdair inclined his head. “Laird MacKane.”
Brigid’s eyes widened as she looked at him. “Good Lord above, Alasdair. Ye’ve grown. Ye’re nae the boy I remember.”
Alasdair gave her that half-smile Lily both dreaded and loved. “Ye’re one to speak.”
“That is exactly what I said,” Lily spoke up, the vindication in her voice evident.
Alasdair laughed. “I remember when ye could barely lift a basket of fish without dropping half of it on the dock.”
Brigid’s cheeks flushed. “That was ten years ago, Alasdair. Ye did not need to bring that up.”
The three of them laughed together, the sound echoing warmly through the dining hall.
“It truly is good to see ye again,” Alasdair added, his voice softening.
