Page 112 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

Her words ended on a sob as Sorcha took her one hand and Marion took the other.

“Ye are all right now,” Marion whispered to her. “Ye are safe. Gordon found ye and brought ye back to the keep. All ye need do now is eat and rest.”

Ailis swallowed to push down the lump in her throat and asked the question burning on her mind. “Did he come to see me?”

Hope fluttered in her chest like a freed bird, but it did not last long.

Silence slipped into the moment and lasted for a long second.

Sorcha’s gaze dropped, and Marion suddenly found the hedgehog so interesting that she took it from Lileas and began to stroke it gently.

Even Jane looked toward the window to avoid her gaze.

Ailis’ stomach sank. “Oh.”

The single word came out quietly. They did not need to reply to her. She already knew he did not come.

And why would he?

Gordon had already made his feelings clear.

He did not want her.

Carryin’ me home was merely his duty as laird.

“I see,” she whispered before sinking deeper into her pillows and letting her eyes drift closed.

The ache in her chest grew heavier as she closed her eyes, pretending to sleep, but she knew not to let it swallow her whole.

Gordon spent the next morning convincing himself that finding Kerr mattered more than seeing Ailis.

It was a lie, and he knew it.

Every time he opened his mouth to issue another order, his thoughts returned to the same place.

Is she awake? Is she still frightened? How hurt is she?

He worried endlessly and did not think he could bring himself to look her in the eye if he went to her chambers.

She might nae want to see me either.

He did not think that she would. Not after he had asked her to leave.

Gordon could still remember the weight of her against his chest, her arms locked around his neck, her cheek resting against him as though she trusted him despite everything he had done to send her away.

He wanted to see her and to hold her again. Gordon longed to feel her warm body pressed into his and the heat of her breath on his neck as she clung to him for support. If he held her close, he could be certain that she was safe.

Gods help me, he wanted it badly.

But he had no idea what he would say when he stood before her.

So, he buried himself in the search for Kerr.

By midday, the keep had begun to recover from the panic of the previous night. Children ran through the corridors again, and servants moved between the kitchens and the great hall. The little girl who had been ill for days was finally well enough to join Lileas, and the two raced through the courtyard with Brochan waddling indignantly behind them.

Gordon stopped when he saw them and admired their freedom as they laughed and made their nurse chase after them.

Lileas was clutching a handful of flowers when she raced toward him and stopped. She beamed the moment she looked up at him, and his heart warmed at the sight.