Page 116 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

Ailis looked at her. “The bindin’ is only days away now, Marion.”

“Aye.”

“And Gordon hasnae even come to see me.”

Sorcha’s smile faded. Marion reached across and gently touched Ailis’s hand.

“He has been occupied.”

“With searchin’ for Laird Kerr?”

“Aye.”

The name brought a shadow across the room.

Ailis lowered her eyes. “I suppose there are more important things than spendin’ time with yer intended.”

Marion’s fingers squeezed hers.

“Daenae make yerself small simply because Gordon is a difficult man. Ye still have me, and Lileas to fill yer days here. I am glad that ye will be a part of our family, Ailis.”

Ailis gave a weak laugh. “That sounds like somethin’ ye have been waitin’ to tell me.”

“Aye.”

For a while, the conversation drifted to lighter things.

Harriet complained about the difficulty of finding enough good linen. Sorcha argued over ribbon colors. Jane insisted that Ailis needed more embroidery on her sleeves.

Ailis listened and smiled for most of it. She even laughed too, but beneath it all, her heart remained fixed upon one person.

Where is he?

She hated herself for wondering. She hated that every footstep in the corridor made her glance toward the door. She hated that she still wanted him to come to her. Most of all, she hated that she would have forgiven him almost anything if he had simply walked through the door and looked at her as he once had.

Eventually, she rose. “I think I need some air.”

She left the drawing room and entered the corridor.

She had barely gone a few steps when she caught sight of Gordon. He was walking with Malcolm and several guards, speaking quietly.

Her heart lurched, and she stopped instinctively.

Gordon did not look toward her. Not once.

His attention remained fixed upon the men beside him.

“Still nay word on Laird Kerr?” he was asking.

“Nay,” Malcolm replied.

“We have searched the western road twice,” she heard one of the other guards say. “There is nay sign of him.”

“What do ye think he is plannin’?” Malcolm asked.

Gordon’s expression hardened. “I daenae ken.”

They continued past her, and he still did not look her way.