Page 65 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

Marion exchanged an amused glance with Jane. “That depends,” she said slowly.

“On?” Ailis asked.

“Whether this thought involves causin’ any trouble.”

“It involves helpin’ someone, and I daenae cause trouble.”

Marion laughed at that, but it was a soft chuckle. “Ye, me dear, have caused more ruckus in this castle than ever since ye arrived on our grounds.”

It was Ailis’ turn to chuckle now.

“What is this plan?” Marion questioned.

“Perhaps all the tapestries, curtains, blankets with the fluffy sheep, the embroidered skies, the flowered linens…” She looked up and paused for a bit. “…the things I brought from home that I put in Gordon’s chamber. He doesnae like them, so I want them in Lileas chamber instead.”

Ailis paused for a bit then added, “They might look rather lovely in there. It will make Lileas and Brochan feel comfortable.”

Marion blinked. “The hedgehog will be stayin’ with Lileas?”

Jane looked uncertain for a little bit. “I daenae think the Laird will like that.”

“He doesnae need to,” she answered. “But the child deserves a chamber that willnae terrify her or leave her cold. I am sure he will understand that.”

She looked at Marion as she said those words and Marion nodded slowly, agreeing with her.

“All right then. Shall we get to it?” Ailis announced, and just like that, they began arranging.

Ailis spread soft blankets across Lileas’s little bed. Jane hung cheerful curtains embroidered with blue skies and tiny white clouds. Marion carefully folded flowered linens into the chest beneath the window. Brochan’s basket found its place beside the hearth. The sun had started to set by the time they finally finished.

“There,” Ailis said proudly. “Lileas shall never fear sleepin’ here.”

Marion looked around the room. “Nay, she willnae. And it is all thanks to ye.”

A faint smile touched her lips, and Ailis heaved out a deep breath, hoping it would help ease the heaviness in her chest.

It did not. That feeling existed because of Gordon. However, she would focus on her days and avoid thinking about him.

She would put Gordon out of her mind for good.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

By the time Gordon rode beneath the keep’s gate, dusk had surrendered to night.

The torches along the bailey walls had already been lit, their flames bowing beneath the restless Highland wind. Men nodded as he passed, offering weary greetings that he returned with little more than an incline of his head.

He was exhausted. The day had begun before sunrise and had scarcely allowed him a moment to breathe since. A washed-out bridge had needed inspecting. Two neighboring crofters had nearly come to blows over grazing rights. Patrol routes along the eastern border had required changing after another sighting of Kerr’s men.

Every problem found him. Every decision rested upon him.

It seemed that each morning, the weight upon his shoulders grew heavier than the one before.

By the time he climbed the stairs toward his chambers, the muscles across his back burned with fatigue.

His jaw ached. He realized, with mild irritation, that he had been clenching it for most of the day.

He pushed open the chamber door.

Silence greeted him.