I’d really had every intention of doing what he asked. I’d changed into my jeans, bra, t-shirt, and tennis shoes. I’d gathered all the materials for the spell and even started burning the herbs. But when I sat down to read the spell out loud, I realized the words just weren’t going to come out of my mouth.
There was no way in hell I was going through with the spell. I didn’t care that Eoin wanted to die knowing I was safe. That would be no comfort to me as I moved miserably through life without him, scrubbing snot off the backs of school chairs. I’d said vows, albeit while I thought I was in a coma. But I meant them now, and I was not going to oblige him. Screw the sense of duty he felt over keeping me safe. Deep down he didn’t really want me gone, even if he was too noble to let himself admit it.
Blowing out the burning herbs, I quickly changed out of my modern clothes and back into the dress I’d put on this morning. I didn’t know what time the battle would begin, but I wanted to be certain I saw Eoin before the men took their positions. If he wanted me to hide with the other women during the fight, fine, but he needed to know I hadn’t completed the spell.
*
I was running up the stairs in my rush to get out of the basement and find Eoin when voices from around the corner caused me to slow my pace. Stopping only a few steps away from the noise, I listened to try and make out what they were saying.
After a moment I recognized the first as the always-slurred voice of Ramsay Kinnaird. The second, I could only assume, was the daughter whom had oddly been absent from our sight, during our stay at Kinnaird Castle.
“Unless, ye want me to beat ye half to death, doona ye dare let me find ye talking to someone from Conall Castle again. Do ye understand?”
“I wasna going to tell them anything, father. I was only visiting.”
The mousy voice sounded quiet, frightened, and I immediately felt uncomfortable with the situation. I heard his hand as it made hard contact with the girl’s face, undoubtedly bruising her, and I stepped out from around the corner so that they both could see me.
Ramsay instantly stepped away from the young girl, and I was shocked at how quickly he was able to change his face from one of malice to one of pure sugar. “Ah, Lady Blaire, my daughter only stepped away from the crowd for a moment to have a private conversation. If I’d known ye were down here, we would not have disturbed ye.”
“Yes, I can see that.” I turned to the girl whose face was already red and inflamed, not attempting any semblance of a Scottish accent. “What’s your name? We haven’t met before.”
The girl hesitated, her gaze darting between mine and her father’s. When Ramsay stayed silent, she spoke. “Edana. Pleasure to meet ye.”
I smiled at her. “The pleasure’s mine. Are you alright? Would you like to accompany me on a walk?”
Ramsay reached out and grabbed Edana by the arm. “Aye, she’s fine o’ course. Just worried about the battle is all. And I’m afraid she’s been a bit ill. Best if she does no leave the castle.”
“Thank you, Ramsay, but I didn’t ask you if you’d like to walk. Edana looks old enough to answer for herself.”
Ramsay turned his cold eyes on me, all semblance of kindness gone. “Ye overstep, Lady Blaire. Tis not yer place to tell me when my daughter may speak for herself. And if I may say so, I believe ye are overtired yerself. Ye are speaking quite strangely, lass.”
Ramsay was accustomed to obedience from women, and he expected me to apologize at once. He didn’t know me very well at all. “No, Laird Kinnaird. You overstep by laying foul hands on your daughter. If I see another bruise or red mark on her while you are staying here, I can assure you Eoin will no longer be requiring your assistance, battle or no. It would suit you to remember whose home you are in. Do I make myself clear?”
Ramsay’s face flushed red, but he managed to keep his anger under control as he replied curtly, “Aye. Now, if ye will excuse me.” He released Edana’s arm, and after flashing her a look of undisputable warning, turned and stormed from the stairwell.
I reached forward to touch Edana’s shoulder. “Are you really alright? He shouldn’t have touched you so.”
“Aye, miss. Ye should no have spoken to him as ye did. It will no mean good things for ye.”
Her fear for me was evident in her eyes, and I was certain that what I’d witnessed was little to what often occurred between them. “I’m not afraid of your father. He seems a right bastard, though. Listen, if you need anything while you’re here, just come and find me. You don’t have to go back with him after the battle if you don’t want to.”
“Thank ye, miss. It’s best that I go now.”
With her head down, she followed in the direction of her father, and I wondered briefly if perhaps I’d made things worse for her.
I hoped not, but I couldn’t allow myself to think much on it right now.
I had to find Eoin.
Chapter 40