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
Arran left his brother’s bedchamber with a heavy heart. He’d never seen Eoin so devastated, and it made him realize how wrong he’d been about Bri. Eoin loved her just as much as he loved Blaire, and seeing that made him feel guilty for how ardently he’d tried to send her away.
It was selfish behavior, and now that Bri was gone, he found himself wishing that he could do something to get her back. Even if Eoin was right and they’d all be dead come evening, Arran knew Eoin was weaker without Bri by his side.
He nearly jumped out of his skin, then, when he passed Bri on his way down to the dungeon. She said nothing to him; she only smiled briefly in his direction before hurrying on her way. It was such a normal interaction that it took Arran a moment before he realized that she shouldn’t have been there. He whirled around to catch her attention before she got too far away. “Bri! Come here, lass.”
He moved in her direction, meeting her halfway in the middle of the room.
“I’m sorry, Arran. I don’t have time. I’ve got to find Eoin.”