Mary drew her brows together, and Arran knew she did not yet understand his plan. “Aye, fine. But how do ye think ye shall get the Kinnaird Clan to agree to such an arrangement, and what if Tormod wins? That will do nothing to keep her from him.”
“They will agree because they are all eager to name a new laird. If they do not, they will no longer have the hospitality of staying on our land. And Tormod willna win.”
Mary’s scrunched eyebrows rose in question. “And just how do ye know that? He’s quite a strong looking lad.”
“Tormod willna win because I plan to enter. I will win and marry Edana meself.”
Chapter 11
Scotland
Present Day
I was unsure of how they’d convinced me to leave with them. It certainly meant losing another job, and I dinna have any other friends that could help me in obtaining another one once I returned to Edinburgh from our trip back into the country.
I continued to question me decision as I sat in the back of the small cramped car next to Bri’s friend, Mitsy, who had thankfully settled down. I was sure that she thought us all mad. How could anyone not after hearing our story? All the same, she was no longer hysterical, and it was undeniable that she’d been in desperate need of a good night’s sleep. She looked much better, even quite striking, with her long, red curls fixed nicely no longer matted down by tears.
As we pulled up in front of the all-too-familiar inn near the castle, I realized that it was a potent mixture of fear and hope that had caused me to agree to stay here with Eoin for the next week. I’d sworn to meself that I wouldna return when I left, and I was terrified to do so now, but I was even more terrified of letting this opportunity slip away. I’d suspected last evening in the pub that there was more to Bri and Eoin’s visit to this time than Bri’s desire to finish some things she’d left undone. Somehow their visit involved me.
My suspicions were confirmed this morning when they’d asked me to leave town for a week to keep Eoin company and watch over him while Bri and Mitsy left for Mitsy’s wedding. Eoin was more than capable of taking care of himself, especially if he was staying with Jerry and Gwendolyn, or was it Morna? None of us was sure of how to refer to the magical innkeeper anymore. Something remained that Eoin wanted to discuss with me, and me curiosity over that something was enough for me to leave me position in Edinburgh and run toward uncertainty once again.
It seemed likely that Eoin’s news might only break me heart further and make me wish I’d remained in Edinburgh. He’d not said much about me father when I’d asked him. Perhaps he was ill or had discovered that I was gone. I hoped he hadn’t. I wouldn’t be able to bear the guilt of knowing I’d caused him such pain.
But what if it was something else? What if now that Eoin was married to someone else, Arran wanted me to return home to be with him? The thought made my stomach flutter excitedly, but just as quickly it turned to an uncomfortable churn as I realized what I knew must be true. Arran didn’t want me to return. He probably didn’t care that I was gone. If he did, he would have come here himself. He had far too much pride to allow his brother to make such a request of me.
The car had been parked for some time, and everyone else was unloading their belongings as I remained in the backseat, a familiar depression gliding over me as me latest realization drained away all the hope I’d had of Eoin’s news being good.
After this week, I would return to the city, jobless once more, and I would start again.
Me own reflection in the window to me left startled me, and I jumped as Bri lightly knocked against the window. “Come on inside, Blaire. They have food laid out for you and Eoin. Mitsy and I have to be on our way to the airport. Our flight is in a couple of hours.”
Doing me best to manage a smile, I apologized and joined the others inside. Shortly after, Bri and Mitsy drove away, leaving me to wallow in me nerves over what sad news Eoin had yet to share with me.
*
Austin, TX
As the song came to its end, Bri pulled away from her dance partner, smiling as she pulled him in for a hug. “Thank you, Daniel. You’re a wonderful dancer.”
“It was my pleasure, dear.” The man, forty years her senior, kissed her hand before showing her back to her seat. “And you’re right. I am a wonderful dancer. If we’d only been able to go on our date, you would know that already.”
Bri laughed as she sat down at the now empty table. All of those seated next to her were out on the dance floor. “My loss.”