“Shall I set yer food in the dining hall, me Lady?” the maid asked in her usual bright tone. “The men are already gathered there.”
The words, for some reason, made Lily go still. Her hand froze on the laces, and a cold shiver ran down her spine.
“Is the Laird there?” she asked, her voice wary.
“Aye,” Daisy said. “The Laird is there with his friend and his man-at-arms.”
Lily shuddered at the thought. Sitting across the table from Alasdair, with Finn watching from one side and Nathan from the other, would be unbearable.
The memory of that cave still burned hot in her mind. On some days, she could feel his mouth on her skin and his hands on her body as though he owned her. She could not sit in his presence and pretend it had not happened.
And if she knew anything about Alasdair, he couldn’t do that as well.
“Bring me food here,” she said at last. “I shall eat in me chamber.”
Daisy blinked and nodded. “As ye wish, me Lady. Shall I also check the post for ye? Perhaps one of yer sisters has written back.”
“Aye,” Lily said quickly. She held onto that thought as if it were a lifeline. “Check for me. If there is a letter, bring it here.”
Daisy nodded and left. When the door closed behind her, Lily eventually exhaled. She pressed her palm to her head, almost as if she was forcing herself to be calm. If she couldn’t sit at a dining table with Alasdair and his men, then what the hell would she be able to do as time went on? She knew she had to sometimes. Even more, she knew she had to do itfast.
When Daisy returned, Lily was already in the bath. She sank deeper into the water, with soap lathered across her arms.
“Nay letter yet, me Lady,” Daisy said.
Lily swallowed hard, lowering her arms. “Thank ye. Leave the tray there.”
“Is there anything else I can do?” Daisy asked kindly.
Lily hesitated. She turned her face toward the maid, then looked away. “As a matter of fact, aye. Tell me, is there a way to reach the wounded hall without going past the Great Hall?”
Daisy tilted her head, then nodded. “Aye. There is a small door at the far side of the castle. People daenae use it much, but itleads straight out into the garden and rounds the castle toward the hall. ‘Tis longer than the normal route, of course.”
Lily let out a sigh of relief. “That doesnae matter one bit. I would like ye to take me there, Daisy. I wish to use it from now on.”
The maid frowned a little, and for a moment, Lily wondered if Daisy would see right through her.
“Is everything well, me Lady?”
“It is fine,” Lily said quickly. “I only want a change of scenery.”
That seemed to satisfy Daisy. She smiled immediately and rubbed her knuckles. “Then ye shall have it. One thing ye can be sure of is that the view will never bore ye.”
Lily found herself smiling. “Thank ye. Come back in a few minutes, once I have eaten. Then, go fetch food for yerself.”
Daisy’s smile widened. “Aye, me Lady. I shall.”
She curtsied and left the chamber.
The silence after her departure felt heavier. Lily climbed out of the bath and dried her skin, her eyes drifting to the wardrobe at the far side of the chamber. Inside hung the dresses she had been given since her arrival. She opened the doors, and her gaze caught the moonlight-blue gown.
The same one that had stolen her breath the first day she set her eyes on it. The fabric shimmered in the morning light, almost as soft and gentle as water.
Daisy returned just as Lily’s fingers hovered over the silk, her eyes lighting up as she closed the door behind her. “Ye would look breathtaking in that one, me Lady. The Laird would be most impressed.”
Something in her tone froze Lily’s blood. The very thought of wearing the gown, of letting Alasdair see her in it, made her stomach twist.
She drew her hand back sharply. “I willnae wear it.”
