Brigid nodded, then lowered her voice. “I’m sorry Valerie and Megan couldnae come. ‘Tis too risky for Valerie to travel, and Megan stayed behind to care for her.”
“That matters little,” Alasdair said. “They’ll be missed, aye, but daenae fret. If Megan were here, she’d likely bite me ear off before the night was over.”
Brigid burst into laughter. “That she would.”
Conall, who had been watching Alasdair carefully, cleared his throat again. “There are matters I would like to discuss with ye, Laird MacRay. In private, if ye’ll allow it.”
Alasdair did not hesitate. “Of course. We’ll use me study.”
Conall bent, pressed a kiss to Brigid’s cheek, and promised to return before the meal. She gave his arm a squeeze in reply, and then he and Alasdair retreated, leaving the two sisters alone.
The hall grew quieter once the men’s footsteps faded, and Brigid turned to Lily, her eyebrow arched. “I hope I’m nae stealing ye away from yer work in the hall.”
“Nae at all,” Lily said with a small wave of her hand. “The maids can manage without me for a while.”
“Still delegating,” Brigid teased, putting her hands on her hips. “I see ye havenae changed at all.”
Lily smirked. “And how else would ye, Valerie, and Megan have learned anything at all if I didnae make ye do the chores?”
“Daenae flatter yerself,” Brigid huffed, though her grin gave her away.
Lily felt her chest loosen. It was strange how easy it was to slip back into the usual rhythm with her sister; it was like the years apart had been no more than days.
Brigid exhaled and touched her lower back with a wince. “First things first. We need to talk somewhere comfortable. I have been jostled in that carriage for hours, and me back feels as stiff as the castle gates.”
“Come then,” Lily said quickly. She turned and called softly to a maid who lingered nearby. “Take Lady MacKane’s bag to the guest chambers.”
The maid curtsied, lifted the small satchel, and hurried ahead.
Brigid looped her arm through Lily’s as they followed. “Ye have done well, Lily,” she whispered. “I can see it already.”
Lily swallowed, unsure what to say, so she only squeezed her sister’s arm as they made their way through the castle.
CHAPTER 25
Lily openedthe door to the guest room and led Brigid inside. The room was airy, with a tall window that let in the golden rays of the late sun.
Brigid wasted no time as Lily closed the door gently behind her. She ran across the rug, collapsed onto the bed, and let out a long sigh.
“Good Lord,” she groaned, stretching her arms wide. “Ye have nay idea just how much I have been waiting for this.”
Lily chuckled as she set Brigid’s bag on the chest at the foot of the bed. “Oh well, I am glad I could provide a soft landing for ye.”
Brigid turned onto her side, propped her head on her hand, and let her eyes sweep the room. “This is a far cry from where ye used to live. Quite the improvement, if I do say so meself.”
Lily raised an eyebrow. “Ye must be careful nae to say that too loudly. If Alasdair hears, it’ll go straight to his head. And believe me, I can hardly stand his smugness as it is.”
Brigid laughed, the sound ringing bright in the air. Lily laughed as well and sank into the only other chair in the room.
After a while, Brigid sat up, her eyes softening. “Did ye ever think this would happen? That he’d come for ye after ten years?”
“Of course nae,” Lily answered without hesitation. Her voice grew quieter and more thoughtful. “I thought he was dead. And when he showed up that day to take me, I wanted to kill him.”
Brigid’s lips twitched. “I never doubted that. Ye always had fire in ye.”
“I nearly managed it too,” Lily said, almost daring a smile. “I stabbed him in the thigh and tried to escape. I would have succeeded if he hadnae caught up to me.”
“Ye didnae.” Brigid’s eyes widened in delight.
