Aisling's cheeks flushed. “We dinna ken why. He is always so kind to my mother and treats me with the same kind of respect and kindness.”
“Mayhap I can convince her that he is of good heart,” Alasdair said.
“Nay. She willna tell me why, only to say it could be the death of us.”
Alasdair looked at Coinneach to gauge his reaction.
He shrugged. “She willna discuss what worries her. I’ve tried everything I can think of.”
“Coinneach, Aisling, come with us. We’ll show Aisling’s mother that we are friends and allies. Mayhap that will help,” Alasdair said.
Coinneach couldn’t have a better friend than Alasdair. “Aye, if you think it will be all right with Chief Hamish.”
Alasdair slapped him on the back. “You will have to sit at a lower table.”
“To be closer to Aisling, I would do anything. I’ve always wanted to see the inside of the castle also.”
“I am Cook’s assistant, and I’ll be serving the meals. I’ll sit in the kitchen and eat after the laird and everyone else eats.Otherwise, I would ensure I could sit with you at the meal.” She sounded so disappointed, and he knew exactly how she felt.
Alasdair cleared his throat. “Maybe in the future, I could help to change your circumstances, but for now, I’ll be visiting with Chief Hamish. We brought barrels of wine to celebrate the occasion.”
“Was Chief Hamish angry when your da had gone to visit him when we were younger and we ate the boar?”
“Nay, we had wine that time too, and he was much pleased.” Alasdair motioned to one of the spare horses they had brought with them this time. “Yours and your lady’s to ride. I dinna know you would have a companion.”
She was hoisted onto Coinneach's lap and whispered, “Do you know how to ride?”
“Alasdair taught Tamhas and me when we were younger.” Coinneach held her close.
“He is a good friend indeed.”
“Aye.”
“Let me tell my family where I’ll be,” Coinneach said.
“Aye. We’ll head toward Middleborough Castle, and you can catch up,” Alasdair said.
Coinneach inclined his head and galloped toward the croft.
“’Tis exhilarating and frightening at the same time,” she said.
“See the distance we cover in such a short time?”
“Aye. Much quicker than walking.”
As soon as he reached the croft, he called out to his family to let them know they had visitors and told Aisling, “I’ll be right back.”
Magnus walked out of the croft with Tamhas right behind them, while Elspeth wiped her hands off on a cloth as she joined them.
“Alasdair has invited me to dine with him at the castle,” Coinneach said.
His da smiled. “Good. Mayhap Aisling’s mother will see you differently then.”
“Aye, she’s the one for you.” Elspeth waved at Aisling, who smiled and waved back.
“I’m off then before Alasdair reaches the castle and I canna gain entrance.”
“Aye, go,” Magnus said.
