Lily (The Highland Clan Book 3) (5 page)

“Nay, a lad who was truly smitten would not turn down such a request from his laird. I may have to have a wee talk with the lad. They were meant for each other. Why can they not see it?”

“I agree with you, but they must come to this on their own, and you need to stay out of the matter.”

There was the sound of movement, a stall door opening and closing, and then Torrian’s voice burst out in the adjoining stall. “Good morn to you all. I see Molly, Maggie, and Sorcha await you outside.”

Lily crept back down to Sunshine’s stall, afraid her brother would sense her close presence. She fought the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks, drench the front of her, and land in a huge puddle beneath her.

So her papa had suggested a betrothal to Kyle and Kyle had refused.

Saints above, she had worried Kyle did not return her feelings, and here was the proof. Smitten. Apparently he was far from smitten. “Sunshine, did you hear that? Without conferring with me, my father asked Kyle if he wanted to marry me. Kyle refused.” She wrapped her arms around her beloved horse’s neck as the tears continued to track down her cheeks. Sunshine snorted and pawed the ground, but Lily could not stop.

Tears blurred her vision terribly, but she stood up straight, intent on finishing her chore. She pulled the braids out of the horse’s mane and combed through her fine white hair. Sunshine snorted again, and Lily responded, “I’m not up to putting more ribbons in your hair just now. You’ll just have to go without for a few days.”

She said naught as she continued with her task. The white beast did its best to nudge Lily into a better mood, but to no avail. Lily cried until she had no more tears. “I hate him, I hate everything about him. I’ll never speak a word to that lad again.”

Silence settled on her again until she whispered, “I know, Sunshine. I’ve told another lie. Do not worry, I am counting. I’ll apologize to my dearest Lord when I’m sure I’ve finished lying.”

She sniffled a few more times before she made an announcement. “In fact, I think I’ll change your name from Sunshine to Tilly.”

Her aunt Gwyneth, an able hunter, slipped into the stall before she heard the sound of approaching footsteps.

“Lily?”

Aunt Gwyneth was a woman of few words.

“Good day to you, Auntie.” She sniffled and hitched her breath a few times before she could bear to look at her aunt.

“Problems? Aught I can do to help?”

Lily shook her head. “Nay. I’m upset with the number of knots in Tilly’s lovely mane. But I’ve managed to remove most of them.”

“Tilly? Is that not Sunshine?”

“Mayhap.” Lily’s breath hitched three more times before she could speak. “I’ve changed her name to Tilly. It suits her better.”

“Aye, she is your horse to name as you choose. Would you like to go shooting arrows with Sorcha, Molly, Maggie, and me?”

Lily’s first instinct was to refuse, but then an unbidden thought changed her answer. “Aye, I’ll go, but you’ll have to teach me again, Aunt Gwyneth.”

“I’d be happy to. I did not think you’d accept.”

Lily stopped her sniveling, lifted her chin a notch, and replied. “I was planning to refuse, but I’ve changed my mind.”

“Good. Whatever changed your mind, it pleases me. We’ll await you outside.”

After Gwyneth left, she leaned over to whisper to her horse. “Tilly, you must come with me. I need to learn how to fire an arrow into Kyle Maule’s arse.”

Chapter Five

Kyle headed out to visit his mother. As Torrian’s second, he slept with the guards in their building, but he still checked on his mother often. He passed Seamus on the way, and the older man gave him a brief update on the search. “We have not found aught more than the tracks we discovered on the first day, Kyle. The man who followed Lily has left, probably chased away by the guards we’ve had combing the area. I’m convinced he’s taken his leave, at least for now.”

“Stay diligent, Seamus.”

“Aye, our men are out there. We’ll not let aught happen to our Lily.” He nodded and moved past Kyle.

Kyle simply nodded. Seamus was one of the best. He and Mungo had acted interchangeably as Quade’s second, and they had both agreed to stay on to assist Kyle in his new role. He trusted them implicitly, but his mind was elsewhere. Two days had passed since his meeting in the laird’s solar, and he couldn’t get past the feeling that he’d made the biggest mistake of his life. Ironically, while he’d done what he thought he needed to do in order to stay focused on his job as Torrian’s second, he was more distracted than ever. Lily, sweet Lily, was a distraction to him no matter what. He loved her with all his heart, and he did
not
wish to live his life without her. Unfortunately, he hadn’t come up with a solution.

His mother still lived in the same small cottage where he’d grown up. The hut was a distance from the bailey. His mother kept it spotless, and there were neighbors in the area, but Kyle wished she were closer since she was now alone. The stone walls held up well, and the thatched roof had barely any water leaks, but his sire had always been meticulous about providing for his mother.

Kyle needed to continue to do the same.

He finally reached his mother’s cottage. Part of him wished to confide in her, but he could not bear to tell her he’d refused his laird’s offer of a betrothal to Lily.

“Kyle? What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?” His mother kneaded her hands in her skirt, a habit of hers.

“Nay, I’m fine, Mama.” Hell, he was far from fine. Sick would be the proper word. It made him sick to think he’d just made the biggest mistake of his life. “Mama, I told our laird that if a cottage ever became available inside the bailey, I’d like you to move into it.”

His mother frowned. “Kyle, nay. I do not wish to move. I like it here.” Her gaze scanned the room at all the things she’d done to make it warm and comfortable. Kyle knew the feel of every soft cushion, warm plaid, and the smell of her soaps and her carefully kneaded breads.

Kyle was an only child, so he was the only one around to care for his mother. “But Mama, you would be much safer inside the bailey. And you are getting on in age…”

“Kyle Maule, do not insult your mother so. I know I am older than
you
, but I have quite a bit of life left in me. I’d prefer to live out my remaining years here in my home.”

He’d expected she would balk at moving, particularly since the cottage held the sweet memories of his sire, but he was concerned about his mother’s safety. Well, he’d done as planned. Mayhap she would see the wisdom of his words in time.

It was probably best that she hadn’t agreed to move yet, anyway. After refusing the betrothal to Lily, he doubted that either of his lairds would be willing to give him a boon for aught. He’d just have to continue to work hard and hope a cottage became available.

“Kyle, you love her, do you not?”

His mother’s whispered words took him by surprise. “What?”

“Lily. You love her. You always have.”

“How did you know?”

“Mothers know these things. Why do you not ask to court her? Our beloved Lily has grown up, and she will marry. Do not miss your chance.”

“Mama, I must focus on being the best possible second to our laird…and taking good care of you just as Da did.”

“Kyle, I appreciate all you do for me, but I am capable of taking care of most everything on my own. For certes, I do not want you to postpone marriage because you think you need to care for me. I would love to gain a daughter.” Her smile told him she was speaking in earnest. So many days had been heartbreaking for her after the loss of his sire. He was pleased to see she had finally adjusted to life without his father.

“I’ll think on it, Mama, but I cannot overlook my responsibilities. You know I wish to make Da proud.”

“You
have
made him proud. Being assigned the laird’s second would have made your sire prouder than aught.”

Indecision still weighed heavy on Kyle’s shoulders. “Do you not know the pressure I feel to perform my assignment well?”

Kyle’s mother rushed over to wrap her arm over his shoulders. “Aye, ‘tis true, Kyle. I believe you must focus for now. Just remember that it does not mean you should never marry.”

“Seamus never married. He said he could not do both. Mayhap I am the same.”

“Nay, I think not. I’d prefer to see you happy in your life outside your responsibilities. Think on it, please?”

“Aye, I will.” He knew it was a promise he would carry out, for he could not stop thinking about Lily. Why, he’d been enchanted with the wee lass from the first moment he met her. Kyle turned away from his mother and stared out the window, his mind focused on a memory from long ago when he was ten summers and Lily was around five.

***

Kyle’s mother and father had brought him to the keep to visit with Torrian. The clan had long believed the laird’s son was dead, so it had been a shock to all of them to discover he was not only alive, but
healed
and living in the great hall. The laird himself had requested Kyle’s presence that day, and his parents had been anxious to bring him along. Kyle was enchanted by the opportunity to visit the great hall and spend time with the laird’s family. He’d heard of Torrian and his sister, Lily, but he’d never had the chance to talk with either of them.

“Torrian has been sick for many years,” his mother said as they approached the keep, “but he has healed thanks to the laird’s new wife, Brenna. Now Torrian needs to have some friends, and our laird has honored your father by asking him to bring you to visit with him. Now please be a good laddie and be polite.”

Kyle was so awestruck by the close-up view of the huge keep that he did not say a word. Even the door was bigger than his father. His parents ushered him inside, and before he knew it, he was sitting across from Torrian at a table near the hearth, and his mama and da were strolling around the room with the laird and his new wife.

Torrian reached down to pet the head of the giant Deerhound at his feet. He was a thin boy with fair hair, but not as light as Lily’s. Though he was not standing, Kyle guessed him to be taller than he was, and he sat straight as an arrow in his chair. He noticed the soft cushions on Torrian’s chair, wondered if he was well yet. He did not think on it again because Torrian’s mind was sharp as any he’d ever encountered.

“Greetings,” Kyle said, just as his mother had instructed him to do.

“Greetings to you. What is your name?”

“Kyle. What is…? Och, never mind. I do know, you’re Torrian.”

“My parents made you come, did they not?”

Kyle thought it would not sound nice to agree, so he hesitated before answering. “Aye, but I wanted to come.”

“Why?” Torrian asked.

“To see what it was like inside. I’ve never been here before.” His gaze took in the high-beamed ceiling, the tapestries on the wall, the fresh rushes on the floor, and the wee lass darting around the room like a wee elf made of golden curls and giggles. “Who’s that?”

“That’s my sister, Lily.”

“I’ve never seen her before.” He guessed her to be around five summers, though he couldn’t tell for sure.

“Trust me, you will. She’ll come closer. She moves everywhere.”

“What are you playing?” Kyle said, taking in the board set out before the other boy.

“Chess. Do you know how to play?”

Kyle shook his head.

“Would you like to learn? I’ll teach you.”

“Aye.”

And he did. Kyle soaked up Torrian’s every word as he tried to remember the rules of the game. Then Lily interrupted them by racing over to Kyle’s side of the table.

“Torrian, who is your new friend?” she asked, planting her hands on the bench next to Kyle and staring straight at him. “Did you see how fast I am?” she asked.

“This is Kyle, Lily. Please do not bother him over much, I’m trying to teach him how to play chess.”

“All right, but I must do two things first.”

“Go ahead. I know you’ll not stop until I give in.” Torrian gave Kyle an apologetic look.

Lily giggled and said, “I love you, Torrian. You’re my favorite of all. Watch me run, Kyle. See if I’m not the fastest person you’ve ever seen.”

Kyle turned his face back to Torrian to see what Torrian thought of her request, but the wee one refused to be ignored. She climbed up on the bench, leaned toward him, and placed her tiny hand on his cheek, forcing him to look at her. “You cannot see me run if you look at my brother. You must watch me. My, but you have the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen, Kyle.”

Kyle nodded and gave her his full attention, watching as she took off around the chamber, darting around trestle tables as she giggled and tossed her golden locks this way and that. Finally, she stopped in front of him, panting and leaning toward him. He was so fascinated with her antics—he’d never seen someone with so much energy—that he’d turned around on the bench to watch her without realizing what he was doing.

Her eyes danced and sparkled, and she had a smile on her face the likes of which he’d never seen before. “Am I not the fastest of all, Kyle?” She hopped up and down while she waited for his response.

Her smile never dissipated, and Kyle recalled his father’s admonishment to be polite to all of the Ramsays. He decided telling a lie to a wee one was not so bad. “Aye, you are the fastest one here, Lily.”

“Oh! I knew it!” She laughed and jumped up and down, clapping her wee hands together before she leaned toward him and wrapped her arms around him in a tight squeeze.

“Why’d you do that?” Kyle asked, puzzled by the strange gesture.

“You do not know? Why, ‘twas a hug! Do you not know what a hug is?” Her eyes widened, and she stepped back, but the smile still did not leave her face.

He shook his head. Aye, his mother had kissed him on the cheek, and he’d seen his father embrace his mother, but he did not recall ever being embraced by a lass in such a way.

“Then you must have another.” She reached for him and hugged him again, yellow strands of her hair drifting into his face along with a sweet aroma of flowers.

Still puzzled, he said naught, but he let her have her way. He would never forget what she said next.

“Did you not know, Kyle? A hug makes everything better. Do you not agree?” With that, she laughed again and ran off.

“Sorry about my sister,” Torrian said. “Some lads find her annoying.”

Kyle, his gaze still following the enchanting lass around the hall, had answered, “Not me. I like her.”

He’d never made a truer statement in his life.

That was the beginning of a wonderful friendship between Kyle and Torrian.

***

Kyle stared out of the window, his mind still focused on Lily. She’d flown into his life as if on the wings of an angel, and thankfully, she’d never left. Each day Lily’s essence had dug a wee bit deeper into his soul until the initial liking he’d felt had turned to a love that frightened him.

“Mama, I have a new position that carries much responsibility,” he finally muttered, realizing he had stayed silent too long. “I cannot involve myself with such frivolous things. You know how I wish to make Da proud.”

“Oh, Kyle.” She moved over to place her hand on her son’s shoulder. “Love is not frivolous. ‘Tis as necessary for a lad as it is for a lass. Someday you’ll see. You and Lily were meant for each other. Even your da would wish for you to marry. Why can you not see that?”

“Mama?” He leaned down to kiss her cheek. “I must go. Send someone to fetch me if you need aught.”

And he headed out the door. Under no circumstances could he discuss his love for Lily with his mother. It was just too painful.

***

Lily followed her aunt and cousins out to the archery field on Tilly’s back. Once outside the stables, her smile returned. The day was so glorious, how could she not smile? She’d force herself to forget that bothersome Kyle and enjoy herself. The sun shone, just as her Sunshine…or Tilly did.

Once they reached the field, Lily hopped down and ran over to join her aunt at the archery chest, which was kept stocked at all times for anyone who wished to practice. As soon as she opened the chest, Lily’s gaze shot to one thing inside—ribbons. “Auntie, where did you find all those beautiful ribbons?”

“I use them on my arrows sometimes. It helps me to see at a distance which one is which. Logan purchased them for me at the fair in Edinburgh. Do you like them?”

Lily’s hand caressed the deep blue velvet ribbon on top. “Aye, ‘tis most lovely.”

“Lily, you may take them out if you’d like.” Gwyneth patted her hand.