Morven laughed. “She hasnae let my ears rest since I arrived in the keep, chattering away about her desire tae see ye.”
“I wouldnae deny that I miss my brother. Nae everyone carries yer heart of stone.” She turned and grabbed Darach’s arm. “Come, let us proceed intae the house.”
Darach smiled as Lorna led them through the halls into the study. She dismissed the guards and closed the door. First, she poured Darach a goblet of ale and handed it to him. He watched her while she leaned on their father’s old table.
Lorna was the one who’d led the clan in the absence of both brothers. At times, Darach believed she was better suited to lead than either of them. She was quite the diplomat, but she had some bite too. Her wits and beauty were qualities that ensured Lorna shone like the stars wherever she was.
“Where did the lass come from?” She asked the question with a frown. “She refused to tell me her name.”
Upon hearing her question, Morven crossed his legs on the ottoman before him, his eyes focused on Darach’s face.
* * *
Jane gazed up in exhaustion at the looming keep as the company rode through the final stone skirt and into the courtyard. Thoughts of escape disintegrated slowly as she stared helplessly at the massive walls. The castle was impenetrable. Warriors were everywhere, patrolling every exit with diligence.
The soldier she rode with pulled up, and she had to fight to stay in the saddle. The leader of the group that had brought her rode up beside them and gently helped her dismount, careful that she did not land on her injured foot.
Everyone around them seemed to have ceased moving. They stopped to take stock of the new arrival. Jane could see a few of the women staring curiously at her from a distance and whispering behind their hands.
She knew she must look terrible, but she was more concerned with what Laird Robertson would decide to do with her. God help her if her father didn't consider her valuable enough to agree to the exchange of prisoners.
She decided to push that out of her mind and worry about it later. She was too tired, and the journey had taken the better part of two days. Darach’s consideration of her condition and their stopping frequently to rest had made the journey even longer. Now that they had arrived at Laird Robertson's stronghold, fear fluttered in her throat. She was finally in his full grasp and he would no longer need to be considerate. Here in his castle, behind his walls and warriors, Jane had no protection.
The prophecy hovered over her head—making its presence palpable.
What if Darach and his advisor had been in this together? What if he really had been after something her father possessed? Then he would probably demand answers, and she would be obligated to give them to him.
But when she wouldn’t, he might not be as friendly.
A young woman stepped out of the keep, and Jane watched with surprise as the warriors bowed in reverence. Who was this woman, Darach Robertson's wife?
Surprisingly, the thoughts of the laird having someone sent ripples of discomfort through her. She quickly pushed away the thought and focused instead on the woman approaching.
She looked to be around her own age, with long, dark golden hair. When she came closer, Jane could see her eyes were grey and mysterious. The woman smiled and hurried over to greet her.
“Good afternoon. Ye’re the lady my dear brother brought with him. I welcome ye tae our keep.”
Darach has a sister?Jane nodded and said nothing in response.
“Are ye feeling well? I heard ye hurt yer leg.”
Jane shrugged but still refused to say a word.
The lass shook her head. “Pardon me and my silly questions. Of course, ye need yer rest. Ye look fair tae dropping already, and I doubt my brother had the sense tae know the limits of a woman. Come in with me.”
She led the way into the halls of the keep.
“My name is Lorna, by the way. By what name do ye call yerself?”
Jane flushed immediately, embarrassed. She debated whether she should tell the lass her real name or make one up to give her some time to process what had happened. Lorna would start asking questions if she realized she was a laird's daughter, wouldn't she?
“I believe ye would’ve learned that from the people who told ye about my leg,” she murmured in response.
Lorna’s eyebrows shot up. To her credit, she didn’t react any further. She simply reached for Jane’s arm and tucked it into hers.
“None of them kent, and since I am yet tae meet my brother soon, I truly wished tae hear it from ye, my lady. If ye’d rather nae, then let’s take ye intae the kitchens tae find something the maids can feed ye. Ye look like the wind could knock ye over.”
Feeling relieved that Lorna hadn’t pressed her too far with questions she wasn’t ready to answer, she followed the girl in the direction of the kitchens. A woman stood around the fire in the pit, heavyset, with her grey hair tied at the nape of her neck. Some of the strands escaped on all sides and flew about her face, giving her a wild look. She honed a sharp eye on Jane, and Jane felt her skin tingle under her scrutiny.