The Secret of Clan Duncraig by Cecelia Mecca
Author:Cecelia Mecca [Mecca, Cecelia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Altiora Press
Published: 2023-09-30T16:00:00+00:00
16
Chapter
âWhy do we remain in the hall when nearly all have taken their beds? It has been a long day, brother.â
Though not the first time Niall had asked Kieran that question, this time, there was no way to avoid it. Heâd thought of half-truths to avoid telling him about Maisie, but there had never been lies between them.
With one exception.
Though theyâd not spoken about it again, and Kieran had forgiven his brother, having learned more about what happened, that heâd not told him immediately still stung. But Kieran could also acknowledge he likely should have stayed long enough to speak to his brother before leaving.
Nay, running away.
But it was a jarring thing, to learn your family had been lying to you and that you were, in fact, related to the very clan you had been taught to hate.
In response, he looked at Maisie. She was wiping tables, doing work she could have easily asked one of the serving maids to do. Unlike some, however, sheâd not been raised with coin in hand, the inn passing down to her from wealthy relatives. And it was evident.
âWho is she?â
âThe innkeeper,â Kieran said, taking a final sip of ale. Heâd drunk enough that night and was ready to retire. Nay, ready to be with Maisie in whatever way she wished. If naught else, he would speak to her about last eve.
âI know as much already. Brother?â
Heâd cherish that word now more than ever before. âAye?â
Niall looked at him in a very familiar way. It was the same look his brother gave him if he suggested finishing their training for the day.
âShe is the reason we are not staying in Aberdale.â
âAhhhh.â Niall looked back and forth between him and Maisie. âHow did I not see it before?â
Kieran shrugged. âLikely because you were not looking.â
âShe is quite beautiful.â
âAnd capable. Her husband was much older, an arranged marriage that should not have been. A bastard, by his reputation. And from Maisieâs accounts. She took over the running of this inn from him and has done quite well.â
âIt seems she has,â Niall said. âNo rooms available. And the pigeon pie. . . I would return for it alone.â
ââTis hers,â Kieran said. âOnly recently she trained the cook to make them.â
His brotherâs eyes narrowed. âYou care for her?â
There was no reason to deny it. âI do.â
âHave you. . .â
Niall did not have to finish. His knowing expression was clear enough.
âNay,â he said. âIâve no wish for a wife. And she, none for a husband.â
âYet you care for her. And clearly desire the woman.â
âI cannae deny either.â
âHmm. If âtwas desire alone, I could advise you easily. But the first . . . âtis a more complicated matter.â
âAnd I fear will become more so. You can take the bed,â Kieran said as the last patron retired. It would not be long now until Maisie did the same. âI will speak to Maisie first and am unsure how long âtwill be before joining you.â
âSpeak to her?â
âAye.â
âI can think of only one matter that needs addressing at such an hour.
Download
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.
A Dowry of Blood by S. T. Gibson(757)
The Count of Monte Cristo, the Three Musketeers, and the Man in the Iron Mask by Alexandre Dumas(754)
The Secret Service of Tea and Treason by India Holton(720)
Lynn Kurland - Macleod Family 07 by My Heart Stood Still(626)
Highland Passions by Madeline Martin(619)
Jewels - No Greater Love - Zoya by Danielle Steel(616)
Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt: The epic conclusion to the Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley & Harry Whittaker(614)
Once Upon a Winter's Eve: A Spindle Cove Novella by Dare Tessa(599)
The MacCarrick Brothers eBox Set by Kresley Cole(592)
The Eye of the Falcon: the al-Andalus trilogy, #2 by JOAN FALLON(547)
The Iron Edge by Lexa Luthor(545)
Forever Your Rogue by Erin Langston(500)
The Perfect Christmas_With Added Bonus Material by Annabelle Anders(497)
Lady Marianne and the Captain by Isabella Thorne(495)
French Leave by Sherri Cobb South(477)
Daisy's Prince Charming by Ruth Ann Nordin(473)
Whom Shall I Kiss... An Earl, A Marquess, or A Duke?: A Steamy Historical Regency Romance (Tricking the Scoundrels Series Book 1) by Laura A. Barnes(455)
Daughters of the Glen 02 - Highland Guardian . txt by Melissa Mayhue(435)
Waltzing with the Wallflower Trilogy by Leah Sanders(425)
