Highland Refugee by Aileen Adams

Author:Aileen Adams [Adams, Aileen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: AilAd

12

The moon rose higher than the walls of the castle, casting a silver light on the grounds. Duncan sucked in a deep breath as he paced the halls waiting for Arya to arrive. The lovely smell of roasted beef caused his stomach to rumble.

“That smells great.”

He twisted his head around to find Ewan entering the hallway.

“Ye would come running when food is around.” He laughed as he greeted Ewan.

“Ye look dashing,” Ewan said, slapping his hand on his shoulder. “What is the occasion?”

“Arya is joining me for dinner,” he said.

“Is she now?” Ewan shook his head as he glanced over at him. “And ye decided to wear that? Are ye trying to get her to run away?”

“What is wrong with this?” he asked, glancing at his formal shirt tucked neatly into his kilt. His socks rose to his knees, and his polished shoes reflected the light of the moon.

“Ye look pompous,” Ewan teased.

“And what would ye have worn?”

“Something less formal. After all, ’tis nae like ye are trying to woo her, are ye?”

“Of course nae,” he said. “But there is naught wrong with looking proper.”

“Arya is nae like the other lasses,” Ewan said. “She does nae care about appearances.”

“And ye ken this how?” His eyebrow rose. “Ye have spoken with the lass as many times as I have.”

“Aye, and clearly, I was the only one to listen to her,” Ewan said. “This proves ye are trying too hard to impress her.” His jaw dropped. “Wait… Do ye like her?”

“Of course nae, she is a means to an end.” He dismissed Ewan’s remarks with a wave.

“And what end is that?” Arya asked, startling Duncan and Ewan.

The brothers turned quickly to find her standing in the shadows. Her dress bloomed out, revealing her tiny waist as it hugged her bosom. His throat went dry.

“Ye look stunning,” Ewan said, quickly rushing to her side. He lowered his head and grabbed her hand in his to draw to his lips.

“Thank ye,” she said. “But that does nae answer me question. What means am I to ye?” She glared at Duncan before her eyes settled on Ewan. “Ye said that I am a means to an end, what end?”

“I am afraid ye may have stepped into the middle of our conversation,” Duncan said, finding his voice.

“Donnae lie. I ken what I heard.” She took a step closer to him as Ewan stepped out of her way.

“’Tis naught,” Duncan said.

She shifted her attention to Ewan. “Ye were right.”

“I did nae want to be,” Ewan answered.

Duncan felt as though he had been slapped. Mayhap even stabbed in the back by his brother. “What is this? Are ye conspiring against me, brother?”

“She had a right to ken what is transpiring,” Ewan answered.

“Arya.” He stepped closer to her as he studied her. The moonlight drifted over her hair, giving it a silver tint. For a brief moment, she looked as if she were a fae creature.

“What me brother has failed to tell ye,” Ewan said, stepping between Arya and Duncan, “is that he is searching for a bride.

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