Ella rolled over in the soft bed and yawned. Stretching her arms high above her head, she relished in the feeling of waking up slowly. Fully rested for the first time in recent memory, she slowly opened her eyes. Looking at the room around her, her breath quickened. Where am I? she thought. Panic threatened to overcome her, until she noticed the small familiar table under the window. Taking three deep breaths, she remembered she was in a bedchamber in Lucas’s clan home. The vase with the flowers that Kelly had placed the evening before was still there, as was a full plate of food, chilled by being left so close to the window overnight it seemed. But someone had brought her a plate, that was a kindness. She relaxed a bit. Thinking of Lucas, and remembering her promise to tell him she was willing to leave him for France made her sad. She wished it could be different. Perhaps had they been from similar backgrounds or met at a different time, she thought. “Oh well,” she said to the empty room. “Best let’s make the best of it.” If she only had a small amount of time left, she would get up and explore the keep. Maybe she could ask Kelly for some writing tools and she could start writing letters to Amelia. She wouldn’t be able to have them sent of course, until she was safely in France. But she wanted to record every moment she was in Cadney so she would be sure to remember every detail.

There was a knock at the chamber door, and before Ella could answer Kelly came in alongside a young woman with unruly fire-red hair. They were holding a pile of dresses and what looked to Ella like under garments. The younger girl looked like she had been running around the stables, with pieces of hay sticking up in every which direction, but as soon as Ella saw her emerald eyes, she knew it must be Milly, Lucas’s younger sister.

“Good morning!” she said.

“Och, Ella, did we wake ye?” Kelly asked upon seeing Ella still in bed.

“No not at all, I was simply delaying the inevitable. It was so nice sleeping in a real bed for the first time in what feels like forever. It’s heavenly,” Ella replied. She was so grateful for the clothes and the company she couldn’t help but show the women her brightest smile.

“I’m called Milly,” the younger girl said as she flopped down on the end of the bed opposite Ella. Ella sat up and extended her hand in greeting.

“I’m Ella, and it’s a pleasure to meet you Milly,” she replied.

“I’ve never spoken to an’ English woman before. Ye talk so lovely,” Milly said.

“I think you talk lovely,” Ella replied, and all three women laughed.

“’Tis it true ye escaped a bastard English Commander who was gonna force ye tae be his bride?” Milly asked. Kelly shot her a warning look and swatted at her, trying to avoid embarrassing Ella.

“I did, but barely. I’m afraid he is still trying to steal me back. In fact, were it not for your brother, I’d most likely be his prisoner already,” she told the girl.

“How excitin’. Will ye not tell me the whole of the story?” Milly asked. Ella didn’t mind. She figured word would get out soon enough, and Milly seemed so sweet and kind. She reminded Ella of Amelia. Unafraid and eyes filled with adventure. She got up and broke off a piece of the bread from the food tray, and brought it back to the bed, sitting next to the girl.

“I’ll tell you all of it while I dress, if you agree to show me around the castle and the keep. I’ve never been a guest of a real-life highland clan before. I’d love to see everything,” she said.

“Och! That’s why we came up tae get ye!” Milly said. “We brought ye a bunch of me old dresses. Kelly picked out th’ colors she thought would flatter ye best. I like ye in something mayhap blue or violet. Either would look beautiful with yer blonde hair.”

Ella was flattered. She looked through the dresses and selected a modest blue one with light lavender piping. Milly nodded eagerly in agreement with her choice and while she dressed, with Kelly’s help she told Milly the story of Carlisle Castle, England and the horrid Commander Evans. She told it as if she were telling it to Amelia, and Milly listened with rapt attention. Ella couldn’t blame the girl for being intrigued. It sounded like a fantasy story hearing herself as she described the barn and how she heard Lucas moaning in the night and thought he was a ghost. Then she discussed the herbs she used and her concern about Lucas’s fever. Milly’s sharp intake of breath when she realized how close her brother had come to dying warmed Ella’s heart. Then when she told them how Fergus had heard the English soldiers were looking for her and they had to hide in the hay, and then their escape, their argument about Lucas sending her to France, and how she had no choice in killing the soldier to save his life. She left out the details of the intimate moments she shared with Lucas. Those were her own, memories she would keep sacred for the long nights in France when she had no one. She would remember her times with Lucas and trust that she once knew love. Milly clutched her chest and Ella was sure the girl would faint dead away from the shock of it all.

“I cannae believe ye survived all of that,” Milly said in awe. She took Ella’s hand in her own. “I’m so glad ye are here. Ye are safe here, finally. I dinnae want ye to go tae France, and I will be sure to tell my brother ye need tae stay here with us!” she said. Tears welled in Ella’s eyes. She knew Milly meant what she said. It warmed her heart to be so readily accepted by Lucas’s kin.

“Alright, if ye two are done with yer stories and such, Milly, I think we owe the lass a tour of the keep?” Kelly interrupted, wiping a tear from her own eye as Ella wiped hers. She stood up smoothed the wrinkles from sitting that had formed in the pretty blue dress.

“I think that sounds wonderful. After such a long story a bit of fresh air will do us all some good I think,” Ella agreed.

A light mist covered the keep and surrounding meadows a mid-morning glow, as the women took Ella throughout the grounds. Kelly and Milly were lovely company. The three women became fast friends. Ella didn’t mind when Milly nagged her a bit about being stuffy and English. And in turn Milly gave a hearty laugh when Ella called her a May fly for the excited way she flitted excitedly around when she spoke.

Kelly showed her where the larders were that stored the food for the long winter months, and the chicken coops, and even taught Ella the proper way to gather eggs from the stingy hens. Ella pointed out uses for various herbs in the garden beyond flavoring soups and stews. The other women were enthralled by her vast knowledge of items and their uses in healing.

They were finishing their walk through the garden when Lucas and Magnus came striding toward them from the practice fields where the men readied themselves for battle. They were both filthy, covered in mud, and Kelly gave a proper shout when Magnus grabbed her and twirled her around planting a dramatic mud-covered kiss on her brow. Ella was amazed at the outward show of love between the two. She couldn’t remember a time, if ever, that she witnessed her father display such affection for her mother. Lucas had been right, highland men truly did worship their women.

“Och, ye ken ye love it,” he said, giving Ella and Milly a comical wink.

“I love no such thing Magnus MacGille,” she replied crossing her arms and doing her best to look angry at her husband. Ella looked at Lucas and was pleased to see he was smiling at the display. They all laughed.

“Ella ye look quite braw this morning. That dress looks lovely on ye. We missed ye last night at th’ evenin’ meal,” Lucas said. He had missed her presence last night? She had thought he would have appreciated the time alone with his clan to reconnect. Ella was surprised to find his compliment and his admission of missing her caused her heart to skip a beat.

“Thank you Lucas. Are your bandages holding up?” she replied, smiling.

“Aye, they are. I feel braw, thank ye. Although, I think I’d prefer tae stay here with ye, lass,” Lucas said, eyeing Ella intently as if it had been ages since they had last seen each other. Ella felt her cheeks redden. It was as if the others had faded clear away and it was only she and Lucas standing there. “But alas, Magnus and I have a council meeting then it’s straight tae the baths for both of us.”

“Or a dip in the cold loch,” Magnus said with a devilish grin. Lucas shot him a deadly look and Kelly laughed. Ella wasn’t sure what was so funny, but Lucas was well and that was all that mattered to her. “Ladies do ye mind if I take me wife away from ye before th’ meetin’?”

“Not at all,” Ella said as Milly nodded in eager agreement.

“I’ll come and find ye after the meeting and my bath,” Lucas said to Ella. “We have some important matters tae discuss.” Ella’s stomach flipped. She knew exactly what Lucas wanted to speak with her about. She was afraid of her response to him and catching the emotion in his deep emerald eyes, she was glad they wouldn’t have an audience.

“I’ll see you then,” she said, quietly.

“Aye,” came his response over his shoulder, as he, Magnus, and Kelly headed in the direction of the main hall.

As soon as the trio was out of sight, Milly turned sharply on Ella. “Are ye in love with me brother then, lass?” she asked earnestly.

Ella was completely taken aback by her blunt question, and tears began to pool in her eyes.

“Dinnae bother tryin’ tae deny it,” Milly said, grabbing both of Ella’s hands in her own. “I can see it in yer eyes when ye think no one is watchin’.”

“Milly, it’s not that simple,” Ella said. Was she so transparent that a girl she’d only met that morning could tell her true feelings with just a look?

“I dinnae understand, I see th’ way he looks at ye as well, can ye not be happy?” Milly asked. Ella wished beyond anything else that she could be happy and see the world as Milly did. Milly was so confident and optimistic. Before she’d been forced to leave England and the safety of everything she had ever known, it would have been exactly how she saw things as well, and she hoped that Amelia was still able to experience the world with such innocence. She squeezed Milly’s hands tightly. If only what she said were true. If only Lucas did feel the same.

“Lucas will be laird, it is his birthright and he’ll be a good laird for your clan. How can I get in the way of that? He needs a highland wife. Not an English woman,” she said sadly. “My being at Cadney only puts all of that, and all of you at risk, Evans will not stop until he has me, and he will bring a fight to your door.”

“But we will fight for ye, especially if ye were one of our own. Lucas would fight ‘til the death for ye,” Milly pleaded.

“I know, Milly, I know. But ‘tisn’t fair of me to ask it,” Ella replied.

“Milly! Milly!” Young Mattie came running into the garden. Ella was relieved for the interruption. “Mrs. Thomas sent me for ye, she needs help in th’ kitchen. I looked everywhere!” he exclaimed. “She said ‘tis urgent.” He looked up and saw the two women locked in intense conversation and gave Ella a weak smile.

Ella released Milly’s hands, “You should go, I’ll be fine.”

“Are ye sure?” Milly asked. Ella appreciated that she was unwilling to leave her without reassurance, but she wanted to go back to her room and freshen her dress and hair before speaking with Lucas. She was confident she knew the way.

“Aye,” she said giving Mattie a wink using the now familiar Scottish reassurance. “I’ll be fine. Go on, you mustn’t keep Mrs. Thomas waiting.”

Ella followed Mattie and Milly into the keep through the kitchens. The sweet smells of baking breads and puddings filled the air. Ella found that she was once again looking forward to her first evening meal in the keep. She broke off from the pair as they went in search for Mrs. Thomas and headed down a long dark corridor certain it would lead her back to her room.

As she walked up stairs and through corridors, she was impressed by the differences between Cadney Keep and Carlisle Castle. Carlisle was always dark and foreboding no matter the time of day. While Cadney had multiple windows carved into the stone, and light poured in from multiple places giving the keep an open, airy feeling. She found herself in the main hall and was amazed to see how large it was. The multiple long tables throughout looked to be able to fit the entire clan at one time, and comfortably with the two giant hearths already glowing with fire, even in the early afternoon. From the plaids she wore on their journey, and the coverings on her bed, she recognized the MacGille colors hung from large banners from the ceiling. It looked to Ella like a room that had seen much joy and much pain.

She took note of the multiple corridors that led out of the room and realized her earlier confidence with Milly about finding her way back to her bed chamber might have been impulsive. She had no idea in which direction she should head.

“Well you’ve come this far,” she said to herself, choosing a random hallway. Voices carried from further down the hallway, and she thought one sounded very much like Lucas. Deciding to head in that direction, if she came upon Lucas he could point her in the right direction. He would most likely laugh at her for getting lost in the keep, but she wouldn’t mind. If the last few months had taught her anything about herself, it was that she had a horrible sense of direction.

As she drew closer to the voices, she realized they were coming from a closed door at the end of the corridor. She had come upon the council meeting that Lucas and Magnus mentioned earlier. A horrible sense came over her that she had been in this situation before. Flashing back to that dreadful night when she heard her father gambling her rights away, a cool sheen of sweat covered her brow. She should turn back, no good could come from eavesdropping.

“”Tis not safe here for the lass, nor are our men and families as long as Commander Evans lives,” she heard Lucas say. There was no way she would be able to turn back now, she needed to hear what they were saying about her. She leaned closer against the cold stone, listening intently to men’s discussion.

“Aye, Aye, but there are other ways Laird,” the voice sounded weary and tired, Ella surmised it must belong to an elder. He had called Lucas laird, so they must have already voted. Pride welled up in Ella’s chest. She was glad he had accepted his role as the leader of the clan.

“For the life of me, Calum, I cannae think of any.”

“Laird, I think if ye care what happens th’ lass, ye can offer her the protection of the clan,” the elder said. Ella heard murmurs of agreement. She wondered how large the council was. How many families of the clan were represented?

“Calum, ‘tis why I wish tae send her tae the MacGilles in France. She’ll be safe from the bastard there.”

“Will she? Can th’ Englishman nae travel across th’ channel? Does she wish tae go?” This time Ella recognized Magnus’s voice. Of course she didn’t want to go. Oh, how she wished she could speak for herself in such matters. She shut her eyes tight to hold back tears of anger. These men, most of whom had never laid eyes on her were systematically and coldly discussing her fate. It was terribly unfair.

“She doesnae, but in time she’ll come around tae it,” Lucas said. Why was he arguing so hard against her staying? It was becoming clear to Ella that the feelings she had for Lucas were only her own. If he shared them, would he be fighting so hard to send her away?

“And if th’ clan approves and she stays?” Magnus asked.

“I cannae ask the clan tae fight for the lass. It doesnae matter what I want, nor what she may want. As a clan we have suffered enough loss at th’ hands of these men,” Did Ella detect a note of sadness in Lucas’s voice. She’d never meant for her presence to cause so much turmoil for him or the clan. She was torn between her anger at being discussed in such a way and her concern at the need to discuss her. This truly was an impossible situation.

“Yer arguments against, are nae strong enough, Laird. Ye have travelled well with th’ lass, and by yer own word she is good and kind, not tae mention ye wouldnae be standing here afore us, were it not for her skills in healin’ ye. Time for debate is over. As an elder of this council, I find it in me power tae order the marriage decree,” the older man shouted, and what sounded like wood hitting stone followed his words giving them a finality that made Ella’s head spin. Marriage, to Lucas. A murmur of agreement went through the room. Ella held her breath. Another marriage order instead of a proposal.

“Marriage decree!?” Lucas shouted.

Ella’s vision began to narrow, and blood rushed her ears. She didn’t hear anything further of the men’s conversation. She should have been elated that Lucas would be able to marry her, and it sounded like the clan approved. Instead, she felt an overwhelming urge to flee. Once again Ella found herself at the mercy of men she didn’t know. Having no choice of her own in the matter.

Did she want Lucas to marry her because it was his choice or because he felt obligation, to her or to his clan council. She once again found herself listening in on a group of men more intent to treat her like chattel, property. There was no choice for a woman on her own in this world. Anger welled inside her. The door to the room opened and the voices grew louder. The meeting was ending. Nervous to get caught eavesdropping and too enraged to face Lucas, Ella needed to get out of there fast.

Accepting the title and role of Laird of Clan MacGille, was the easiest part of the council meeting. It was his concern for Ella and her well-being that had Lucas dreading his appearance before the council. It was the MacGille way for the laird to argue all of the sides of an issue that faces the whole clan. A laird could not be seen as driving the clan into danger based on his own wills or desires. What was best for the laird was what was best for the entire clan. He had to argue all of the sides of an argument before making a decision, even though ultimately the decision was the laird’s and the laird’s alone. When the oldest and wisest member of the council challenged him by declaring a marriage decree, Lucas felt a white-hot rage.

He knew it was true when old Calum told him his arguments were weak, but he was still forced to make them. He would not allow his people to fight to the death against Evans and his men unless they knew what they were agreeing to. But he would be damned if he would allow anyone to determine Ella’s fate without the lass being present to speak for or defend herself.

“Calum ‘tis not in yer power to make such a suggestion,” Lucas said, willing his voice to keep an even keel. “I’ll not force a marriage upon the lass. Ye made me Laird, and I accepted. I honor my duty by this clan, and if the council agrees, Ella Pearson will have our protection, without force or condition.” he shouted back. The men in the room, including Calum and Magnus smiled in knowing agreement. Hands began to clap. It was agreed. The new Laird had spoken, and the clan agreed. Lucas began to feel as if he had been played by his two most trusted advisors.

The meeting broke and he found himself trying to make his way through the men and their well wishes and congratulations for their new Laird, in order to get to the door. He needed to go to Ella, tell her she didn’t have to go to France, and the clan would protect her from Evans. He imagined her angelic look of relief. He also looked forward to breaking down the last barrier that stayed between them. He knew she still held onto hurt at his suggestion of being sent to France. He wanted her to know he didn’t want her to go.

Familiar blue skirts rushed away from the door to the council room and around the corner, heading in the direction of the main hall. He would recognize the move of the lass’s body anywhere. It was Ella. What the devil was she doing in the council corridor? She must’ve heard the talk that concerned her, and the talk of marriage. Dammit, he thought. She must’ve only heard part. Of course, she would be upset. It would’ve been easy for her to assume she was the victim of yet another forced marriage plot, when the reality couldn’t have been further from the truth. If she heard his anger, she would think he didn’t want to marry her; or worse, if she didn’t hear his anger she would think him no better than her father and Evans for choosing her fate for her. Realization dawned on him as he made his way after her. He wasn’t opposed to Calum’s suggestion of marriage to Ella. He wanted to marry her more than he wanted to draw breath, but he wanted her to want to marry him of her own choice. Hopefully it wasn’t too late.