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Mari giggled behind her hand, and Connor gave a snort of laughter. “Give it to her good, my lady.”
“I plan on it, Connor. Now do either of you know where I might find her ladyship?”
“Mrs. Mac was grumblin’ as to how she had to show her the gardens. They’d be to the back of the keep, my lady,”
Connor informed her.
Ali descended the stairs, avoiding the servants who scurried about as best she could, afraid someone would question her as to what she was about. She bowed her head and hurried past Rory’s study. As she did, she heard voices raised in anger, and recognized two of them as Rory’s and Cyril’s.
pied. It was time Moira MacLean got what was coming to her. Mrs. Mac had been right from the beginning. Men didn’t see clearly when it came to the woman. Hurrying out the doors of the keep, she spotted Fergus. Trying not to attract his attention, Ali lowered her head and strode to the opposite side of the castle.
“Aileanna.” Fergus waved to her from across the court
yard. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?”
“The gardens.” She smiled and kept on walking.
“Hold up there, lass,” he said, closing the distance be
tween them. “Aileanna, mayhap it would be best if you were to see the gardens at another time.” He took hold of her elbow and turned her back toward the entrance of the castle.
She shook his hand off. “Fergus, don’t be sil y. It’s a beautiful day to visit the gardens. I hoped to find a smal patch where I could add some of the plants I’d read about in the book Iain lent me. Actual y he read it to me, too. Re member, the one the physician from Edinburgh wrote?
Where I found the herbs to drug Rory—wel , not drug him, but you know what I mean.” She waved her hand. 174
He narrowed his gaze and crossed his arms. “What are you up to?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yer ramblin’, lass. You do it when you have somethin’
to hide. Now tel me.”
“No, and you can’t stop me.
With a cry of outrage, Ali pounded on his back.
“Stop yer caterwaulin’. You were goin’ to make trouble with Moira MacLean, and doona’ deny it. I can see it on yer face. And if you do, Rory wil have yer head.”
She kicked her feet. “You don’t understand.” He whacked her soundly on her bottom. “Ouch, Fergus, that hurt,” she cried.
“Then stop yer kickin’, lass. Those parts I’m a mite fond of,” he said as he pushed open the doors to the keep.
“Bloody hel , Fergus. What’s goin’ on here? Put Aileanna down.”
“Nay, I think it would be best if I lock her in her room and let her cool down fer a wee bit.”
“Like hel you wil . Put me down.” She slapped him on the back and gave him another kick for good measure.
“Eh, Fergus, watch yer bol ocks, mon.” Someone laughed, and Ali was certain it was Rory’s cousin.
“That’s enough.” Big hands locked on her waist and hauled her from Fergus’s shoulder to set her upright. “Now one of you wil tel me what is the meanin’ of this?”
Ali glared at Fergus, who glared right back at her. She pushed the hair from her face with an angry swipe of her hand Ali glared at Fergus, who glared right back at her. She pushed the hair from her face with an angry swipe of her hand and met Rory’s unamused gaze.
“I’m waitin’.” He crossed his arms over his broad chest,
LORD OF THE ISLES
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showing no sign of what had passed between them the night before.
“Ali, what happened? You have blood on yer gown?”
Iain asked, concern in his voice as he pushed past his brother.
Rory’s gaze racked over her as though he searched for a wound.
“It’s not mine.” She stepped around Iain. “You made me a promise, Rory, and I’m holding you to it. I have a com plaint against Moira that must be addressed.”
