The Guardian

“Good luck with that,” Ilysa said. “I must get back now. I’ve got Hugh believing no one else can make sure there’s plenty of food and ale on the table.”

When she had gone, Ian said, “Perhaps ye should have asked me before inviting someone to live in my house.”

“I didn’t see you finding anyone to help your poor mother and wife.” Alex shrugged. “But if ye don’t care that they are working their fingers to the bone, well…”

At the mention of Sileas, Ian swept his gaze over the few women still in the churchyard.

“Have ye seen Sileas?” he asked, thinking she must have gone back into the church.

“She left with Gordan”—Alex cleared his throat—“for their usual Sunday stroll.”

“Their what?”

“Don’t fret—she said they’ll meet us at the house,” Alex said. “Ye see, Gordan’s joining the family for Sunday dinner. As usual.”

“What does Sileas think she’s doing?” Ian felt as if his head was exploding.

“Strolling, I suppose,” Alex said.

Ian wanted to smash his fist into the middle of Alex’s grinning face.

That sneaking Gordan. Ian found his brother by their horses and grabbed him by the arm. “Tell me what’s been going on with Sileas and Gordan.”

Niall jerked his arm away. “Gordan’s been protecting her, just as we all have, in your absence.”

With that, Niall swung up onto his horse, slapped the reins, and galloped off. Ian blew out his breath and wondered what had happened to the young lad who used to look up to him. He would have to have a talk with his brother. But first, he would deal with Sileas.

On the ride back to the house, he ignored Alex’s attempts at conversation. He was in no mood for it. He kept his eyes out for Gordan and Sileas, but he did not catch a glimpse of the wandering pair all the way back.

If they were not on the path, where in the hell were they?

CHAPTER 8

When they reached the house, Alex went to the byre, saying he preferred the beasts’ company to Ian’s. Niall must have taken himself off somewhere as well, for there was no sign of him. Ian found his mother alone, stitching by the fire.

“How’s da?” he asked.

“Sleeping.”

Ian sat with his arms folded, waiting for Sileas and Gordan.

His mother looked up from her sewing. “What’s troubling ye, son?”

“I am trying to understand why my family appears to have encouraged Sileas to go off alone with Gordan every chance she gets,” he said, grinding out the words. “Ye know how that looks, mam. Sil didn’t have a mother who taught her that sort of behavior could earn her a reputation, but ye know better. Why did ye not tell her?”

His mother arched her eyebrows. “If ye were concerned about your wife’s behavior, perhaps ye should have come home sooner.”

“I didn’t know she was traipsing all over the Isle of Skye with Gordan Graumach MacDonald.” And traipsing had damned well better be all she was doing with Gordan.

“Ach, men,” his mother murmured and went back to her stitching. “What ye should be doing is thanking Gordan for looking after her.”

“I should be thanking him?” Ian said, working hard not to shout at his mother.

“Ye can’t expect her to stay cooped up in the house all the time,” his mother said. “Your da never let her go out alone for fear her MacKinnon relations would try to snatch her. Since he was injured and the other men quit working our lands, Gordan has been kind enough to accompany Sileas when your brother can’t.”

“Hmmph,” Ian snorted. “Gordan has something in mind other than protecting her.”

“Gordan is an honorable man,” his mother said. “If ye don’t want Sileas for a wife, I’d be glad for her to have Gordan as her husband.”

Ian sat up straight. “As her husband, ye say?”

“Keep your voice down. You’ll wake your da.”

Before Ian came home, his plan had been to see Sileas settled with a good man. But Gordan? He would never do for her.

“It would be a good match for our Sileas—except for Gordan’s mother, of course.” She clucked her tongue. “That woman will be a trial to any daughter-in-law.”

“It would be a good match—except for his mother?” Ian bit out. He couldn’t believe he was hearing this.

“Aye, it would,” his mother, breaking the thread with her teeth. “Losing Sileas would be like losing my baby daughters all over again. If she isn’t going to remain part of our family, then it would please me to have her close by.”

“What makes ye think I’ll let Gordan have her?”

His mother set her sewing aside and gave him a soft smile. “If ye want Sileas as your wife, don’t ye think it’s time ye told her?”