Willow was frozen, and she regretted ever taking Rodrick up on his offer.
“But ye daenae have yer way, brother. Now, I’ll see ye sit down and never speak in such a manner again.” Keegan’s voice soared through the air with the accuracy and deadly intent of an arrow, and he turned from glaring at his brother to gazing out over the room. “Whoever dares harm the lady will face me swift wrath. We have given our word as a clan to leave the woman untouched for the duration of her stay until the exchange. I willnae be made a liar and a fraud because anyone here cannae manage to contain themselves.”
The eyes that had been pinned to her since her arrival in the room looked away, turning their hatred down to the tables infront of them. Willow did not know if she was grateful for Keegan’s actions or more nervous than before. It was likely that no one would go against the direct order of their laird, but she knew that this “unique” treatment would only draw their ire more.
No one spoke, the tension of the moment balanced on the edge of a knife, and then Damon pushed past his chair, knocking it to the floor, and stormed out of the room. He said nothing, but as he passed, his glare found Willow, and she shivered under the weight of his animosity toward her.
“Return to yer meals,” the laird ordered before stepping out from the table and circling it to approach her.
He stopped before Rodrick, keeping Willow just to the side of his forward-facing stare.
“Thank ye for doing as commanded, Rodrick. I am sure ye’re hungry. Ye can take up Damon’s place.”
Rodrick nodded but didn’t make a move to leave just yet. As Willow waited for the laird to finally address her, she raised her brows as he turned in her direction.
“I wish to speak with ye about yer brother.”
Willow was to answer him in the affirmative, agreeing to answer any and all questions he might have in that thick skull of his. Butshe chewed on the inside of her cheek, disregarding the fact that what she was doing was childish and dangerous.
I daenae care. I am still too angry with him.
Worse, Willow still hated the way Keegan’s proximity affected her. It was like her skin hummed and warmed at just the sight of him, and as his stare flicked to her lips and back up, she felt them burn under his brief appraisal.
She did not respond to him, keeping her mouth sealed shut. Keegan’s brows rose, then his eyes squinted just a hair.
“I am sure ye’ve heard me, lass. I will speak to ye about yer brother.”
Willow held firm, unspeaking. To her right, Rodrick’s strained chuckle whispered through the air. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, seeing the man-at-arms struggling to keep in his laughter and failing miserably.
Keegan snapped his attention to the man and glared full-blown swords in his direction. Were the laird’s expression enough to kill, Rodrick would have dropped dead in moments. Funnily enough, Rodrick only laughed harder when Keegan eyed him, and Willow could see the vein throbbing in the laird’s temple.
After a moment of recovery, Rodrick looked to Willow with a smile. “The laird would like to speak to ye about yer brother.”
“I heard.”
Exasperation lit up Keegan’s face, and his brows shot to his hairline. Willow contained the smirk that was trying to break free and turned back toward the laird from nodding at Rodrick.
“I may nae be yer laird, lass, but I am the laird of this castle, and I wish to speak with ye.”
Willow blinked pointedly, her expression that of practiced innocence that did not reflect her guilt.
“Rodrick,” she turned toward him, “would you please inform the laird that I willnae be speaking with him at any point lest he once again deceptively hide the truth.”
Keegan looked ready to explode like a cannon, and the sight was damned delicious. Willow allowed herself the smile she’d been fighting, and as the laird ground his molars, he sucked in a breath through his nose, his eyes closing. When he looked to Rodrick, he waited with his brows raised high as Rodrick repeated Willow’s words.
“The lady has informed me that she willnae be speaking with ye, me laird. Do ye have a response?”
Narrowing his eyes, Keegan stared between Rodrick and Willow before landing his stare on Willow.
“Ye may inform the lady that I need to speak with her regardin' her brother.” He hesitated, but at last, his pride sat behind him as the laird gave Willow what she had asked for without words. “And I am sorry that I misled her before and promise nae to do it again.”
Rodrick looked entirely surprised by the laird’s apology, and Willow had to admit that she didn’t think Keegan would give her one at all, let alone in front of one of his men.
Grinning all the more, Willow cast her gaze on Keegan with a pleased smile, happy as the cat who got the cream. “Rodrick, would ye tell the laird that I accept his apology, and I am at his disposal should he wish to discuss me brother. Though, I will, of course, still require yer service, Rodrick.”
Keegan’s jaw worked as he held her stare. “How gracious of ye, me lady. Please follow me to the study where we might speak more privately.”
The three of them left the Great Hall, Willow and Rodrick following after the laird as he walked a short distance down the corridor to his study. He opened the door wide and allowed Willow inside before stepping between Rodrick and the entrance.