“I have said that I will protect ye, lass. Ye are nae to be harmed when ye reside in me castle.”
Willow stood up, walking closer to him. Her eyes switched between the floor and his own stare, and Keegan couldn’t help but smile ever so slightly.
“He is yer brother. And he isnae wrong. I am the sister of the enemy. Ye have nay call to be protective of me.”
Regarding her, Keegan thought about how familiar with the torment Willow had seemed. It was quite likely that Magnus was as much of a bastard to his family as he was to everyone else. And again, he sought to make a clear distinction between him and that man for everyone that he could.
“I am nae yer brother, Willow. I daenae wish to see anyone harmed who doesnae deserve it.” He lowered his head, staring at the lass from under his brow. “Nae even me brother is allowed to disobey me, and I will be sure to see me orders upheld by every clansman.”
“I…” The shock still played over her face, and Keegan raised his brows as the woman seemed at a loss for words before quickly shaking herself back into order. “Thank ye, Laird Brahanne. Yer kindness doesnae go unnoticed.”
He scoffed. “I should hope so, lass. And,” Keegan sighed, his head angling toward the doors through which Damon exited, “daenae think too unfavorably of me brother. Melissa and he are verra close. Nearly inseparable aside from this fraught moment. He is angry and lashing out at anyone that he can.”
Willow looked down at the floor, and Keegan watched her eyes as they moved with her thoughts.
“I shouldnae think I would be much better would someone harm me sister, Lilith. She is the dearest thing to me.”
Keegan nodded, an understanding growing within him for her meaning. She had done what she needed to do to protect her men, and Willow was making it clear that she would do just as much and more to safeguard her sister.
He liked that—much more than he should.
“Can I sit with ye? I will admit to being quite famished.”
Another startled look crossed over her face, and Lord, it was quite enjoyable to see Willow so at a loss for words sometimes. He knew he needn't ask to sit with her, but again, Keegan wished to display how he was not a man of Magnus’s design. And it wasalso quite beneficial if he did indeed want to speak to the lass regarding her troublesome brother.
“Of course, Laird Brahanne. Though, would ye nae be more comfortable atyertable?” Willow gestured over her shoulder.
“Och, what is life without a bit of change? Eh, lassie?” He smirked. “I think I shall take me meal right here.”
Keegan lifted his arm to gain the attention of one of his servants. In an impressive hurry, a plate of food that he would typically take at his Laird’s seat was presented to him right next to Willow’s—half-eaten and not so full of the best cuts as his.
“Are ye still hungry?” He asked.
With her brows up again, Willow nodded. “Aye.”
“Well, then,” Keegan put a hunk of his cooked bird on her plate. “We shall eat.”
12
Why is he like this?Willow’s mind churned with the question even as she fought against it, trying to look for clues as to his true motives as she dined with Keegan.
The back and forth of his actions was beginning to drive her mad. He fought with her one moment, and yes, she returned that in kind, but then the next he was kissing her. And now he had requested to eat with her after standing up in her defense—against his own brother of all people.
Not that the treatment from Damon was either unexpected or impossible to understand. Willow knew why the laird’s brother was behaving as such. She was the enemy, and it sounded more and more with each word he said that Damon loved his sister immensely and was furious at her loss.
Had the ire not been directed at her, Willow would have even found it endearing. Which she knew was the result of having such a poor relationship with her own brother. Magnus wouldnever have lost his mind that way, and she was quite certain that he remained in the castle unmoved by her absence.
Lilith was likely not faring as well.
“So, what are the lass’s opinions of Brahanne food? Have we impressed the sister of Laird MacCallum?”
She was snapped out of her thoughts. Willow turned toward Keegan, looking down at her empty plate and then back up at him with a slight smile.
“It was quite good. Though I must admit that I was indeed so hungry that I might say the same thing about eating an old boot.”
Keegan laughed, and the sound thrummed through her body in a way that she did not expect. It was deep and rumbling, but it was also quite honest and unhidden behind some notion of social airs. He just…laughed.
What a strange thing to be so impressed with? You are clearly out of your head, Willow.