Though Willow had known nothing about Melissa when she left that day, it made much sense to her that Magnus would kidnap someone so dear to Keegan and the Brahannes. He was ruthless, and there were too many acres of their land that had been won with blood and violence.
Perhaps I should give just a hint at the information? But what if I am wrong? What if Magnus’s tactics are indeed as much a mystery to me as they are to anyone else?
It wasn’t interfering with Magnus’s plans that worried Willow so much, nor was it her own fate especially. Magnus would do what he would do, and she could get by. She always had. But if something were to happen to Lilith or her men—the clansmen who looked to her when her brother was on the warpath—because her information proved false or unreliable?
Willow could not stand the thought of that.
They were the slim comfort that existed for her in Castle MacCallum. She cared for the men who’d been stationed to guard her enough to go with Keegan willingly, and Willow felt the same about the innocent clansmen who lived in and around the castle.
And, of course, there was Lilith. That was the apparent cause of her distress. But what of the less obvious one—the one that not even Willow wished to admit was true?
“Ugh,” Willow sighed, “Ye are a mess.”
She spoke to herself quietly, looking down at her hands as she fiddled with the frayed edges of the shawl draped around her shoulders.
“And ye need to make up yer mind about it, Willow. Go on.”
She stood from the table, pacing around the room as she spoke to herself, which was typical when she was left with only herself to talk to when Magnus was in one of his moods and forbade her from leaving her room.
“Do ye tell Keegan what ye ken about yer brother? What would be done if what ye say isnae a help or, at worst, a detriment?”
Willow considered objectively this time.
“Would the laird harm ye? Nay, I daenae believe so much could be said. The man has been protectin' me since me arrival at the castle. He has been an honorable man—which couldnae be said about Magnus—and he is doing all this out of a love for his sister.”
Nodding to herself, Willow walked to her bed and sat down on the edge. It was settled. Tomorrow, which would still be three days before the exchange, she would approach the laird to discuss what she knew of Magnus.
“Laird Brahanne, may I have a word with ye in private? I wish to discuss somethin' of import to the upcomin' exchange.”
Willow’s entire body trembled, and she hoped it was not visible. The nerves affecting her were great, and she did her level best to secure herself and meet Keegan’s stare. Rodrick had accompanied her to the laird’s study upon her request, but he had not been informed of the reason. As such, he was just as surprised as the laird by her words.
She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, and Willow could see the shock play out of the young man’s features.
“I dinnae ken this is why ye wished to speak with him. Graces, me lady, ye could have at least provided me with a clue.”
Nearly laughing at the general air of Rodrick, let alone his colorful comments, Willow turned toward him slightly and bowed her head momentarily.
“Apologies, Rodrick. I thought it important to make haste.”
“Well, now, that is quite clear.” Rodrick shook his head, but a grin was still pinned to his face.
Keegan’s brows rose as he considered her, and then they were quickly down again, furrowed over his fetching eyes. Willow shook herself, willing her mind to focus on the matter at hand.
“About the exchange?” he asked, and Willow nodded.
Silence filled the room, and Willow waited as if she were perched on the edge of a blade.
“And this couldnae wait until the mornin' of?”
Shaking her head, Willow swallowed down the growing need to flee the study. “Nay, Laird Brahanne. I daenae think that would provide adequate time to work off what I would like to say.”
“Perhaps ye should hear her out, me laird. She is the sister of the laird.”
Keegan narrowed his eyes at Rodrick, glaring with a sense of humor behind it. “I am aware, Rodrick.”
Again, that quiet crept in, and Willow thought she might perish on the spot were it to continue for much longer.
“Hmm, verra well. I have a moment. Rodrick, please wait outside the door.”