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A ilis found herself confused. She still had feelings for Lachlan, but she loved the attention that Cameron was showering upon her. Perhaps Cameron was the man she was meant to spend her life with, but she couldn’t close her heart to Lachlan.

She and Cameron chuckled together, unaware of Lachlan’s watchful gaze from afar.

“Ye’ve a way with words that could rival any bard,” crooned Cameron, his smile infectious and disarming. His admiration came naturally, as did their playful teasing.

Ailis’s voice carried playfulness and unease as she responded, brushing against a locket at her neck. “Flattery will get ye everywhere, Cameron.”

“Only if it’s met with truth,” he countered, maintaining eye contact. They connected over lore and the natural world. Being with Cameron was comfortable, and she enjoyed his presence.

Ailis shared ancient tales with Cameron, who listened intently. “Ye have a gift, Ailis. It’s no wonder ye leave such an impression on those near,” he murmured, his warmth enveloping her.

She was torn between expectations and the spark of dangerous delight from connecting with Cameron. The image of Lachlan’s eyes haunted her periphery—stories untold and depths unexplored—while she reveled in Cameron’s company.

For seven days, he’d come to see her daily.

She enjoyed every moment with him, though she often thought of Lachlan.

But Cameron had approached her father for permission to court her while Lachlan hadn’t bothered.

He was busy helping Alisdair train the army, but he had time to speak with her father. She had no idea why he didn’t do it.

In the stillness of the garden beneath the twilight sky, Ailis realized that every moment spent with Cameron made her even more uncertain about what she truly wanted.

Before Cameron wished her goodnight, he asked her, “Have ye ever longed to live a different life where ye could do exactly as ye wanted?”

She sighed. “I love me family, but mayhap some time to do exactly as I wish would be nice. Who wouldnae want such a thing?” As she walked inside, she wondered what she would do if she wasn’t needed as a healer, and if her time was hers to do whatever she wished.

Spending more time with Lachlan was the first thought to spring to her mind.

*

Lachlan entered the McAfee keep’s great hall, seeking his brothers’ company. Alisdair and Brodie sensed his confusion.

“Brothers,” Lachlan began, “I find meself uncertain of exactly what I should do next.”

Alisdair urged him to speak his mind, while Brodie remained silent with an encouraging gaze.

“It’s Ailis,” Lachlan confessed. “Her presence draws me in, yet I dinnae know how to proceed.” He shook his head. “I thought she felt the same for me, but now she spends time with Cameron. She appears truly taken with him.”

“Ye wish to court her?” asked Brodie.

“Yes,” Lachlan answered. “But her bond with Cameron complicates matters. I seek yer counsel. I ken I should have acted sooner, but I didn’t. Now I need to know how to proceed.”

“Have ye spoken with her father yet?” Alisdair asked. “That should be yer first step!”

Brodie nodded. “Alisdair is correct. Ye’ll never understand how the lass feels if ye dinnae at least try to court her, and the first step is speaking with her father.”

As Lachlan strode through the halls of the keep, he was consumed by the weight of his brothers’ advice. When he finally found himself face-to-face with Ailis, his heart raced with anticipation.

“Ailis,” he called softly.

She turned to him, her eyes reflecting a mixture of emotions—surprise, uncertainty, and a hint of longing. “Lachlan,” she replied, her voice warm but guarded.

“I wished to speak with ye,” Lachlan began, struggling to find the right words. “About us.”

Ailis regarded him with a thoughtful expression, her fingers absentmindedly playing with the edges of her shawl. “What about us, Lachlan?”

He took a deep breath, gathering his courage. “I’ve come to realize that there’s a depth to ye that I’ve only begun to understand. Yer spirit shines bright, Ailis.”

A flicker of emotion crossed her face before she composed herself. “And what of Cameron?”

Lachlan met her gaze squarely. “I know of yer bond with him, but me heart tells me that there is something between us worth exploring.” He tried to read her face to see what she was thinking as he spoke, but she was too guarded in that moment.

Ailis’s eyes softened. “Ye speak true, Lachlan. But I must be honest with ye—me heart is torn. Why would you wait until another was courting me if you had the intention of courting me yerself?” If he hadn’t, she wasn’t certain why he was even having this conversation with her.

“I thought I had time. I knew we were drawn to one another, and I thought ye would wait for me. I plan to speak with yer father on the morrow.”

Silence settled between them as they both grappled with their feelings. Finally, she whispered, “I will consider yer courtship if me father approves of ye.”

Lachlan nodded slowly, understanding dawning in his eyes. “Then let us learn how we feel together, Ailis. With honesty and open hearts, we shall find our way. Ye’ll give me a chance?”

“First ye must speak with me father. If he willnae let ye court me, then there is no reason for us to spend time together. But if he agrees, then aye, I’ll give ye a chance.” She paused. “And I will still be spending time with Cameron. I enjoy his company.”

*

In the McAfee gardens, Ailis and Cameron walked among vibrant blooms.

“Ye have a way with children, Cameron,” Ailis remarked, giggling.

“’Tis nothing,” he replied with an easy smile. “Children are much like wildlings—give them respect and fun, and they’ll follow ye anywhere.”

Ailis glanced sideways at him, eyes filled with mirth. “And what of the not-so-small wildlings?”

“Perhaps,” he teased. “Though such creatures require a more delicate approach.”

Their conversation flowed from childhood tales to future dreams. Despite the growing bond, Ailis’s thoughts strayed toward Lachlan—the mysterious highlander occupying her mind.

Ailis cherished the simplicity of this connection while delaying the inevitable decision that loomed on her horizon.

*

Lachlan McClain observed the grand hall’s festivities from a distance with an unusual seriousness. Ailis McAfee whisked through the dance with Cameron, her laughter filling the air, and he longed to be the one she was laughing with.

Throughout the dance, Ailis was keenly aware of Lachlan’s presence. Their eyes met briefly before she focused on her partner again. Cameron complimented Ailis’s dancing, but she shrugged it off modestly. Their stolen glances were charged with unspoken questions.

“Tell me, Ailis,” Cameron inquired as the music played, “does yer heart ever yearn for something it cannot name?”

“Perhaps,” she answered softly, sensing Lachlan’s gaze upon her. “But the most important thing I can do is take care of me duties, and then hopefully, things will happen the way they’re meant to.”

“True,” Cameron agreed with a tender smile. “One must choose wisely, lest the heart lead us astray.”

As the dance ended, couples exchanged bows and curtsies, basking in their shared joy. Ailis, however, was fixated on Lachlan McClain, who strode away from the hall with determination.

“Ye have me heart in a birl, Lachlan McClain,” Ailis whispered, her hand in Cameron’s as they left the dance floor. “And I fear what might come should ye learn to wield it.”

“Did ye say something?”

She smiled. “I was merely mumbling to meself.”

To Ailis’s surprise, Ian appeared beside her, glaring at Cameron. “May I have this dance, Ailis?”

Ailis stood for a moment, trying to decide the easiest way to tell the man she wouldn’t be willing to dance with him. “Nay, I’ve promised the next dance to Cameron,” she finally answered.

Ian focused on Cameron. “Are ye a laird’s son then?”

“Nay. Just a man.”

“Her father will never let ye marry her.”

“We’ll see,” Cameron muttered, his eyes locking with Ian’s.

“We will.” Ian stood for a moment before retreating. Ailis let out a sigh of relief when he disappeared into the crowd.

“Thank ye for being me excuse not to dance with the man. He is not someone I care to spend time with.” She stopped herself before adding that Ian sickened her.

Cameron smiled, his whole face lighting up. “I’m happy to provide ye an excuse any time ye need it.”

*

Ailis rode beside Lachlan through the glens and hills of the Scottish countryside. The hazy sun cast a warm glow, dappling the fields with light and shadow. Lachlan had arranged this excursion so they could have time to truly speak to one another.

“Ye ride well, Ailis,” Lachlan called over his shoulder.

“Thank ye,” she replied, feeling the weight of their growing connection.

Truth be told, she had stronger feelings for Lachlan than she did for Cameron.

Much stronger feelings. Yet Cameron seemed safe to her while Lachlan felt just a bit dangerous.

She could easily lose her heart to Lachlan.

“I’m surprised ye were able to take time from yer duties to ride with me. ”

“Sometimes we must make time for things that are important to us. And ye are important.”

“Have ye spoken with me father?”

“Aye. He doesnae mind if we spend time together.”

“Good. Then we shall enjoy that time.” Ailis’s heart raced a bit at her father’s approval. It was what she’d wanted so much…before meeting Cameron anyway.

*

Ailis stood by Cameron among kilted warriors and cheering clansmen. There was an archery contest, and they watched it closely.

“Och,” she cried. “I could best every one of them with me knife.”

Cameron chuckled. “I’ve heard tell of yer knife-throwing. Are ye as good as they say? Do ye think ye can best me?”

Ailis smiled. “Is that a challenge?”

Cameron nodded.

Ailis smiled, nodding, while her thoughts lingered on Lachlan.

Ailis stepped forward with poise. She sent the blade sailing into the target’s bullseye with a steady hand. The crowd erupted in applause.

“Ye have a talent that rivals yer wit,” Cameron gushed.

“Thank ye,” Ailis replied, smiling mischievously. She accepted praise with humility but her inner turmoil continued. Her place among the McAfee clan carried expectations. It was obvious by Cameron’s face that he still believed he could best her. It weighed on her shoulders heavily.

Cameron took his turn, and he came close, but he could not hit the center of the target as she had. “I must concede to yer greater skill.”

Ailis grinned at him, but she saw a spark of something in his eyes that surprised her. He was truly angry she’d beaten him! That was so unlike Cameron.

He bowed to her quickly. “I must return to care for me grandparents.”

“Have a good day,” she murmured, watching him go. She couldn’t help but wonder if he’d stay away now that he realized she could best him with a knife. She wasn’t sure if she wished he would stay away so her decision would be easier, or if she wished he would return.

*

The skies above the McAfee lands grew dark, forecasting a storm. Ailis and Cameron wandered through the gardens, their conversation meandering like a gentle stream. The scent of damp earth announced the impending rain.

“Do ye know the story of old when the sky cried for parted lovers?” Cameron asked playfully.

Ailis hummed softly. “Aye, it’s as if even the heavens cannae bear the sight of heartache.”

Raindrops began to fall as they walked. Suddenly, a downpour engulfed them, driving them to seek shelter beneath an ancient oak tree.

“Here we are at the mercy of the storm.” Ailis smiled despite her damp cheeks.

“Mercy, or perhaps fate?” Cameron mused, watching her wipe away water droplets.

Underneath this natural refuge, they spoke of everything and nothing, not emerging until the rain had stopped.

*

Lachlan approached the grand doors, the carved oak standing imposingly before him. He needed some time in his ancestral home to decide how to capture the heart of Ailis. The brisk Highland air couldn’t cool his burning chest as he recalled Ailis’s laughter shared with another.

Pausing at the door, Lachlan’s mind raced with courtly protocols and clan politics. Each step now was a battle between his heart and his station.

“Father,” he called firmly. The laird sat at the far end of the hall, his gaze piercing even from a distance.

As Lachlan moved closer, he sensed generations watching him. “I understand ye’ve been spending much time in contemplation these days, son. What troubles ye?” the laird rumbled.

“It is not trouble that brings me before ye, Father, but a matter of the heart,” Lachlan replied carefully. “I seek yer blessing to court Ailis.”

The laird studied his son. “And what of her feelings for ye? Does she return yer affection?”

Masking his uncertainty, Lachlan answered, “Ailis is a woman of depth and complexity. I believe there lies a chance for us if I’m given an opportunity to prove me sincerity.”

“Very well,” the laird conceded. “Ye have me permission to court her. But remember, Lachlan, our alliances ensure our survival as much as our strength. Ye must choose wisely.”

Lachlan nodded, his shoulders relaxing from their tension. As he turned to leave, he grew determined. Now that he had permission from both their fathers, he knew he could win her heart. He just had to decide how to proceed on the long ride back to McAfee lands.