Cassian (The Immortal Highland Centurions #2) - Jayne Castel Page 0,20
with him. He was a big man, not quite as tall as the Wallace—who was a giant among men—but tall enough to dominate any space he stepped into.
Aila longed to run her hands over the breadth of his shoulders, to lay her cheek against the hard-muscled wall of his chest.
Swallowing hard, she took a large, fortifying gulp of wine.
Heather was only trying to help, only trying to watch out for her, but her concern just made Aila all the more determined.
Other women got the man they desired. Why shouldn’t she?
Aila set her jaw, a fluttery sensation rising in her chest.
I won’t give up, she vowed. The trouble was that if she wanted to attract the handsome captain, she couldn’t remain the way she was: a timid woman who kept to the shadows for fear of being the center of attention.
If she was to be successful, she needed to reinvent herself.
Aila’s gaze flicked to where Heather was loudly arguing with their mother over something. Hands on hips, she stood her ground while Iona waggled a finger at her.
Aila’s mouth curved at the sight.
If she wanted Cassian, she needed to be more like her sister.
Heather didn’t cringe at the sidelines; she might have made a few mistakes along her road to happiness, but she was reaping the benefits now. She’d never have met Maximus if she’d remained under her mother’s thumb at Dunnottar, like Aila had.
Aila lifted her goblet to her lips and drained the last of her wine, enjoying the heat that pooled in her belly. It gave her strength.
Glancing over at where Cassian was now laughing at something Draco had just said, the warmth in Aila’s belly spread. God’s teeth, he was breathtakingly handsome when he laughed or smiled—a rare sight indeed.
I want to be the one to bring joy to his face.
Aila drew in a deep, determined breath. In order to get Cassian to fall under her spell, she was also going to need courage.
IX
LET ME GO
IT GREW LATE, and Cassian stifled a yawn. A surfeit of rich food and drink had made him sleepy. The harpist now played soft, melancholy tunes, and just a handful of couples still danced. Most folk sat at the tables lining the hall, nursing their cups and goblets of mead, ale, and wine.
Cassian rubbed a hand over his face. It was probably time he retired for the night.
He was just about to push himself up off the wall and bid Draco good eve, when raised voices made him glance toward the hearth.
William Wallace had joined the laird and his wife there earlier, and Lady Elizabeth now sat with them.
And to Cassian’s surprise, Lady Elizabeth appeared to be arguing with her brother-by-marriage.
“What’s this?” he murmured to Draco, digging him in the side with his elbow. His friend grunted, for he’d been on the verge of dozing against the wall. Without awaiting Draco’s answer, Cassian moved closer to the group, intrigued.
“If there’s a chance Robert can be freed, we must take it, David,” Elizabeth said, her voice rising louder still. “Ye cannot sit here and let yer brother rot in an English dungeon. We must get him back. I want my husband returned safely to me.”
“Going to Stirling won’t achieve that,” David De Keith countered. His face was flushed, his brown eyes narrowed. “Best we wait until they decide to free him.”
“But that day might never come!” Lady Elizabeth drew herself up. “Ye can’t throw Robert’s life away.”
“Lady Elizabeth is right, of course,” William Wallace rumbled. “Longshanks is in Stirling … and he’s invited all the northern lairds to visit him, provided they bend the knee. Now is yer chance to go to him and make an appeal for Robert’s freedom … ye may never get another opportunity. Surely, yer own brother is worth feigning loyalty for? And while ye are there, ye can find out what action Edward plans to take next.”
The laird went still, his gaze swiveling to the Wallace. His lip then curled.
Watching them, Cassian allowed himself a tight smile. William Wallace was a clever man indeed to bring up this subject with Lady Elizabeth present. She was just the ally he needed.
“Wallace speaks true,” Lady Gavina spoke up then. Her voice was low and respectful, although Cassian caught the glint in her eye. “We should pay Edward a visit—ye, me, and Lady Elizabeth … we owe Robert that much.” She paused there, her gaze flicking to William Wallace. “And take the opportunity to find out what we can.”