clan to ally himself with through marriage. But first, he had to spar with his vile uncle Hugh. Please God, just put a sword in my hand. Fighting was so much easier.
"May I speak?"
Connor started at the soft voice behind him and turned from the window to find Ilysa.
"I didn't see ye come in," he said. "What is it? Are our stores low, and I need to send the men out hunting? Or is it something far worse? Please tell me the whiskey isn't gone."
He was teasing her, glad for the diversion from his troubles. Ilysa, however, did not favor him with a smile. He narrowed his eyes and took a closer look at her. The usually unshakable Ilysa was twisting her hands in the skirt of her gown.
"What's wrong?"
"Ye mustn't go to your uncle's," she said.
"What did ye say?" Connor thought he must have misheard her.
"Don't go," she said, blinking her big brown eyes at him. "You'll be in grave danger if ye do."
Connor was aware that Ilysa had stayed in the room to listen when he met with his uncle, as she often did. He had never minded before because he trusted her loyalty absolutely and she never gave away secrets. But, by the saints, now she was trying to tell him what to do.
"I appreciate your concern," Connor said. "Now I have important matters to attend to."
He turned back to the window. After a moment, he realized she was still standing there. Did the lass not understand he had dismissed her?
"Leave me now," he said over his shoulder.
"Ye were angry with me for how ye learned about Deirdre," she said.
Connor's temper flared at the memory. When he turned and fixed his gaze on Ilysa, he did not attempt to hide it.
"Ye said I should have simply told ye what I knew," Ilysa said, her face pinched in an earnest expression.
"I did," Connor said, though he did not see why she was bringing this up.
"So that's what I'm doing now." Ilysa paused to lick her lips. "I'm telling ye that ye must not go to your uncle's."
Connor closed his eyes and rubbed the space between his brows where a raging headache was starting. He reminded himself that Ilysa was Duncan's sister, and therefore he should not yell at her. All the same, she needed to understand her place. He took a deep breath.
"I give ye a free hand with the kitchens and the servants," he said, biting out the words. "But I am your chieftain, and ye will not attempt to tell me what to do."
"Ye don't understand," she said, her voice rising. "I had a vision."
God help him, Tearlag taught her how to mix a few salves and now Ilysa believed she had The Sight.
"I don't have time for such foolishness." Connor set the summons on his table and took her arm.
"Hugh wants to murder ye," Ilysa said as he led her to the door.
"There's nothing new about that. He's wanted to kill me for years." Connor opened the door and put a hand at her back. "Don't ever question my judgment again. Now go."
* * *
Connor felt guilty when he saw Ilysa across the courtyard. Ever since he had spoken harshly to her after his uncle's visit two days ago, she dropped her gaze whenever she passed him. She was a sweet, delicate lass. While he could not tolerate her interference, he had not meant to hurt her feelings.
She had barely spoken a word to him since. Odd, how much that unsettled him. He liked and respected Ilysa, and it did not feel right having this discord between them. When their paths crossed in the middle of the courtyard and she stopped to speak with him, he was relieved.
"Your favorite dog has had pups," she said, her face bright. "I can show them to ye when ye have a moment."
Connor had a great many things to do before he left, but this should not take long. Besides, he wanted to make things right between them.
"I can see them now," he said. "Where is Maggie?"
"She's hidden her pups well," Ilysa said, with a small smile. "Come inside, and I'll show ye."
Connor followed her down into the undercroft and past the kitchens, which were oddly quiet. When she opened the door to a storeroom, he followed her inside. He tamped down the impatience tugging at him when he looked about and did not see his dog amid the sacks of oats and barley.