At Mercy's Will

Part 7

the next day he searched for Eileen, after a long time of trying to find her and trying to stay away from the king he did not find her. he stopped at the waiting parlor and found many women chatting away. he walked in and tried to find her but she was missing her found Lisa sitting next to her mother looking like a doll. she sat up straight and was looking at the fire, her mother laughed and he expected that this would be a good time to apologize. 

"Lady McLean, i wondered if i could have a private word with you?" he asked with a bow.

Lisa looked up to him shock that he had found her. the other ladies stopped laughing and her mother started at him. Lisa was frozen and her mother nudged her.

"oh, forgive me. Lord Duncan this is my mother lady Caroline McLean." Lisa said

Cinaed bowed to her mother and kissed her knuckles. Caroline nodded and smiled sweetly to him.

"Greetings Lord Duncan, i hope my daughter isn't too much of a pain for you." she said with a purr. 

Lisa looked at her mother shocked and hurt, Cinaed smiled kindly to Caroline before he stood.

"Not at all My lady, her company is the best i have ever had. if you excuse us." he said showing Lisa his hand. 

she was shocked but took his arm. leading her out of the room and down to the gardens he could feel her gaze on him.

"May i ask why you stare, my lady?" he asked.

out of the corner of his eye he watched as her eyes widened and she started blushing. she looked away and he smiled.

"I wanted to further apologize for last night." he said 

"It has already been forgiven." she said quietly.

"I would also like to ask if you are aware of the fact that you are being forced into marring the Prince." he said.

she started to laugh, which startled Cinaed. he looked to her and saw her genuinely smiling, she looked up to him and stopped seeing how serious he was.

"My lord, every young woman and woman is here to try to woo the young prince's hand." she said with another short laugh.

he looked at her confused, what was so funny. he was trying to save her life and yet she laughed at him. she sighed with a smiled and looked down to the grass.

"Do you not have a choice? our father says that me and my sister can marry who ever we choose." Cinaed replied.

"My lord, you must come from a very generous family your sister is a very lucky girl. i am not so lucky, when my father and mother find someone they like they will marry me off. possibly the man with the highest money income." she said with a sad smile. 

he stopped and stared at her, she gave him another smile before leading him off. they walked in silence as he comprehended the information. 

"Lord Duncan!" the king snapped. "I would like a word with you, pardon me my lady."

Cinaed rolled his eyes and silently apologized to her. she nodded and he kissed her knuckles before he left. the king was scowling at him and led him back into the castle, the other stewards that had been following him left quickly.

"Where were you yesterday!" he roared. 

"As i was walking to our meeting place i met with a few dukes who are plotting against your son and speaking of murder." Cinaed snapped back. 

"Someone trying to kill Edward?" the king asked, his anger fleeing.

"Not him, the other young women. they are trying to eliminate Edward's options for a wife, to one of their choices." Cinaed said.