Jillian leapt to her feet. "That's quite enough. And quit smiling, Kaley."
"I'd forgotten that one myself, Jillian." Kaley chuckled. "You were a handful."
Jillian grimaced. "I'm not a child anymore. I'm twenty-one years old—"
"And why is it that you haven't wed, lass?" Ramsay wondered aloud.
Silence descended as all eyes, including several curious maids', focused on Jillian. She stiffened, mortification staining her cheeks with a flush of pink. By the saints, these men held nothing back. Not one of her past suitors would have dared such a direct frontal attack, but these men, she reminded herself grimly, weren't like any men she'd ever known before. Even Grimm and Quinn were unknown variables; they'd become dangerously unpredictable.
"Well, why haven't you?" Quinn said softly. "You're beautiful, witty, and well landed. Where are all your suitors, lass?"
Where, indeed? Jillian mused.
Grimm turned from the fire slowly. "Yes, Jillian, tell us. Why haven't you wed?"
Jillian's eyes flew to his. For a long moment she was unable to free herself from the snare of his gaze and the strange emotions it incited in her. With an immense effort of will, she averted her gaze. "Because I'm joining the cloister. Didn't Da tell you?" she said cheerfully. "That's probably why he brought you all here, to escort me safely to the Sisters of Gethsemane come fall." She studiously ignored Kaley's reproachful look and plunked down in her seat, attacking her breakfast with newly discovered relish. Let them chew on that. If they wouldn't admit the truth, why should she?
"Cloister?" Quinn said after a stunned silence.
"The nunnery," she clarified.
"As in wed to the Christ and none other?" Ramsay groaned.
"As in," Jillian confirmed around a mouthful of sausage.
Grimm didn't say a word as he left the Greathall.
* * * * *
A few hours later Jillian was wandering the outer bailey, quite aimlessly, certainly not of a mind to wonder where one specific man might have gotten off to, when Kaley ducked out the back entrance of the castle just as she passed.
"The cloister, is it? Really, Jillian," Kaley reprimanded.
"By the saints, Kaley, they were telling stories about me!"
"Charming stories."
"Humiliating stories." Jillian's cheeks colored.
"Endearing stories. True stories, not outrageous fibs like you told."
"Kaley, they're men," Jillian said, as if that should explain everything.
"Mighty fine men, at that, lass. Your da brings the cream of the crop here for you to choose a husband, and you go and tell them you're destined for a nunnery."
"You knew my da brought them here for that?"
Kaley flushed.
"How did you know?"
Kaley looked embarrassed. "I was eavesdropping from the solar when you were spying over the balustrade. You really must stop doffing your clothes in front of the window, Jillian," she chided.
"I didn't do it on purpose, Kaley." Jillian pursed her lips and scowled. "For a moment I thought Mother and Da had told you, even though they hadn't told me."
"No, lass. They didn't tell anyone. And maybe they were a bit heavy-handed, but you can approach this in one of two ways: You can be angry and spiteful and ruin your chances, or you can thank Providence and your da for fetching you the best of the best, Jillian."
Jillian rolled her eyes. "If those men are the best, then it's the cloister for certain."
"Jillian, come on, lass. Don't fight what's best for you. Choose a man and quit being mulish."
"I don't want a man." Jillian seethed.
Kaley measured her a long moment. "What are you doing wandering around out here, anyway?"
"Enjoying the flowers." Jillian shrugged nonchalantly.
"Don't you usually ride in the morning, then go to the village?"
"I didn't feel like it this morning. Is that a crime?" Jillian said peevishly.
Kaley's lip twitched in a smile. "Speaking of riding, I believe I saw that handsome Highlander Ramsay down by the stables."
"Good. I hope he gets trampled. Although I'm not certain there's a horse tall enough. Perhaps he could lie upon the ground and make it easier."
Kaley searched Jillian's face intently. "Quinn told me he was going to the village to fetch some whisky from MacBean."
"I hope he drowns in it," Jillian said, then looked at Kaley hopefully.
"Well," Kaley drawled, "I guess I'll be heading back to the kitchens. There's a lot of food to cook for these men." The voluptuous maid turned her back on Jillian and started walking away.
"Kaley!"
"What?" Kaley blinked innocently over her shoulder.