Free Jake (The Highland Clan Book 4) by Keira Montclair

settled on the benches. Though he knew she’d met some of them, he made formal introductions, introducing her to his mother and father, Uncle Robbie and Aunt Caralyn, whom she had met, and Uncle Brodie. Jamie was missing, but Jake’s sister Kyla and cousins Ashlyn and Gracie were there also. His other cousins sat at a nearby table. He thought it best not to overwhelm her so decided to hold off those introductions.
    They sat and continued on with their conversation about the happenings of the day while Aline took everything in. Maddie ordered a trencher of stew for her and ensured she had some bread. Once she’d eaten a bit, the conversation turned to her.
    Alex spoke first. “Aline, welcome to our home and table. I’m sorry you had the misfortune you did, but understand that you are welcome at Clan Grant at any time. We are always pleased to invite others to join us.”
    Uncle Robbie added, “And if you need any help with your present situation, please let us know. We have each had some dealings with unsavory characters, so do not hesitate to ask for help.”
    Aunt Caralyn asked, “Have you made any plans yet?”
    Jake cleared his throat, wishing to answer, but he decided it was not his place to speak for her. Suddenly, he realized that many in his family had experienced situations similar to Aline’s. He and his siblings had lived a sheltered life.
    He noticed Aunt Caralyn, who had left a cruel man to journey into Grant land. She’d sent her daughters ahead of her to be safe. He thought of his cousin Loki, who had been adopted by his uncle Brodie after they’d found him living on the streets of Ayr, and of Brodie’s wife Celestina, who’d been forced to marry to a brute. Ashlyn and Gracie, his cousins who’d been adopted by Robbie, had looks of empathy on their faces, as if they knew…
    Did they?
    Aline replied, “Aye, I will be returning on the morrow. While I appreciate all you’ve done for me, I must return. If I could borrow a horse, I would be deeply grateful.”
    Silence descended quickly, but his sire spoke up, smooth as could be. “We’ll do all we can to assist you. Isn’t that right, Jake?”
    Jake nodded, unable to speak, but he did send a pointed look in his father’s direction. Couldn’t his sire see she needed to stay here? Couldn’t Uncle Robbie see that she was headed back to trouble? Any man who’d beaten her like that would do so again. Finally, he couldn’t stop himself from saying, “I think it would be in Aline’s best interest to stay here.”
    Aline’s voice trembled as she spoke. “I think I’d like to return to my chamber. It was lovely meeting you. My thanks for inviting me.”
    She stood up to leave, and Jake helped her, but not before beseeching his sire. “My laird, I believe we should convince her to stay here where she is safe. I do not believe ‘tis in her best interest to leave and go back to the lout who did this to her.”
    Aline froze and glanced at all the faces in front of her, her face turning a dark shade of red. Ashlyn reached over and squeezed her hand, nodding to her.
    Alex sighed and said, “I’m sorry, Jake. ‘Tis not our place or our practice to imprison someone. She is here of her own free will and can choose to leave when she wishes. I’ll take this opportunity to assure her that if the time ever comes that she’d like our assistance, we will be happy to give it to her. She need only get a message to us.”
    Aline nodded to Alex. “My thanks, my lord.”
    Desperate for a little more time to convince her of what he knew to be true, Jake held his hand out to Aline. “Would you mind going for a short walk with me? I’m sure Ashlyn would not mind if you borrowed her mantle.”
    “Aye, I would like that. It would be lovely to see more of your castle and grounds.”
    After retrieving Ashlyn’s mantle, he helped Aline on with it, then held the door for her to go out ahead of them. She shivered as soon as she stepped out. “Ooh, ‘tis chilly