Maude glanced at Kieran, who looked pained but attempted to smile at her as his jaw twitched. Maude accepted the man’s offer and left Kieran to watch. The courtier’s smile was polite, but his eyes were riveted to Maude’s bust, making her uncomfortable. Kieran recognized that the man stumbled on purpose, so Maude’s bosom would press against his chest. Maude jerked away and looked over at Kieran, seeing the heat rise in his neck. Kieran waited for Maude to signal that she needed him; he wouldn’t intervene unless she asked. The song drew to a close without further incident, but before Maude returned to his side, another man asked her to dance. Once more, she glanced at Kieran, this time with an apologetic shrug. He forced himself to smile. He wanted Maude to enjoy the evening and to enjoy the attention after being starved for it. But, as he feared, the men who approached Maude were ones that only wanted to bed her. A third man pulled Maude too close despite her drawing away and attempting to put more space between them. His hand spread across the small of her back as he pressed her closer. Kieran observed Maude shake her head to something the man said. He maneuvered them further from the center of the dancers as though he would lead her outside. Kieran caught the moment Maude panicked and began a frantic search for him. He plowed through couples and those mingling about until his hand encircled the man’s bicep. Kieran’s fingers and thumb almost met as he yanked it from Maude’s back. He twisted it behind the man’s back and leaned to his ear.
“You aren’t taking the lass anywhere. She’s spoken for.” Kieran squeezed. “By me.”
“I—I wasn’t,” the man spluttered. “Barbarian. Uncouth lout.”
The man still had hold of Maude’s hand, which she squeezed until the man winced and leaned back as his knees buckled. She bared her teeth as she prepared to defend Kieran.
“I dinna ken who ye think ye’re speaking to, but I do kenLairdMacLeod is a far better mon than ye are, ye swine. The only barbarian here is ye. Ye’re lucky it’s Laird MacLeod who stopped ye because ye were aboot to get ma knee to yer bollocks. How’s that for uncouth, ye arse?”
She released the man’s hand, and Kieran shoved him away. Maude’s former dance partner stumbled away as he glanced over his shoulder several times. Kieran pulled Maude into his arms and guided her back into the dance.
“Are you well?” Kieran murmured.
“Aye. Thank you. I panicked when I couldn’t see you anymore. I would have kneed him if I had to, but I--” She shook her head. “I didn’t like knowing if I couldn’t see you, then you couldn’t see me. It frightened me.”
“We shall dance through this song, and then we’ll return to the table. We drew too much attention, and I would diffuse it by appearing as if all is normal.”
“This is our third dance together when I have danced that many in the seven moons I’ve been here. That is hardly what anyone will consider normal.”
“Mayhap, but they will understand that you’re under my protection, and it will be clear in the morning that I’m courting you. And by the by, little one, you might not have been able to see me, but I can reassure you I had my eyes on you the entire time. I’m a touch taller than you, buttercup. I can see over everyone’s head here who isn’t a Highlander, too. These Lowlanders don’t eat enough as weans. They’re puny.” Maude grinned, and Kieran’s heart stuttered. “Keep smiling at me like that, my bonnie buttercup. You make me feel ten feet tall.”
“You are the brawest mon here.” Maude’s eyes twinkled as a crease formed at the outside of each one. Kieran glimpsed the tips of her bottom teeth where they overlapped. He yearned to run his thumb over them before doing the same with his tongue.
“Compliments will get you everywhere, mo leannan.”My sweetheart. The one tiny extra word, the ownership of the sentiment, made Maude’s hands tighten around Kieran’s.
“I shall hold you to that, mo ghràidh.”My darling. Kieran’s eyes widened, and his nostrils flared. It was the first time she’d used an endearment other than turtledove, and she’d only used that a handful of times. “Will you sit with my father, Blair, and me during the morning meal? We can go for our walk after.”
“I’d enjoy naught more. I will meet you at the end of Mass by the chapel doors.”
Maude canted her head to the side as she ruminated on plans for the next day.
“Do you mind missing time in the lists, or will you go in the afternoon?”
“One day of missed training won’t harm me. I’d rather spend the time with you.”
“Then I intend to ask my godfather for a favor.” Kieran raised his eyebrow at her statement. “I’ll ask him to join the queen in her solar tomorrow afternoon and have you accompany him.”
“You’d ask the king to rearrange his schedule and share our courtship with him?”
“And the queen. She will know before any of us arrive in her solar. I’ve asked them for naught since I was a child and begged the queen for candied apples.”
“Where did your desire for subtlety go?”
“After tonight? There’s no point. People have already taken notice. I’d rather make the most of our time than waste it.”
“Do you think he’d indulge you?”
“Aye. Unless he already has a meeting or something urgent takes him away, he will. If not for me, then because he enjoys the time with the queen. Despite the flowery poetry and tittering, he enjoys the reprieve from his advisors badgering him.”
“When will you ask?” Kieran led Maude back to the table as the song ended.
“Now.” Maude flashed a smile before stepping around Kieran and walking to the dais. She curtseyed and waited for permission to approach. Two sets of eyebrows rose as she walked to the stairs and climbed onto the dais rather than stepping forward and remaining below the king and queen.
“Lady Maude,” the king intoned. “This is a pleasant surprise.”
Maude looked around to determine who watched or, more importantly, who listened. The other people on the dais appeared disinterested. She knew her father had a place at the table if he wished to take it, but he preferred to sit among his clansmen. Maude leaned forward so she was close enough to whisper as she stood between her godfather and godmother.
“I would ask a boon of you, not as my king and queen but as my godparents.” Maude paused and waited for their reaction.
