“No, but how can you not tell he’s Madeline’s brother? They look too much alike to be otherwise.” Maude glanced around, looking for a way out of this untenable conversation, and considered running into the gardens. She was sure Arabella and this still unnamed man would follow her.
“Laird Kieran MacLeod.” He bowed as he took Maude’s hand and bussed a kiss onto the back of it. She was unaccustomed to such courtly manners directed toward her. She assumed it was perfunctory before his attention would settle on Arabella, as it inevitably always did. He stunned her when Arabella only received a nod and a glance from him. “I must apologize for my sister’s cruelty. I’m ashamed on her behalf, and I wish I could take it back. I will have words with her.”
“No!” Maude practically shouted. She shook her head with vehemence. “Don’t either of you say a word aboot this. Please. It’s embarrassing enough without them discovering I overheard them. It’ll only make them believe they were successful.”
“Maude,” Kieran liked how her name sounded as he spoke it for the first time, and from the flair of her nose and the rise of her chest, she seemed to like it too. “Madeline doesn’t need to ken you were here too. I’ll tell her I was returning from the gardens and couldn’t help overhearing them.”
Kieran watched color flood Maude’s face as she glanced at the garden and then him. He watched her eyes dart to his waist and then away. He realized she understood why he had been in the garden, and for some reason, shame filled him even more. Arabella’s hardened expression told him she understood, too. But it was before he even knew Maude existed, he reasoned with himself.
“Please, no. Just leave be. The less said the better,” Maude sighed.
“I wish that I could, buttercup.” Kieran wanted to bite his tongue as the endearment slipped out. It was one thing to use it when he and Maude were alone, and he attempted to comfort her. It was a different matter to do it in front of her friend. “I won’t mention that I met you or that you were anywhere near here, but I can’t let Madeline’s behavior stand. It’s a disgrace to our name. If she speaks this way aboot you, I can only imagine what she is saying aboot other people. Her loose tongue could do more damage than she realizes. Hurt feelings destroy alliances all the time. Besides that, I abhor her willing cruelty. It’s disgusting, and hardly ladylike.” Kieran forced himself to stop speaking before he became guilty of his sister’s sin and spoke too ill of her in front of others.
“Do as you must,” Maude sighed again.
The resignation in her tone once more made Kieran wish to protect her. Disregarding her friend, Kieran lifted Maude’s chin and leaned next to her ear to whisper.
“They arenae men. They havenae a bluidy clue what they’re talking aboot. You can take those words to the grave, lass.” He placed a kiss on the corner of her jaw before pulling away.
Maude stared up at Kieran as she processed what he said. A smile made the corner of her mouth twinge as she nodded.
“Thank you.”
“I bid you good eve, ladies. I have a little sister to find.” Kieran once more bowed to Maude but didn’t even look at Arabella. Maude wondered if she’d be insulted by the slight. They watched him walk back to the doorway where he discovered Maude and disappeared into the Great Hall.
Chapter Three
Maude and Arabella didn’t speak until they reached their chamber. Once inside, Maude yanked at the laces to her gown, but Arabella swatted her hands away before they became knotted.
“What was that aboot?” Arabella checked her tone as she pulled Maude’s laces through the eyelets. She didn’t want to sound accusatory, but it had stunned her to see her friend in a man’s embrace. Not because she thought Maude didn’t deserve a man’s attention, but because she was terrified for her friend’s reputation. If anyone else found them, Maude would be betrothed as they spoke.
“I stepped outside to get some fresh air.” Maude began as she pulled the kirtle from her shoulders. The freedom eased her aching ribs. “I was aboot to come back inside when I heard my name. I stopped and listened. And now I wish I hadn’t. Madeline, Laurel, and Cairstine were discussing my many and singular flaws. They described all the ways in which I’m unappealing to a man and how my da will have to bribe a man to want me.”
Arabella snorted, then giggled before covering her mouth as her friend’s distressed expression reminded her that her reaction was inappropriate.
“They didn’t see the way Kieran MacLeod was looking at you. He was salivating as though you were the first meal he’d had in a sennight.”
“Stop, Bella. You don’t have to make me feel better.” Maude walked to the jug of lemon verbena-scented water and basin. She scrubbed her face and neck before changing out of her chemise and into her nightgown. She had given up trying to hide from Arabella while she changed, but she still turned her back.
“Gracious! Your maid did tie the gown far too snug. You have lines all across your back.” Arabella winced when she realized how much pain Maude must have endured that evening.
“She was only trying to help.”
“Everyone is always just ‘trying to help.’ I wish they’d leave you alone.” Arabella walked to her own jug of rosewater and washed her face.
“Anyway.” Maude didn’t want to discuss how her maid swore she’d make Maude appear thinner if she pulled just a little harder before tying the laces. “He came from the gardens and heard the women’s voices. He stopped and listened but noticed me. I guess I moved at some point. He sneaked up behind me and teased me aboot being too curious. When I turned around, he realized who I was. There could be little doubt since I was crying. Before I understood what was happening, he pulled me into his arms and comforted me. Then you came looking for me.”
Arabella assessed her before raising an eyebrow. “Just how long was he holding you in his arms before I came out?”
“He wasn’t holding me,” Maude denied. “He embraced me and told me not to worry aboot what they said.”
“He was holding you. I saw him. I also saw how he looked at you when you were looking at me. I can’t explain it, but it was a glare, a warning to me and concern for you. Along with a strong dose of lust.”
“Bella, don’t. I told you, you don’t need to make me feel better. I’d rather you stop trying to make me think men are interested when I know they’re not. He caught sight of my bust like most men do, but that’s it. I’m sure he could feel I’m--” Maude shook her head, unsure how to finish. “It embarrassed him when he discovered his sister’s behavior, and he tried to make me feel better. I’m sure he felt guilty.”
“He felt a few things, and guilt might have been one of them, but that’s not what I saw. He tried to protect you and pushed you behind him when I approached.”
“So he had good manners? He must have known what would happen if anyone else caught us.”
