“I met her last eve.”
His response made the priest pause, and the expression of shock might have been comical if Kieran’s temper wasn’t already on the brink of getting the better of him. Father Michael turned away and reached overhead to lift a basket from a top shelf. As his arms extended, his sleeves slid down his arms, and Kieran was surprised to see the corded muscles in his forearms. He’d felt them when they shook hands but seeing them confirmed his suspicions. This man was familiar with physical labor that went beyond anything that a priest would know, even those who served as farmers.
“I wasn’t born a priest, ye ken,” Father Michael let his burr surface and smiled at Kieran’s obvious surprise. “I’m a Sutherland. I’ve kenned Lady Maude since we were weans.”
“You’re a long way from home.”
“Aye, but I was able to secure a place at this monastery, which is what I wanted. I heard God’s calling and wanted to join the Augustinians. Aye, I trained as a warrior before I trained as a novice. I was fortunate that my father allowed me to follow my calling.”
“Very lucky indeed.” Kieran found he couldn’t muster more than a few brusque words at a time. He recognized the emotion that had a stranglehold on him. It was jealousy. He recognized it as one he experienced often as a child when his mother paid more attention to his sisters and overlooked him except to chastise him. Except this time, his jealousy wasn’t over not receiving a sweetmeat or attention. It was about a woman. The emotion choked him, but he couldn’t seem to push it aside. He realized it was illogical to feel this way after meeting the woman less than a day ago, but he did. And it was even more irrational to be jealous of a priest, but he was.
“Lady Maude is a kind soul. She’s always had a talent for healing. I ken she’s missed back at Sutherland, but Queen Elizabeth requested Maude serve her. Fortunately, her sister, Blair, is there. Blair often overshadows Maude, but I think Maude prefers that. She can hide that way.” Father Michael added the bunches to the basket Kieran set on the table, but he stopped to look Kieran squarely in the eye. “The other boys and I weren’t very kind to her when we were younger. It hurt her deeply. She made herself ill trying to fix what we said were her flaws. Her brother and I fought more than one of other the boys our age once we learned how she’d taken our taunts to heart. Lachlan and I made certain the other boys kenned we’d erred and made certain they stopped. While her health improved, I think the damage was already done. She’s not shy by nature; she’s painfully insecure.”
Father Michael handed the full basket to Kieran and came around the table before walking to the door. He stepped through into the bright sun and waited for Kieran. When both sets of eyes adjusted to the light, Father Michael turned back to Kieran.
“I don’t ken what you intend, but if it’s aught less than honorable, be assured I will find you. I may be a priest, but I’m also a warrior. Don’t let the robe and tonsure fool you. I haven’t forgotten the skills drilled into me for years. Play her for a fool, and I will be sure it’s more than just God’s wrath that rains down on you.”
Before Kieran had the opportunity to respond, Maude walked toward them with an overflowing basket that she struggled to carry. Kieran aided Maude rather than argue with the priest.
“Thank you once more. Until next time, cousin.” Maude grinned as she shook out her arm before wrapping her arms around the priest, who pinched her cheek before she gave him a peck on his own.
“Take care, lass. Send for me if you need aught.” Father Michael proffered a chaste kiss on her cheek before smirking at Kieran. Maude looked back and forth between the two men. Her cousin had grown into one of her closest companions. They had a rough patch during their adolescence, but they’d become close again just before Michael left for the abbey. When she arrived at court, it relieved her to discover the monastery’s proximity to the castle. She was able to visit every few weeks. Between Blair and Michael, the early days of being at court were tolerable. With Arabella’s friendship, she was able to survive the rigors of her service and navigate the treachery of the other ladies-in-waiting. As her gaze settled on Kieran, she had a shocking realization that she already accepted that Kieran would be an important person in her life. She wasn’t sure how she was so confident about her intuition, but she was.
When they reached the horses, Father Michael stepped forward with his arms outstretched to assist Maude onto her horse, but Kieran stepped in front of him, using his larger frame to prevent the priest from reaching Maude. His fingers tingled as they gripped Maude’s trim waist. He forced himself to release her as soon as she was in the saddle. He tied the baskets back onto her saddle and mounted his own steed. They rode out of the gate, and Kieran watched as Maude turned back once to wave to her cousin. He felt foolish that he’d wanted to plow his fist into the priest’s gut, but how was he to know the man was her kin? Neither said anything until the end of the visit. Maude glanced at Kieran, but the scowl that remained in place convinced her to remain silent. He realized his surliness made her retreat, but he wasn’t prepared to converse with her guards in earshot.
Chapter Five
Maude breathed a silent sigh of relief half an hour later when they rode into the bailey. Her head hurt, and she wanted nothing more than to slip into a hot bath, request a tray for the evening meal, and spend time alone until she fell asleep. Kieran helped her down once more, but he didn’t allow his body anywhere near hers. He unfastened the baskets and shook his head when Maude tried to take them.
“No, Maude. They’re cumbersome. I’ll take them wherever you need. Point me in the right direction.” Kieran accepted that his foul mood had ruined the outing that started out with Maude smiling and laughing and ended with her trying to rub her temple inconspicuously.
“Thank you, but I must put everything away in their place to make sure they keep.”
“Let me help you.” Kieran looked into her smoky brown eyes. The hue closest to her pupils was like young whisky that had only been in the barrel a few months, but the outer iris was the deep amber of the barrel-aged spirit, and he wanted to drown in both colors of her open and questioning gaze. “Please let me help you. I’ll explain when there aren’t so many ears to overhear us.”
Maude nodded and led the way to the castle’s spense. When they arrived, Kieran wanted to groan because the monk who oversaw the storage room was there. He wanted to speak to Maude alone. If he was to humble himself, he didn’t want an audience.
“Lady Maude, I am relieved you brought more supplies from the abbey. We sorely need skullcap and lungwort. I hope you brought bunches of each.”
“Good afternoon, Master Spenser. I have both in abundance. I will put everything away. You needn’t linger on my account. It must be getting close to the evening meal, and the other priests will expect you.”
“That they will, my lady.” He glanced at Kieran and furrowed his brow, unsure if he should leave the unwed couple together.
“Laird MacLeod will assist with the items that belong beyond my reach. It’ll only take us a few minutes, and then we will be on our way, too. I must ready for the evening.”
“Very well, my lady. Then I shall bid you a good eve.”
“Thank you,” Maude nodded.
Kieran had taken a place by the door after placing the baskets on the floor. He stood across the room from Maude, ostensibly to appear as though he wouldn’t act untoward to her, but he wanted to close the door behind the man and ensure no one would walk in on them. Maude heard the key click in the lock and crossed her arms.
“Explain.”
“Which part? Why I locked the door or why I was an utter arse all afternoon?”
“Both,” Maude’s clipped tone warned Kieran that he had better not dawdle in his apology and explanation.
“I locked the door because I don’t want anyone to interrupt me eating crow.” When Maude’s eyes darted between the lock and Kieran, he put his hands up. “I won’t keep you trapped here. You can leave at any time. I won’t force you to remain. I’ll never force you. Ever.”
