“Aye…” Finlay looked warily at him. “MacAinsley men were spotted outside the castle and at the village borders.”
The feud between the two neighboring clans went back many years. Each wanted to claim the fertile land between their territories. Neither was willing to give it up. In fact, each argued that their claim went back more than one hundred years. Caden had heard the story so many times he was sick of it.
The MacCabes were the true owners of the land. Granted, it had passed through many hands after battles won and lost. At some point, it had even been controlled by the MacAinsleys. But for the past fifty years, the land had returned in the MacCabes’ possession, and Caden had no intention of that changing.
It was won in a battle his grandfather and father had fought valiantly. His grandfather had lost his life in that battle. It was their homeland, and they were not going to give it up. Caden would rather die than lose the land for which his family had fought so hard.
Often, he would task Finlay with keeping an eye on the MacAinsleys and their movements. However, at this moment, he could not care less. Their tactics had grown dull as of late. Hismind was rather fixated on a redhead whose lips he needed to claim.
“Och, nay need to fret, Braither. I’m nae. Our men are strong. Even if MacAinsley declares war, we will win.” He waved a dismissive hand.
“I’m nae fretting; they’re all dead,” Finlay said, as if he should care.
In reality, Caden was not listening to what his brother was saying at all.
“Good. Good work, Braither,” he said absent-mindedly, before rising to his feet and making his way out of the study. He did not see the curious look on his brother’s face.
The entire time he was getting ready for bed, images of Ava flashed before him like fog above the loch. He had been certain she was going to kiss him tonight, especially after he so clearly gave in to her rule. Not that he offered to help her sister just to steal a kiss. He would do so anyway.
But he hated being wrong. Hated her for getting into his head.
Desire smoldered from deep within him and turned the hatred into something entirely new. Longing and possessiveness curled through his chest. His imagination ran wild with what he would do to her when she finally let go and surrender her mind and body to him. He could see she wanted to. He just had to wait.
He tossed and turned in his bed, unable to sleep.
I have to do something about these blasted thoughts sooner or later. She is me wife, after all.
CHAPTER 15
The following morning,Caden woke up to snow blanketing the grounds. It was waist-high and still coming down, but not as heavy as the night before. Trees were felled by the icy wind, but the snow was piled too high to safely open the front doors without massive drifts flowing in.
It was not a rare occurrence. In fact, they anticipated this every year, even prepared for it. They knew well how to deal with the aftermath of such storms. But for now, the only thing they could do was wait.
Heat radiated from the fireplace in the dining room, where Finlay, Nathan, and Ava sat at the table, enjoying breakfast.
Caden’s eyes drifted to his beautiful wife the moment he had stepped in. His mind replayed everything that happened and everything he wished had happened last night. Ava’s gown; with its golden hue, complemented her complexion.
“Morning, Caden.” Finlay waved his cup toward him. “At least Kilmartin’s men willnae be bothering us today!” He took a swig of whatever was in the goblet. Knowing his brother, it was probably ale.
Ava paused in chewing on her eggs and scowled at the table. Nathan looked up, keenly aware of the shift in her mood.
“What is it?” Caden asked, ready to move mountains and slay armies to get that look off her face.
Ye’re being a bit dramatic, Caden. She probably bit into some eggshell or something.
“I ken that name.” She frowned. Her long fingers drummed on the antique wooden table, making him antsy.
He wanted to smooth the frown from her beautiful face, to soften the lines around her eyes, and to still her hand. He was so captivated by her that he did not notice Finlay staring at him with a smug smile. As for Nathan, he looked curiously around the table.
“I was supposed to marry him. Oh God!” Ava shouted, dropping her fork. “What do ye mean, he willnae be bothering us today? Has he been here? Do ye ken him?” She looked to Finlay for answers.
Caden’s stomach churned.
“Aye.” Finlay nodded and reached out to pat her on the shoulder. “He’s our enemy, Ava.”
Caden dug his nails into his palms.
“I cannae believe it. I cannae believe I almost married him.” Ava stared down at her plate.
