“Me laird… a letter arrived just as ye left fer the village.”
Kenneth broke the seal at once.
Laird Halvard’s handwriting sprawled across the page – curt, authoritative, lacking altogether in the niceties of a polite exchange between lairds, but coming straight to the point.
The message confirmed every word Selene had told him. As she’d insisted, the birlinn she was travelling with under her brother-in-law’s guardianship, was enroute to Duntulm to deliver his message. Just as she’d said, Halvard wished to discuss with Kenneth the ongoing conflicts between fishermen from both clans in the Sound of Sleat.
It all seemed innocent enough. There was no reason for him to doubt Halvard’s word and nothing to suggest that Lady Selene was anything other than a lass travelling to reunite with her sister.
The letter continued in the same clipped manner. He was sending men to collect Selene and take her to Raasay. He expected her to be safe and well. His men would escort her.
Kenneth’s jaw clenched. He should have welcomed this message. After all, it meant he could be rid of the burden of keeping the lass out of harm’s way.
Yet his spirits fell. He had no wish to send Selene to Raasay.
It was then that the truth washed over him like a wave in a stormy sea. remained perfectly still, catching his breath. The room went suddenly too quiet, too still, as realization bounced on his skull like a hammer blow.
God help me.
I care fer her.
I want her.
More than I should.
More than makes sense.
More than is safe.
He sat with that new discovery for several long moments, his heart pounding in his chest. Then he rose to his feet and went in search of Selene.
He found her in the solar, quietly playing the harpsichord and singing a sweet old-fashioned song about thwarted lovers and red and white roses in bloom.
He watched her silently from the doorway for a few moments, his heart melting at the soft, dreamy expression on her lovely face.
He tapped on the open door before entering and she turned to him with a wry smile and an approving nod.
“See, I knocked. I am learning yer English ways,” he muttered as he pushed the door fully open and entered.
She laughed, her eyes sparkling as their gazes met.
Dammit, he had no wish for her to leave him.
He passed her Halvard’s letter and took a seat by the fire, waiting, as she read it in silence. Folding the letter and placing it in her lap she looked up at him, a mix of fear, longing, and confusion flickering in her blue eyes.
Something that mirror-matched the swirling emotion in his own chest.
“This has caught me a little by surprise.” She turned to the window and gazed out at the distant sea. “I thought we had more time… I had more time…”
Her words hung in the air between them. He had also thought there would be more time with her.
And time was running out.
“Aye lass. Yet we’ve nae way tae ken when Halvard’s men will be here. But I’m wagering they’ll nae be more than a day or so behind his missive.”
She sighed. “So, they may be here as soon as tomorrow.”
“Aye. That is so. Ye’d best prepare fer yer departure as soon as ye’re able.”
