But as thefeast began in earnest, Kenneth pushed those dangerous thoughts aside. He had a role to play, a duty to fulfill. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, to give in to the temptation that Sophie represented.
Throughout the meal,Kenneth found his attention constantly drawn to Sophie. She laughed and chatted with the guests, her natural charm winning over even the most skeptical of his clansmen. He marveled at her ability to put people at ease, to make them feel heard and valued.
As the evening wore on,the music grew livelier, and couples began to take to the floor for dancing. Kenneth watched as Sophie was swept away by one partner after another, her face alight with joy as she twirled and laughed.
I should bethe one making her laugh like that.
"Ye're a fool, ye ken that?"Colette's voice cut through his brooding thoughts.
Kenneth turnedto find his old teacher watching him with a kening look. "I daenae ken what ye're talking about," he grumbled.
Colette snorted,clearly unimpressed. "Daenae play dumb with me, lad. I've kenned ye too long for that. Ye're sitting here, watching yer bride dance with every man but ye, and ye're too stubborn to do anything about it."
Kenneth felt his jaw clench."It's nae that simple, Colette."
"Isnae it?"she challenged. "Ye love her. Anyone with eyes can see it. So why are ye fighting it so hard?"
"Because love is a weakness,"Kenneth growled, the words tasting bitter on his tongue. "I cannae afford to be weak. Nae now, nae ever."
Colette's expression softened."Oh, me boy. Love isnae weakness. It's the greatest strength a person can have. And if ye daenae realize that soon, ye might lose the best thing that's ever happened to ye."
Kenneth's eyesnarrowed as he watched Sophie twirl across the dance floor in the arms of Laird MacDougall, a visiting clan chief. The man's hand seemed to rest a bit too low on Sophie's back for Kenneth's liking, and the way he leaned in to whisper in her ear made Kenneth's blood boil.
Without conscious thought,Kenneth found himself on his feet, striding purposefully towards the dancing couple. His jaw clenched as he saw Sophie laugh at something MacDougall said, her cheeks flushed and eyes bright.
"Mind if I cut in?"Kenneth growled, his voice low and dangerous as he reached the pair.
MacDougall looked startled,then wary as he took in Kenneth's thunderous expression. "Of course, Laird MacAdams," he said, stepping back quickly. "I was just?—"
"Ye were just leaving,"Kenneth interrupted, his tone brooking no argument. He placed a possessive hand on Sophie's waist, drawing her close to his side.
Sophie's eyeswidened in surprise, darting between Kenneth and the retreating MacDougall. "Kenneth, what?—"
"Dance with me,"Kenneth demanded, though his touch remained gentle as he guided Sophie into the proper position.
As they beganto move to the music, Kenneth's body thrumming with a mixture of jealousy and desire, Sophie looked up at him with a mixture of confusion and something that looked suspiciously like hope.
"Me laird,"she said softly, "is everything alright?"
Kenneth's gripon her waist tightened slightly. "Aye," he said gruffly. "Everything's fine. I just... I didn't like seeing another man's hands on me wife."
A small smileplayed at Sophie's lips. "Is that so?" she murmured, her voice teasing. "And here I thought ye didn't care who I danced with."
Kenneth's eyeslocked with hers, intense and filled with an emotion he wasn't ready to name. "Ye're mine, Sophie," he said, his voice low and husky. "Daenae ye forget it."
As he ledSophie onto the dance floor, Kenneth felt the eyes of the entire hall upon them. He moved stiffly at first, unused to such intimacy. But as the music washed over them, he found himself relaxing, allowing Sophie to guide him through the steps.
"Ye've mademe very happy today, Kenneth," Sophie murmured, her eyes meeting his. "Thank ye for... for everything."
Kenneth felta lump form in his throat. He wanted to tell her that she deserved so much more, that he wished he could give her the love and devotion she truly deserved. But the words wouldn't come.
Instead,he pulled her closer, his arm tightening around her waist. "Ye honor me by becoming me wife, Sophie," he said softly. "I'll do me best to be worthy of ye."
As the dance ended,Kenneth found himself reluctant to let Sophie go. But the feast was far from over, and there were still many guests to greet and toasts to be made.
For the restof the night, Kenneth found his resolve wavering. Every time he caught Sophie's eye across the room, every time her hand brushed his as they sat side by side, he felt his carefully constructed walls begin to crumble.
As the celebrationfinally began to wind down, Kenneth realized that he was standing at a crossroads. He could continue to deny his feelings… or he could take a chance, could open his heart to the possibility of love and all the joy and pain that came with it.
