Kenneth nodded."Found him holed up in an old shepherd's bothy, nae three miles from his own village. The hardest part," he found himself saying, "was learning to trust those instincts. Me faither... he always said I was too weak, too hesitant. Called me a disappointment to the clan's name."
He stopped,realizing he'd said more than he'd intended. But Sophie didn't look at him with pity, as he'd feared. Instead, her eyes held understanding and something warmer.
"Even after Ibecame the best tracker in the clan," he continued, the words spilling out now, "he never acknowledged it. Nothin' I did was ever good enough for him."
"Yer faither was wrong,"Sophie said firmly, reaching across the desk to place her hand over his. "Ye're one of the strongest men I ken, Kenneth Elloway. And one of the wisest. A truly weak man wouldnae care so much for his people, wouldnae work so hard to protect them."
The touchof her hand sent sparks through Kenneth's body. He stared at their joined hands, marveling at how small and delicate hers looked against his larger one. When he lifted his gaze to her face, he found her watching him with an intensity that made his breath catch.
"Sophie,"he breathed, his voice hoarse. She was so close now, having risen slightly from her chair. He could see the golden flecks in her green eyes, the slight part of her lips. The scent of heather enveloped him, making his head spin. Without conscious thought, he began to lean forward.
The door burstopen with a bang, making them both jump. Sophie snatched her hand back as if burned, a bright blush staining her cheeks.
"Ken!"Arabella's voice rang out. "Ye'll never believe what—oh!"
Lachlan appeared behind her,slightly out of breath. "I tried to stop her, me laird," he said, shooting an exasperated look at Arabella. "But ye ken how she is when she's got somethin' in her head."
Kenneth scowled at the interruption,even as Sophie stepped back, putting proper distance between them. "What is it, Arabella?" he growled, his voice rougher than usual.
His sister,however, was looking between him and Sophie with a knowing smile. "Did I interrupt somethin'?" she asked innocently, though her eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Nay,"Kenneth said firmly, ignoring the pang in his chest at the hurt that flashed across Sophie's face. "Yer timin' is perfect. Lady Sophie was just leavin'."
Sophie straightened her spine,lifting her chin in that proud way that never failed to captivate him. "Aye, I was," she said, her voice carefully controlled. "Thank ye for the ink, me laird."
Kenneth watched her leave,fighting the urge to call her back. Her scent lingered in the air, a sweet torment that made his fingers itch to pull her close again.
Once she was gone,he turned his glare on his sister. "What was so urgent it couldnae wait for a proper summons?"
But Arabella wasn't cowedby his dark mood. She dropped into the chair Sophie had vacated, arranging her skirts with deliberate care. "Nothin' that cannae wait until ye tell me what I just interrupted," she said, grinning. "I havenae seen ye look at anyone like that since... well, ever."
"Ye interrupted nothin',"Kenneth insisted, though the lingering warmth of Sophie's hand on his said otherwise.
"Och, is that so?"Arabella leaned forward, her expression turning serious. "Then why do ye look like ye want to murder me right now? Face it, brother. Ye're fallin' for her."
"I'm doin'nay such thing," Kenneth growled, shuffling papers on his desk to avoid his sister's knowing gaze. "Now, unless ye have actual business to discuss..."
"Fine, keep yer secrets,"Arabella said, rising with a dramatic sigh. "But ye cannae fool me, Kenneth. I saw the way ye were lookin' at her – like she's the sun and ye've been too long in darkness."
He refused to respond,merely giving her a warning look.
"Now, about why I really came,"she continued, ignoring his glare and smoothing her skirts. "Ye cannae keep treatin' me like a child, brother. I want to help with the Highland Assembly celebrations."
Kenneth's jaw tightened."We discussed this at dinner last night?—"
"Nay,ye dismissed me at dinner last night," Arabella corrected, her chin lifting in a way that reminded him remarkably of Sophie. "I'm nae askin' to lead the negotiations. I just want to help organize the festivities. The other clans will be bringin'their daughters – it would look strange if yer own sister wasnae involved."
"Arabella—"
"She has a point,"Lachlan interjected from the doorway. "The lass has a good head for these things. And it would show the other clans that the MacAdams women are respected members of the household."
Kenneth rana hand through his hair, recognizing the political wisdom in their words. "Very well," he conceded. "Ye can help with the preparations. But?—"
"Thank ye!"Arabella beamed, cutting off his conditions as she rushed forward to kiss his cheek. "Ye willnae regret this, brother."
After Arabella flounced out,Lachlan lingered in the doorway. "She's nae wrong, ye ken," he said quietly. "Lady Sophie... she's good for ye."
Kenneth didn't respond,and after a moment, Lachlan followed Arabella, closing the door softly behind him.
