Kenneth felt his jaw clench,a retort rising to his lips. But as he gazed at Sophie, at the steel in her spine and the challenge in her eyes, he found his irritation giving way to a reluctant admiration. This was no meek maiden to be coddled and controlled, but a woman who knew her own mind.
"Very well,"he conceded, the words escaping on a weary sigh. "Let's embark on this grand tour of yers, then. Though I warn ye, Lady Sophie, choose wisely. I'll not have ye changing yer mind with each new sunrise."
They madetheir way through the keep, Sophie inspecting each room with a critical eye. Kenneth found himself studying her as she moved, noting the grace in her movements, the way her eyes lit up when something caught her interest.
Finally,they came to a chamber with large windows and bright, airy furnishings. Sophie's face lit up with a radiant smile. "This one," she declared. "It's perfect."
Kenneth felthis breath catch in his throat. The smile transformed her face, lending it a beauty that was almost painful to behold. In that moment, she wasn't just the girl he'd rescued or the ward he'd promised to protect. She was a woman, vibrant and alive, and Kenneth felt something shift inside him.
Before he could stop himself,he reached out, his fingers tracing the curve of her lips. Sophie's eyes widened, her breath hitching. For a moment, the world narrowed to just the two of them, the air thick with unspoken tension.
Kenneth jerkedhis hand back as if burned. What in God's name was he doing? He'd made a promise to Colette, sworn to protect this lass, not... not whatever this was. "I... I must go," he muttered, turning on his heel and all but fleeing the room.
As he strodedown the corridor, Kenneth's mind raced. He'd faced down armies, stared death in the eye more times than he could count. But this slip of a girl, with her endless chatter and radiant smiles, threatened to undo him completely.
He reachedhis own chambers and slammed the door behind him, leaning against it with a ragged breath. He'd made a promise, damn it all. He wouldn't take advantage of Sophie, wouldn't let these unwelcome feelings cloud his judgment. She needed a protector, not... whatever it was his traitorous heart was suggesting.
But as heclosed his eyes, all he could see was that smile, bright as the Highland sun and sweeter than a ripe blaeberry. Kenneth Elloway, the feared Laird MacAdams, had faced many challenges in his life.
But none,he realized with a sinking feeling, quite like this.
CHAPTER THREE
Kenneth sat at the head of the breakfast table, his mind already on the day's tasks ahead. The quiet murmur of conversation and the clinking of cutlery filled the air when suddenly, the doors burst open. Lachlan, his man-at-arms, rushed in, his face flushed with urgency.
"Me laird,"Lachlan whispered breathlessly, leaning close to Kenneth's ear. "There's an altercation at the castle gates. It's Lady Sophie's brother. He's brought Mistress Colette, and she's in a bad way."
Kenneth's blood ran cold.He stood abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the stone floor. "Sophie, stay here," he commanded, his voice brooking no argument. "It's nae safe."
But as hestrode towards the door, he heard the rustle of skirts behind him. Turning, he saw Sophie following, her chin set in determination.
"I said stay here,"he growled.
"It's me brother,"Sophie replied, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes. "I'm comin'."
Kenneth grumbledunder his breath about stubborn women, but he didn't have time to argue. "Fine, but stay behind me," he ordered, setting off at a brisk pace.
As they reached the courtyard,Kenneth's eyes narrowed at the scene before him. Mason Allen stood at the gates, roughly holding up a battered and bruised Colette. The moment he saw Sophie, a cruel smile twisted his lips, and he let Colette drop unceremoniously to the ground.
Sophie gasped,moving to rush forward, but Kenneth's hand shot out, grasping her wrist firmly. "Daenae," he said, his voice low and dangerous.
Mason'scold eyes flicked between them. "Give me back me sister," he snarled, "and we'll let this whole unfortunate incident go."
Kenneth felt a surge of possessiveness,mixed with a fierce protectiveness he'd never experienced before. "Nay," he said, his voice calm but laced with steel. "Sophie is mine now."
He sawSophie shiver out of the corner of his eye, but he kept his gaze fixed on Mason.
"I've vowed to protect her,"Kenneth continued, "and I will, nay matter what."
Mason's facecontorted with rage. "This means war, MacAdams," he spat.
Kenneth's lipscurled into a cold, dangerous smile. "I'll be waitin'," he replied, his voice so menacing that Sophie shuddered beside him.
With a final glare,Mason spat on the ground and turned on his heel, storming away. Only when he was out of sight did Kenneth relax his grip on Sophie's wrist.
"Lachlan,"he called, "take Lady Sophie inside." As his man-at-arms led Sophie away, Kenneth moved to Colette's side, gently lifting her into his arms and carrying her towards the healer's quarters.
As he carried Colette,Kenneth's mind raced with the implications of what had just transpired. He had known this was a possibility when he'd taken Sophie from her brother's keep, but the reality of it still hit him hard.
