Eli paled,taking a step back. "Me lord, I meant nay offense. I was merely trying to?—"
"Ye were merely tryingto take liberties with a lady who clearly wants nothin' to do with ye," Kenneth interrupted. "Now, I'll nae say it again. Leave."
Kenneth's hand shot out,grasping Eli's shirt in a white-knuckled fist. With a swift, forceful movement, he yanked the man close, their faces mere inches apart. Eli's eyes widened in fear as Kenneth leaned in, his voice a low, menacing whisper that sent chills down Eli's spine.
"If ye ever dare to touch heror even breathe near her again," Kenneth growled, his words barely audible but dripping with lethal intent, "I'll end yer family line. Do I make meself clear?"
Eli nodded frantically,his face pale with terror. Without another word, Kenneth shoved him roughly towards the door, which slammed shut with a resounding thud, leaving a trembling Eli on one side and a seething Kenneth on the other.
Kenneth turned to Sophie,his touch gentling as he guided her towards the door. "Go with Mary to yer chambers, lass. Ye've had enough excitement for one day."
As Sophie left,Kenneth sagged against the wall, running a hand through his hair. What in God's name had come over him? He had no right to feel so... possessive of the lass.
Kenneth's jawclenched as the image of Sophie's frightened eyes and trembling form seared itself into his mind. A fierce protectiveness surged through him, accompanied by a thought that surprised him with its intensity.
I'll be damnedif I ever let anyone make her feel that way again.
The vehemenceof his own thoughts startled him, but he couldn't deny the truth of them. From this moment on, Sophie's safety and well-being would be his utmost priority.
But the memoryof her frightened eyes and trembling form haunted him.
She will never feelthat way again.
The afternoon sunstreamed through the high windows of the great hall as Kenneth stood rigidly by the fireplace, his eyes fixed on Sophie and her latest suitor. The man, a portly laird from a neighboring clan, sat too close to Sophie for Kenneth's comfort.
"And what doye think of falconry, me lady?" the man asked, leaning in closer to Sophie.
Kenneth's handtightened on his goblet, his knuckles turning white. He watched as Sophie shifted subtly away, her discomfort evident in the tight set of her shoulders.
"I...I'm afraid I daenae ken much about it, me laird," Sophie replied politely.
The man'sface lit up. "Oh, but ye must allow me to teach ye! There's nothin' quite like the thrill of the hunt, feeling the bird take flight from yer arm..."
As he spoke,he reached out, his fingers brushing Sophie's arm. Kenneth felt a growl building in his chest, the urge to intervene nearly overwhelming.
"Me lady,"he called out, his voice cutting through the tension in the room. "I believe ye promised to show our guest the tapestries in the east wing."
Sophie's reliefwas palpable as she stood. "Of course, me laird. If ye'll follow me, me laird?"
The suitor rose,clearly disappointed at the interruption. As they made their way towards the door, he attempted to place his hand on the small of Sophie's back. Without thinking, Kenneth strode forward, "accidentally" bumping into a side table. The vase atop it teetered precariously before crashing to the floor, shattering into a thousand pieces.
"Blast,"Kenneth said, his voice devoid of any real concern. "How clumsy of me. I'm afraid we'll have to postpone the tour while this is cleaned up. Perhaps another time?"
The man's face fell,but he could hardly argue with the laird. With a stiff bow, he took his leave, casting one last longing glance at Sophie.
As the doorclosed behind him, Kenneth met Sophie's eyes. For a moment, he thought he saw a flicker of understanding, perhaps even gratitude, in her gaze. But then she looked away, and the moment was gone. The afternoon brought another bachelor, and Kenneth found himself unable to leave Sophie alone with the man. He prowled the edges of the room like a caged beast, his eyes never straying far from Sophie's form.
Every timethe bachelor moved too close, Kenneth felt a growl building in his chest. When the man tried to hug Sophie goodbye, Kenneth lifted his gaze to meet the other man's in a vicious stare. The bachelor froze in place, staring back at him in a mix of confusion and fear.
"Sir?"Sophie asked, bewilderment edging her voice.
The bachelor lowered his arms,clearing his throat in a vain attempt to make the situation less awkward, "I'll be on me way."
Sophie and Kennethwatched him stumble from the room, Kenneth swallowing his satisfaction at scaring the man off.
As the days passed,three more bachelors came and went, each dismissed swiftly at Kenneth's command. Sophie maintained her quiet demeanor with all of them, a far cry from the spirited lass she usually is.
Kenneth couldn't helpbut feel a twinge of guilt. He had promised to find Sophie a husband, to give her the freedom she so desperately craved. But each time a suitor arrived, he found himself inventing reasons why they weren't good enough. Too short, too tall, too brash, too meek – none of them measured up to the impossible standard he had set in his mind.
