His tone was absolute. “You speak as if this was your own fault in being caught; nae, Keirah. ’Twasnot.” He brushed the damp hairs from her temple. “Upon the morrow we shall commence regarding archery trainin’. Originally, I had considered Sir Brayden, but Alec is equally gifted with the bow.”
At the mention of his friend, she inquired, “Why does Sir Brayden find sudden interest in the terrain beneath his toes when I appear?”
Aonghus took a deep breath. “Well, Sir James prefers to hail him as Sir Shy – whenever a lassie draws near Sir Brayden, he tightens in a manner belonging more to an ocean clam than a knight,” he explained. “It has grown worse in times of late.”
Her curiosity was strong at a topic which did not include Northmen or war. “The reason?”
“A lady in waiting for Queen Margaret has returned to Stirling bringing with her word of the queen consort still residing in Edinburgh regarding the royal bairn to be.”
“The queen consort is with child?”
“Aye.”
Her eyes lowered.This will never be me.
“Cluaran.” She kept her gaze looking at the tiny sprig near his taut nipple. “You yearn for this as well?”
She peeped, “Aye.” Her eyes raised; his brow was furrowed. “’Twill never come to pass, so dwelling may only unleash ill feelings.” He opened his mouth to reply.There’s that determined expression in his eyes. “Please, MacCade, I wish to speak upon it nae more.”Focus on hope.“Sir Brayden, he fancies this lady in waiting to the queen consort?”
Aonghus paused, then nodded. “Very much, for quite some time now. Lady Maise.”
“How endearing.” A welcome smile graced her lips. “Then you must have Sir Brayden tend to my lessons regarding archery. The trade shall be even; he teaches me the art of the arrow, and I will help him conquer a conversation with this Lady Maise.”
“It shall be arranged.”
She pivoted onto the topic he mentioned. “Queen Margaret,” she began. “To consider her maidenhead veil was broken in a bedchamber with a gathering of onlookers taking heed in the act belonging to consummation, as is a royal’s duties.” A grim shiver took her. “She was only ten and one, with her husband a year younger, when they wed!”
“The act did keep till later in age,” he added.
“True,” she agreed. “Still” – she gave another quiver – “to be with your husband before a captive audience…I am thankful we arenotof their station, when your hands found my flesh and removed my garments for your sight this eve.” She glanced at the nest on the floor, then his attire, which still consisted of braies and chausse and waist strap. “MacCade, I would care a great deal to have you here with me the remainder of the eve till dawn. What say you?”
His hand found her bare backside, giving a squeeze in reply. Releasing a gasp with a sigh, she laid her head once more onto his torso, finding the loveliest trench between the muscles lining his shoulder and collarbone which seemed created only for her –Ahh.In three breaths, exhaustion claimed her after the disturbing night-glance. But had she ever felt safer? Never.
Chapter 19
Stunning!Half asleep with Keirah’s weight in curves draped over him – if only he could remain this way forever. He had sworn to Torsten he would hunt Lord Kollungr, but at the expense of abandoning Keirah? Particularly after seeing the fear marked clear upon her expression when she recounted the event which took her into the devil’s grasp? No. He would remain at her side; her tender request to have him remain close had taken him aback at how much he longed for the same.
The time would come to extract his vengeance for all she had suffered. Suffered. The wistful look in her eyes at never being with child tortured him. Those who marveled at her instinct in senses at Alexander’s court never considered the burden which came with the element. It seemed there was more than one ‘cost of measure’, like her scream of pain when she had whipped off the bed the same as a doe falling off a cliff. Had this cry given him the strength to somehow dive forward with both arms to catch her mid-air? Aye. For a breath he feared he still would not reach her in time. No –Remain by her side. Kollungr would keep his head on his shoulders – a short moment more.
BANG! BANG!Who the hell was that?
“SIR AONGHUS!” Sir James bellowed outside the door.
Keirah dashed up, her hair a swirling mass about her bare shoulders. What the devil would cause Sir James to summon him so harshly? Something was wrong. He tucked Keirah gently toward the side and she quickly tugged the sheet, covering herself, while he bolted off the bed.
“He sounds fearful,” she said, her tone still rough from sleep.
He looked over his shoulder – good, she was covered. She may think Sir James was only wanting to win her hand for the challenge of it, but he had seen the look in his rival’s eyes. The captain of the royal guard desired her right from the first moment he groped her in the bailey.
The pounding started up again, sounding like a herd of stags on the wood frame.
“Aonghus.” She looked at his lower half. “Attire. We are to seem consummated towardanyprying eyes.”
He nodded. “Aye.”
Her lips formed a big O and her eyes grew round as the table when he stripped off all his final garments while facing her. Bare-arsed, he charged for the door.Crash!He threw back the board, which thundered onto the ground, then ripped open the entryway.
Sir James’s eyes bulged slightly at the lack of attire by the gatekeeper. “Is King Alexander well?” Aonghus asked, instantly.
