"I mean it."
"As do I."
8
"Mind explainin' what that was all about?" Fraser asked the second Killian stormed back into the study. Killian pursed his lips into a tight line as his attention shifted between Brandon and Fraser.
"Nay," Killian answered plainly as he made his way back to his desk and plopped down. Anger flared within him as he played back the past fifteen minutes. How could a woman as delicate and tiny as Leah hold so much control overhim? The thought had befuddled him more than he liked.
It has to be the way she defies me. That is why I'm so fascinated by her when nayone else evokes such raw energy out of me. The lass is infuriatin'.
"So, ye're just goin' to sit in yer chair and brood. Lovely," Fraser said. Sarcasm dripped from each word as Killian watched his eyes roll. The fear on Brandon's face shattered Killian's anger. It was the response Killian was expecting, one that made sense. So why didn't Leah's reaction to him stir the same response?
Killian flashed daggers at Fraser. Brandon cleared his throat and stood straight. There was no hiding the shock and terror warring on Brandon's face.
"I believe I should be goin' now," Brandon said as he quickly shuffled the ledgers and placed them on the shelf haphazardly. Arching an eyebrow, Killian watched the books topple from misplacement and crash. The panic shot to utter petrified terror as Brandon fumbled to pick the books back up, only to see them tumble once again.
"Will ye just leave them," Killian ordered as he leaned back in his chair, the ire and frustration boiling to the surface.
"Aye, of course, forgive me," Brandon stammered as he glanced at Fraser, giving him an apologetic smile before making a beeline for the door.
"Alright, now ye goin' to tell me what is goin' on?" Fraser asked as he walked to the pile of ledgers on the ground. Shaking his head, he picked them up one by one, annoyed by Brandon's lack of spine.
"Someone is out to get me," Killian whispered in a conspiratorial tone as his eyes shifted to the door.
Fraser rose slowly, the annoyance on his face palpable. Killian didn't have to know what he was going to say; the words were displayed across his forehead.
"We've talked about this," Fraser said. "And ye said it yerself, the council was convening for the sake of seein' ye married off."
"Was it nae ye who told me to trust me gut?" Killian asked as he moved swiftly to the door to bolt it shut.
"And I thought we came to the understandin' that ye cannae always trust that."
"Aye, which brings me to point three," Killian said as he returned to Fraser's side. "Ye told me to come to ye if somethin' wasnae addin' up."
"The only thin' nae addin' up here is ye and the new healer. What's her role in all this?"
"What makes ye think she's involved?" Killian asked, stunned by Fraser's quick wit to connect her to his plan.
"Come now," Fraser said, rolling his eyes. "Ye think I havenae noticed the way ye've been since she arrived. So what gives?"
"The council is plannin' the ceilidh and thinkin' they're goin' to introduce me to a future wife," Killian started.
"And ye brought her in as a ploy?" Fraser asked. "Nae very clever. The council is already suspect of her presence here."
"Nae if she's here on the behalf of me brother," Killian answered. "Sean brought her as a gift. As far as anyone kens, she's a prisoner here that's been granted free reign as long as she tends to me brother's health."
"She's yer insider since Sean brought her to ye," Fraser chuckled darkly. "That's clever."
"Aye, and if anyone ever asks, our meetings are only ever about Mason's well bein'. They'll nae have a leg to stand on to accuse otherwise."
"Ye might even be able to use her to listen to the council's whispers. Ye ken how they are around yer brother."
"Aye," Killian answered as he bobbed his head. "Half speak to him as if he's already dead and the other half never come around. But havin' extra set of ears will help to get a better idea of who is behind the uprisin'."
"Speakin' of which," Fraser said. "What did ye want to do about the brigands? Our men are thin as it is."
"Maybe a solid show of force," Killian said as he rubbed the stubble on his chin. The plot molded and twisted until it formed in his mind. "Have the men on three hour watches each post. Have them rotate. That way there will be eyes on the roads, on the coast and in random villages along the way. We'll be able to keep them on their toes."
