Bryce laughed, as he deflected it, feeling a little better already, but he was eager to see Lorna again. He had worried about her all night, and he wanted to make sure she was feeling a little bit better before he left. That would make his heart not ache so much when he rode away. She was a grown woman, but he had known her since she was little, and he could feel the old protectiveness for her. Suddenly, Athol pulled away from their match and looked up at the inner battlements of the keep.
“Och, it seems we have an audience!” he said with a laugh, making Bryce turn to look. Kyla and Lorna stood on the wall, looking down at them. Even though they were at a distance, he could see Lorna’s surprised expression. She waved at her brother but then hurriedly left, pulling Kyla along until they disappeared down a passage.
“So we did.” Bryce sheathed his blade. “I think that is enough for me for the day.”
“A drink?” Athol asked, and Bryce agreed. “And then we shall go tae dinner, lad. Ye have done well this day. Although perhaps ye should like a bath before dinner? There will be ladies present.”
Athol burst into merry laughter at his own joke, and with a hand on Bryce’s shoulder, he led the seasoned warrior out of the training ground.
* * *
Lorna had never seen Watt without his tunic. Not once. She could only guess at the muscles underneath his clothing. She had seen many men fighting without their tunics, especially if it was a practice fight on a warm summer day, but never had she seen the love of her life so exposed. And nor had she ever seen Bryce.
When she suggested to Kyla that they go see the men in training, she never dreamed that Bryce would be there with her brother, fighting, laughing, moving about as if it was second nature. On the edge of the high wall from where she stood, she was transfixed by the sight of him. His long, dark hair was brushing his shoulders and swinging about as he moved, his strong legs taking measured steps to deflect her brother’s swings.
His arms were long trails of muscle, and she was in awe of them as he swung his sword. His broad shoulders were formidable, and she could imagine him to be a fearsome warrior. No wonder he was so well-known. He was better even than Athol, whom she thought to be the best warrior in all the Highlands. Her eyes trailed down the strong line of his back, taking in how his broad shoulders moved into slim hips, and he was wearing tartan trousers, snug against his skin.
She swallowed, wondering what the strange sensations were that were taking over her body. Watt had inspired her love, a great deal of it, but he had never made her feel like this: warm all over, like she would melt from the heat if she didn’t tear her eyes away. But then her brother noticed their arrival, and calling to them, drawing Bryce’s notice. She was so surprised at seeing him again, fearful that on her face was written all the quiet imaginings of her mind.
“Come, Kyla,” she said after giving her brother a quick wave. “We should nae have come and disturbed them.” Pulling Kyla along, she left down the passage and they made their way to the main hall before Kyla stopped her.
“What is going on? What happened?” Kyla paused. “Why, lass, ye look positively feverish!” She reached up a hand to touch Lorna’s face, but Lorna moved away.
“I am perfectly well,” she said, growing redder with embarrassment. Could a man’s attractiveness make one feel ill suddenly? She didn’t like it, and it only made it seem like Bryce had another way of controlling and teasing her.
Kyla didn’t look convinced, and she took Lorna’s arm and led her to a seat. “Sit here for a little. We can wait for dinner here and play a game or some such. But first, let me get ye a drink.”
Lorna nodded, so distracted by what she had seen that she couldn’t think of an answer. A hundred things were pulling at her at once.
Certainly, it is just because of his kindness and the fact that I have nae seen many so…skilled that I am feeling a little flustered.
She began to wave a hand in front of her face; she felt so overheated, and the wool of her kirtle and gown was making it seem even warmer. Closing her eyes, she hoped that all would return to normal soon, once she could get the thoughts and images of Bryce out of her head. But they were persistent.
At the same time, she also thought of Watt. Why had she never thought of him in that way? He was good, kind, and patient; he always had been. That was what had earned him her love, but now that she thought about it, it was always Bryce that had made her feel more of a physical attraction. He had the pleasanter face, while his brother had the less dangerous nature.
Kyla returned a few minutes later with a cool cup of mead. “Here ye are Lorna, drink this. Cook reckons this will make a big difference. It was a warm day today, and with the storm coming, perhaps the change in weather has made ye feel a bit ill.”
Lorna nodded, and her eyes moved to the windows of the castle where she could see the sky had darkened considerably. “I suppose Bryce willnae be leaving today, then,” she said offhandedly.
Kyla’s expression grew serious. “Now why are ye thinking of Bryce at a time like this, I wonder?”
Lorna flushed again, but she was glad Kyla said nothing more about it. She and Kyla spoke for another half an hour. Kyla tried to interest her in a game when the first sound of thunder rumbled, but she wouldn’t have been able to focus.
“Ye will enjoy it, I think. We can think of other things besides dastardly men,” Kyla prodded again.
Lorna shook her head. “Nae, I daenae think I can…” she paused, and a flush of red crossed her face again, because her family, along with Bryce, had entered the hall, ready for the evening meal, and she locked eyes with Bryce immediately.
Will there be nae hope tae get the man out of my head?
Inwardly, she cursed the storm, wondering if fate was playing a cool hand, keeping Bryce around a little bit longer to further her humiliation. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Kyla looking between the two of them and wearing a look of disapproval.
