“Is that him?” Ava’s question made something tighten in Kai’s chest.
He looked away across the great hall, all decked for Yuletide. There was not a surface that hadn’t been covered in green boughs with pinecones and red and white berries. Any other time, Kai would have loved it. He normally adored this time of year, the happiness, the escape from tragic memories in momentary smiles. But not tonight. He found he wanted to rip all the decorations down from the walls.
Across the hall and through the double doors, some guests were arriving. Dressed in the dark blue tartan colors of the Grant clan, there was little doubt as to who they were. Domhnall stepped forward at once to greet them, as did Laird MacKinnon, Ava’s father. Front and center was a man of clear power.
He was the tallest and most broadly set of all the men who had walked in, a clear warrior. He had even attended with a dress sword at his belt, his dark blue clan colors thrown over hisshoulder. His dark hair was streaked with gray, cut as neatly as his clothes had been trimmed.
“Aye, that’s him,” Thora said as she stood on Ava’s other side. “Laird Blair Grant. He’s rather handsome, isnae he?”
“Aye, I suppose he is.” Ava’s answer made Kai turn around fast, seeking out something else to drink, but before his hand could close over a cup of mead on the table nearby, it was nudged out of reach by Domhnall, who had stepped back to let his guest pass. He winked at Kai as he passed, clearly thinking Kai had had enough to drink the night before.
“Are ye ready?” Thora asked, looping her arm with Ava’s. “Come, I’ll take ye over. Me braither can introduce ye.”
“Aye, very well. Me faither will want tae see I am making the effort.” Yet Ava didn’t walk away at once. She fidgeted, adjusting the dark green gown which had been pulled tight across her waist. It emphasized her slim and athletic curves. The voluminous and broad sleeves flashed the tone of her arms too, and her blonde braid had been plaited perfectly behind her hair, decked with gems, so that a few loose strands hung teasingly down by her ears.
“Dinnae fidget,” Kai urged her. “Ye are beautiful as ye are.”
Ava looked at him sharply, though she didn’t smile.
Shock. She’s shocked again.
Before Kai could say anything, even before Ava could adjust her expression, Thora led her away, drawing her through the crowd and toward Laird Blair Grant. Kai couldn’t take his eyes off the pair of them. He watched Ava avidly and didn’t look away, even when Domhnall appeared at his side and elbowed him.
“I still think ye should have said something,” Domhnall urged.
“Ye ken I couldnae.”
Domhnall followed her.
“Ah, may I introduce our other guest of honor ,” Laird Domhnall said with ease as he approached with Ava and Thora. She felt her arm stiffen through Thora’s hold as she gazed at Laird Grant.
Now that she was closer, though he was indeed a handsome man, she also felt something a little terrifying in his appearance. He was so much the warrior, stacked with muscle and girth, it was intimidating. The thing that she liked the least about him though was his indifferent expression. He looked at none of them for longer than a second, his eyes drifting from one to the next in a way that she could only assume was calculating.
“This is Laird MacKinnon’s daughter, Lady Ava.” Laird Domhnall gestured to Ava and she curtsied deeply in greeting.
“I have been looking forward tae this meeting fer some time,” Ava’s father said, not showing any qualms about hiding his eagerness. “Ava, I ken ye have too.”
“Aye, Father,” she lied and smiled up at Laird Grant. She did her best to soften her expression, but Laird Grant barely seemed to notice. He looked away, casting a penetrating glance around the room. “It is indeed a pleasure tae meet ye, me laird. I’ve heard much about ye.” She realized as she was staring up at Laird Grant that in all of Kai’s lessons to her, he hadn’t taught her much about the idea of flirting with words. He had taught her more about physicality, the sensuality of touch. When she remembered the way they had touched, she longed to look for him across the room, but she fought the temptation.
“Thank ye,” Laird Grant said with plain disinterest. He didn’t even look at her as she spoke.
“Well, maybe Ava can show our guest tae his place at the top table?” Finley suggested. Her father’s lack of tact made Domhnall and Thora exchange awkward glances, but if Laird Grant noticed the way Ava was being thrust into his path, he didn’t show it on his face.
“Thank ye,” he said rather woodenly again and gestured for Ava to lead the way.
Ava released Thora and walked across the room. She remembered everything that Kai had said in his lessons. She didn’t walk like a soldier or with such great marching purpose, but gentler, trying to sway her hips a little. As she glanced back,catching the laird’s eye, she smiled, softening her expression as much as possible.
At least now, he is looking at me.
As they reached the top table, Ava gestured to his seat.
“Fer ye, me laird. Me faither and Laird Domhnall were determined ye’d have the place of honor between them tonight. Ye are their special guest.”
“I thank ye fer the kindness,” he said rather woodenly, walking around the chair. Following her instincts, Ava laid a hand on Laird Grant’s arm, her fingers as soft as she could make them. He halted at once, his icy blue eyes darting to meet hers. “I apologize fer me faither’s forwardness. He is correct in that I have been looking forward tae meeting ye. I have heard much about ye, me laird, but I would have rather told ye meself than for him tae say it.” She released his arm and looked down, smiling a little and hoping her expression wasn’t stern or sharp in any way.
All of a sudden, the air seemed to shift between her and Laird Grant. He leaned toward her, prompting her to look up again. He laid a hand to her back, gently but firm enough that she could clearly feel it.
It’s nothing like when Kai touches me.
