“Ye sure about this, me laird?” The voice made Kai whip around. It was an accent from the west coast of Scotland. Kai turned to see two shadows walking across the courtyard. He couldn’t see their faces for they were hidden walking behind a large bush.
“Aye, I am.” It was Laird Grant’s voice.
Not wanting to be seen, Kai moved to hide behind a great statue of the last Laird of the MacLeods. He froze, pressing his backagainst the cold stone and straining to listen to Laird Grant and his advisor, whose name Kai couldn’t remember for the life of him.
“She isnae the sort of woman ye usually choose tae bed.”
“Nay, she isnae.” Laird Grant’s voice was calm. “Lady Ava is rather different, but as me wife, I wouldnae have tae take her tae bed too many times. I could settle me appetites elsewhere. She may nae be tae me tastes, but she comes from a powerful clan, if impoverished. Look where we are, Peters,” he said to his advisor. “The MacKinnons are good friends with the MacLeods too. If I marry Ava, then I make both clans me allies. Aye, it could be too good an opportunity tae miss.”
Kai felt sick. He thought for one minute he might see his dinner again, but he clutched to his stomach, holding it down.
To Ava, it might not matter that Laird Grant would only marry her for an alliance. After all, she didn’t care for him either.
“I’ll ask her faither fer permission tae visit her at her castle tonight. Then I’ll make the journey tae see her in a few days.” Laird Grant spoke purposefully, clearly showing he had already made up his mind. “It shouldnae be difficult tae persuade the lass intae me bed. She seems desperate enough tae get in there. And then she’ll have tae marry me.”
As Laird Grant’s voice disappeared, Kai bent down behind the statue. It was as if he had just cracked a rib for the pain he felt in his chest.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“Ye accepted this? On me behalf?” Ava stood beside the horse, staring with her mouth agape at her father.
“I did.” Laird MacKinnon was nodding, looking more at the track which was being cleared of snow ready for her journey, than at her. “Laird Grant wishes tae visit ye back home. Ye can go there today tae prepare his stay, and I will follow tomorrow. Laird Domhnall and I need tae about the English and our strategies afore I leave. Laird Grant will join us when I come back.”
“Ye accepted his visit? Without asking me if I want tae see him?” Ava murmured in amazement.
“Aye, I did. Ye agreed this was a good plan, Ava.”
“Aye, aye, I ken I did.” She was irritable as she pulled her fur cloak around her body tightly and turned to the horse. Shecouldn’t explain what was upsetting her so much. The night before had gone well. Laird Grant had paid more attention to her than any other woman all night long, but she had not enjoyed her evening.
More than once had she found herself looking for Kai across the room, only she had been unable to find him.
“So, I’ll ride home alone.”
“Nay, ye willnae.” Laird MacKinnon nodded behind her. She turned in the saddle to see Kai striding out of the keep and into the courtyard. He was dressed in another of his thick fur-lined cloaks, belted around the waist to emphasize his lean figure. She was distracted, staring at him and watching the way he tussled his chestnut hair as he approached the two of them. “Ye remember our discussion, dae ye nae?” Laird MacKinnon hissed rather angrily at Kai.
Ava stared at her father in amazement at the tone.
“I will never forget it.” Kai bowed to her father with deference. “I’ll escort her tae yer castle, me Laird. She will be safe. I’d sooner die than have anything happen tae her.”
Ava felt a warmth in her chest at the words. She tried to catch Kai’s eye, to smile at him, but he seemed oddly intent on looking anywhere else than at her.
“Good, good. Well, on ye go. In a day or two, I shall join ye with Laird Grant.”
“Me laird, could ye bring me sister, Thora, with ye too,” Kai said as he reached for a second horse that had been prepared. “She longs tae see Lyla and yer home again.”
“Aye, aye, as ye wish. Now, safe journey. Be careful in this snow.”
Ava bent down and kissed her father on the cheek, wishing him well before she steered the horse to follow Kai down the track. They left Dunvegan castle behind, heading across the bumpy land and toward the forest. There was no fresh snowfall that day, though the wind whipped up repeatedly, reminding them that it was never far away. As they rode, Ava became all too aware of the distance between them. Kai rode a short distance ahead, his hand frequently darting to the crossbow latched at his saddle as he watched the land around them.
“Kai?” Ava called after what felt like an hour of riding. “Kai?”
“Aye?” He didn’t turn around in the saddle but continued to face forward.
“Why did ye ask Thora tae come tae me faither’s castle with Laird Grant and him? She said nothing tae me about wishing tae come.”
“Maybe I think it wise ye have another friend there,” Kai called back. “Ye should always be surrounded by people ye trust, Ava. Especially when…”
“When what?” she urged him on.
