“Wait.” She stopped abruptly. “Why the sudden change?”
He spun her round to face him. “Understand one thing, Lady Helen,” he said in a low voice. “The next time we meet like this, I willna be able to stop kissing and touching ye. Ye are in grave danger around me.”
She nodded in understanding but couldna guess why that would make him so angry. And there was no mistaking the rage inside him. They had discovered something precious between them, true desire, true need, a rare friendship in her mind. “Can we remain friends, Master Jamie?”
He shook his head. Once they entered the bailey, he escorted her to the main doors. “Go inside, find Miran or Keely, and tell them to keep ye well away from me.”
With that, Jamie strode away, climbed on the closest saddled horse, and rode through the open gates without looking back.
Chapter Fourteen
Unaccustomed to feelingout of control, as soon as Jamie delivered Helen to the keep, he blindly chose a horse and made for the one place that restored his peace of mind,Sands Airgid.Silver Sands, the manor house and surrounding lands that had once belonged to his father and had been earned back by Jamie’s hard work for Alex and his clan.
The place was named after the fine sand that graced the shoreline on the north end of his property. In high summer, it resembled the color of spider webs under the moonlight. Twas believed that was the season for selkies to come ashore, and some men would wait for days, hoping to catch one.
The place had always stayed close to his heart…
He paused, listening. Yes, that was the sound of hoof beats. Someone was following him on horseback. He stopped and waited for them to catch up. Kuresh! How had he known?
“Why did you ride off without letting me know you were leaving?” Kuresh asked, looking disappointed.
“I doona answer to anyone.”
“I’m your friend.”
Jamie couldna fault him for worrying. “I am sorry. That woman…”
“I watched the two of you together. You cannot blame her, Jamie. She’s innocent.”
“Tis why I am out here and not back at the keep with her. She makes me want forbidden things.”
Kuresh’s dark brows rose in question. “Nothing is forbidden to a MacKay. You are a nobleman. Equal to her.”
“In a way, aye. But I am no a laird.”
“By your own choice.”
“What do ye mean?”
“How many times have we discussed the chance of you establishing your own clan?”
Jamie huffed out a breath. “I willna discuss it here and now. Tis an unattainable dream.”
“I disagree.”
“If ye canna be quiet about it, turn around and ride back to the keep. I prefer being alone with my thoughts.”
Kuresh nodded. “As you wish, Master Jamie. But I will always be close, remember that.” He rode away.
Sometime later, Jamie rode through the open gates, greeted by his guards who were busy practicing with their weapons.
“Jamie,” Crannog, one of his captains, said as he approached. “I dinna expect ye so soon.”
A stable lad took the reigns of his horse as he dismounted. “I’m hungrier than a beast,” Jamie said. “Tell me there is fresh meat and bread, ale to be had.” He gripped Crannog’s forearm.
“Evan felled a stag a couple of days ago. Where is Kuresh?” The captain stared beyond Jamie.
“He doesna know I left the MacKay keep.”
