Kenneth reached into the shadows and yanked someone out by the hair. “Ye wee gommy!”
James punched his cousin in the shoulder, and Kenneth released him with a laugh. Heather let out a sigh of relief as she rushed over to James, and just to prove she wasn’t lying, kissed the lad. James spluttered at first, then pulled Heather into his body, returning the kiss with enthusiasm.
“Well,” Kenneth said as he stalked back to the table, “After ye tire of the boy over there, come and find me, lass. I’ll give ye a taste of a real man.”
“What are ye doing?” James hissed in Heather’s ear.
“Come with me,” she said, pulling him down the corridor by the arm.
Once they were alone in the passageway, she apologized. “I didna know any other way to get yer attention. Sorry for taking advantage of yer virtuous nature.”
James gave her the strangest look. “Me heid’s mince, lass. With the way ye were kissing me, it’s yer virtue at stake, not mine. I’m no’ even sure a man’s got virtue to begin with.” He scratched his head. “But if ye’d like another kiss…”
Heather slapped his chest. “I’m no’ here for pleasure, ye fool. Lady Kali needs yer help.”
He shook his head. “Nay. Doona try to pull me into yer scheme, whatever it be, lass. With Adam and Sam gone, there’s no one to lead us. ’Tis better to wait this out. Kali Bane is no’ long for this place. She is betrothed to Lord Nelson, as sure as her sister will be our mistress soon.”
His refusal made her angry. “Ye coward! Tuck tail and run the moment yer friend is gone?”
“Wait a moment,” he said. “Ye came looking for me. Now ye call me a coward because I prefer me head attached to me shoulders?”
“There’s no’ much inside yer head, anyway. Might be better to be without it.” She gave him a shove, then turned away, ready to seek help elsewhere. “Maybe Kenneth…”
“Kenneth…” James gripped her arm and turned her about. “Ye doona kiss a man the way ye did and threaten to take yer affection elsewhere just because ye didna get yer way.”
Heather’s bottom lip curled in. “That wasna real! I’d rather kiss a goat.”
“No’ real?”
“’Twas a way to get ye alone, to keep the other men from sticking their noses where they no’ belong.”
Finally, understanding dawned on James. “Ye mean…a ruse.”
“Aye, ye dolt. Now, will ye help me?”
He stared at her silently for a long time. “If we fail, there’s no escaping punishment.” His tone had turned deadly serious.
“I know.”
“Ye and anyone associated with yer plan, even suspected of aiding ye, could face the noose or worse.”
“Aye.”
“Ye’re a beauty, lass. ’Twould be a nightmare to see ye die.”
Heather lowered her head, staring at the stone floor. “Ye know Master Adam and Lady Kali are in love?” She gazed up at him, hoping he did.
“Fook.” He slapped the wall, then looked at Heather. “Aye. I believe Adam fell in love with her the moment he laid eyes on her in the village.”
“Then we canna abandon them, can we?”
James raked his fingers through his hair, clearly unable to deny her. “Adam would do the same for any of us.”
“Aye. And would ye curse Lady Kali’s innocent sister, Ariana, to a loveless marriage with Laird MacKay?”
James’s nose scrunched up in distaste. “No.”
“Then this is what we need to do…” Heather whispered the plan in his ear.
