“I am ready to go to me chamber.”
He nodded. “Let me show ye another way to get to the tower, one where ye can avoid people.” He offered his arm. It was a polite gesture, nothing more, something he’d do for any woman.
She hesitated and gazed up at him, then rested her hand lightly on his forearm.
As her soft fingers made contact with his skin, Adam realized Kali Bane was no ordinary lass. The crackle of attraction sizzled down to his bones. Their gazes clashed again, and he had to hold himself back from caressing her cheek. What he’d give to touch her just once. Then he remembered his biblical namesake. The original Adam had taken a bite from the forbidden fruit and cursed all generations after. Kali had been deemed forbidden before he had even met her. Best that she stay that way.
Chapter Three
They slipped through a narrow archway to get inside the ancient tower. The circular space had enough room for a table and two chairs, a faded tapestry on the wall, and the spiraling stone stairs that made her dizzy just looking up at them.
“I am sorry ye have been relegated to this place. Yet, there is hope, for the upper chambers are comfortable, cleaned regularly, and used to accommodate guests of less import than family members or nobility.”
“Of which I am both.”
“Aye, that ye are.”
She counted the stairs as they went, careful to place her boot in the center of each step so she wouldn’t slip and break her neck. By the time they reached the top of the tower, they had climbed thirty-eight stairs. Two doors were at the end of the passageway, and she gazed at Adam, awaiting his words.
“That door,” he said, “leads to another set of stairs that takes ye to the top of the tower. This one…” He pointed. “Opens into what will be yer chambers. A generously sized bedchamber and garderobe.”
She nodded, anxious to see her prison.
Adam opened the door and stepped aside to let her enter first. She did and found a maid waiting for them.
“Master Adam.” The woman curtsied. “’Tis good to see ye.” Her attention wandered to Kali, then back to the future laird.
“Have all the preparations been completed, Heather?”
“Aye, milord.”
He nodded with approval. “This is Lady Kali. You will be in her service until ye are assigned other duties.”
Kali eyed the young woman suspiciously. Maids had never lasted at her home in Aberdeen. Either her father would get too drunk and try to force them into his bed, or he’d frightened them off with his foul temper. “’Tis good to meet ye, Heather.”
“Welcome,” the maid said quietly, curtsying. “Ye will lack no comforts here. Even the hearth has been cleaned and lit. There are many arrowslits and one window to let the sunshine in during the day, but at night, it grows cold. Fresh linens have been provided, even some old manuscripts for ye to read if ye wish to pass the time. I have arranged a small kitchen of sorts in the far corner with enough food to last a few days. Water, too.”
Kali smiled in appreciation of the maid’s efforts and began to explore. The bed caught her eye. ’Twas large, with many pillows and thick blankets. Also, a table and chairs, two benches, a padded chair by the hearth, and a trunk. The walls were bare, but the stones looked recently washed. Old carpets covered the floor, providing some relief from the cold.
“I could not be happier with the arrangements,” she assured both of them.
“I am sure ye wish to rest after yer long journey,” Adam said. “If I can, I will return after the evening meal.”
“Thank ye.” Kali watched him shuffle to the door, seemingly reluctant to leave her. She recognized the kind nature of the gentleman before her, and how he could easily change her mind about trusting a man again. But the painful memories of how her father and other men in her life had harmed her, overshadowed any positive thoughts she had concerning Adam. Vigilance was her greatest weapon against ever being hurt again.
Adam turned. “Lady Kali…”
“I do no’ blame ye,” she said, not wishing to reveal too much in front of the servant. “I accept yer father’s hospitality. Please, let him know he has my gratitude.”
He took a sharp breath, then disappeared out the open door.
…
Adam eyed his men warily as he joined them at the captain’s table in the great hall. Of course, they were waiting for news on the bewitching lass. The MacKays were known for their dark hair and green eyes, though an occasional bairn was born with blue eyes. The rare fiery red of Kali’s hair and her piercing blue eyes made it more believable that she might be an enchantress. Adam was sure her father had exploited that fact when he’d accused her of witchcraft.
The Highlands were saturated with rumors. Women, especially as charming as Kali, took significant measures to protect themselves against behaving in any way that would cast suspicion on them.
Witches were legends, like selkies, but Adam couldn’t fight the backward thinking of his father and the better part of his clan members. They must learn these things for themselves. But he’d not allow anyone to disparage her or call her a witch.
