“Nay buts, Fletcher,” Killian stopped him. “We shall discuss the last attack on one of the villages while I was away instead. Lily and I will handle Laird McLennan.
“I dinnae trust her, but she is the perfect bait. She kens the McLennan clan better than any of us. If we are to stand a chance against them, then we need her on our side… I intend to right things and get her on my side.”
Fletcher slowly began to relax on the settee, and when he finally released a deep sigh, Killian sat too.
“Do ye want some whiskey?” Killian asked.
He handed Fletcher a quaich of whiskey when he agreed with a nod, then he drank deeply from his and enjoyed the feel of the liquid burning down his throat.
Killian had to admit he was disappointed that Lily had not shown up to supper. He had hoped he had changed her mind by the end of their previous conversation. He had been anticipatingsitting with her in that relaxed state when neither of them had to be wary of each other.
“So, ye’re only plottin’ to use her to get to Laird McLennan?”
Killian sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. He did not have a plan yet. Most times, his mind was too riled up with the most scandalous thoughts of Lily that he could not even concentrate on the reports sitting on his desk.
He wanted her near him… wanted to stare into her innocent eyes and smile because he knew she was thinking of him too.
“M’laird?”
Killian cleared his throat. “Aye… I dinnae have a plan yet.”
“Do ye need me to help ye?”
“I need ye to travel to Wehnthor and report to me what has happened there,” Killian said. “The villagers have sent petitions to me. They claim that their fields and crops have been infested and completely destroyed. They shall have no harvest this year.”
“Aye, m’laird,” Fletcher answered. “I shall leave for there by dawn and send word as soon as I arrive.”
Killian shifted uncomfortably on the settee, and his mind wandered to Lily, again. He was growing more comfortable with thoughts of her slipping into his mind even while he was busy.
If she had not shown up for supper, then what was she up to?
He imagined her training outside, alone, or standing by her chamber window to admire the fields beyond. Killian did not realize a smile spread out across his lips as that image speared his mind.
His fingers moved to his lower lip, and he caressed it slowly while reveling in the image of her lying beneath him in the fields.
Fletcher coughed and drew him back to reality.
“Ye’re dismissed, Fletcher,” Killian said, wanting to be alone with his thoughts.
When Fletcher left his study a moment later, he relaxed further on the settee and allowed his thoughts of Lily to take over.
This is torture.
Killian rose to his feet after some time. If she did not come to him, then he would go to her.
He met her on the stairway when he walked out of his study. Lily paused in her strides when she saw him, and his steps, too,faltered. They stared at each other for a long moment, and he nearly forgot to breathe as he took in all of her.
Her petite frame and the bounce of her black hair. Her eyes were wide and round as if she was surprised to see him. She didn’t say a thing as he walked over to her and then stopped again.
“Ye didnae show up to supper, after all,” Killian stated, letting his eyes take in her fully.
She was wearing fresh breeches and another leine the maids handed to her. Lily probably did not choose any of the earasaids or dresses they brought along with those, but he wondered how she would look without the leine or breeches on.
Her skin felt so silky, and he could imagine touching her, and…Get a grip Killian and do not think of the woman naked.
Killian could imagine what her body would look like in a dress. He would be able to see her ripe bosom, take in more of her creamy skin, and even enjoy thinking of how sweet it would be to gently lift her skirts and caress her thighs through the stockings that would be beneath.
“I told you I would not come.” Her sharp tone cut into his thoughts.
