Page 27 of In Bed with her Highland Foe

Gilchrist froze as he looked at her. He couldn’t remember seeing such excitement in her eyes before.

“Perhaps ye could take care of her while we are in town, me lady?” Aaden offered.

“Oh, aye, aye, I’d love tae.” Kyven spoke so quickly that all the protests Gilchrist wished to make died in his throat. He stared at her, open mouthed, until Aaden elbowed him in the rib, attempting to make him close his mouth again. “Why did ye nae say, Gilchrist?” she asked, stepping closer to him again.

“Ye like cats?” Gilchrist was all too aware out of the corner of his eye that Aaden was smiling quite victoriously now.

“Aye,” Kyven said hurriedly. “Very much.”

“That’s settled then.” Aaden clapped his hands together. “Lady Kyven will take care of Sir Meows-a-Lot while we are in town.”

Gilchrist jerked his body so quickly around to face Aaden that this time, his friend actually took a step back in alarm.

“Sir Meows-a-Lot?” Kyven giggled at the name. “What a sweet name!”

“Sweet,” Gilchrist muttered darkly, shaking his head. “I didnae name the thing.” He cursed inwardly at his objection. He didn’t even have a cat! How was he supposed to find one before tomorrow? “Aaden, what is this errand we have tae run in town?” He folded his arms across his chest.

“Oh, it’s…” Aaden panicked for a second, then he mirrored Gilchrist’s stance, as calm as ever. “We have tae go and check on the scouts on the other side of town. They’ve had a bout of sickness, and we may have tae replace the men.”

“Dae we now?” Gilchrist said mockingly.

“Aye, ye must go. I’ll have some provisions prepared for the sick scouts before ye leave in the morning.” Kyven walked straight up to Gilchrist and pulled on his good arm once again. Her decision to touch him so readily shocked him, and he looked at her, wide eyed. “Why did ye never say ye had taken a cat? Were ye embarrassed?”

Humiliated, more like.

Gilchrist shot a glare at Aaden.

“Some men dinnae like tae show their softer side, me lady,” Aaden said with a chuckle. Kyven’s face softened into a smile.

“Have ye nae caused enough trouble?” Gilchrist’s tone was sharp, but Aaden laughed all the more.

“He’s lying too,” Aaden pretended to lower his voice. “He helped name the cat.”

“Aaden!” Gilchrist laid his good hand to his weapons belt and stepped toward Aaden, threateningly. Aaden shot out of the room, running as if the flames of hell were at his heel.

“Until tomorrow, me lady!” he called back.

“Gilchrist.” Kyven held Gilchrist back from attacking Aaden. “Ye shouldnae be embarrassed by such a thing,” she giggled. “I think it is sweet.”

Gilchrist was too mortified to answer her. Not only had he been made to look quite pathetic by owning a cat called ‘Sir Meows-a-Lot,’ but he now had the problem of having to find a cat before he looked like a liar in morning when she came to take care of it.

“I’ll come tae the barracks tomorrow tae take care of the kitten,” Kyven said hurriedly as if she had read his mind. The thought of her in his chamber made the embarrassment heighten all the more.

She is betrothed tae another man, and yet she will be in me chamber?

Then another feeling made the humiliation quell. In its place, he felt desire. It was hardly helped by Kyven’s now perpetual grasp on his arm. He was thinking instead of those soft hands on his bare skin, somewhere far beyond his arm, perhaps his chest, his hip, his…

“Thank ye,” he said suddenly, trying to move his mind back to something other than Kyven being in his chamber. “Until tomorrow then.”

“Until tomorrow.” She smiled and released him.

Gilchrist darted out of the room as fast as he could. He let the door swing shut behind him, then turned to see further Aaden was waiting for him down the corridor, performing a little jig in celebration.

“Ye’re a dead man, Aaden.”

Aaden hardly looked worried by this news.

CHAPTER TEN