Page 31 of In Bed with her Highland Foe

“Theo,” she called to him. “Pray tell me what this sudden meeting is about.”

“We…” Theo looked quite uncertain. He rubbed a hand across cheeks and looked around the room for support. There were murmurings about the gilt table, but no one seemed eager to talk loudly.

In that quiet, Kyven circled the table and came to stand by her usual chair, though she did not take her seat. For the slimmest of moments, standing at a taller height above them all, gave her a small feeling of power.

“Theo?” she encouraged him on.

“There are whisperings,” Theo muttered. He ran a hand across his cheek once again, seeming to wipe away dappled sweat. “Whisperings that other clan soldiers are on the move. We fear they are preparing for battle.”

Kyven looked at Aaden, her brows arching higher.

“Our scouts have heard nothing,” Aaden said firmly. “Captain Gilchrist has had nay word of such movements.”

“That is because it is seen by our political spies and nae our soldiers.” Barnaby’s voice was cold and curt. He sat back in his chair, and though he remained seated, Kyven distinctly felt the authority in the room swing toward him. Every face turned his way. “While ye are unwed, the clans think they can conspire against us. It is imperative we stop their advancement at once. We must make a proclamation, an announcement –”

“Nae today.” Theo spoke up, looking quite tremulous under Barnaby’s glare. To his credit though, he held his ground. “I willnae make such demands. Lady Kyven must nae decide her future today.”

“It cannae be held up fer much longer.” Barnaby steepled his hands together. “I accept nae today, but a decision must be made by the end of the week. Lady Kyven,” he swung his sharp eyes toward her, “by Sunday, ye must decide if ye are tae marry Laird Shay or nae. We can say ye are betrothed, and he can come tae visit ye tae encourage whispers, but it isnae firm action. We need a declaration from ye. Aye, a decision about the clan’s future.”

Silence fell as Kyven looked around the faces of her council. Some looked away fast, clearly ashamed of the decision they were imposing on her, though they didn’t refute Barnaby’s claims. The air was tense, uneasy, and Kyven was suddenly very aware of the way that Aaden shifted uncomfortably on his feet beside her.

“Ye wish me tae make a decision that will affect every day fer the rest of me life by Sunday? We are talking of me vowing meself tae another.”

“Nae just yerself.” Barnaby’s voice grew grave. “Vowing yer clan tae Laird Shay.”

“That is impossible in such a short space of time.”

“It must be done.” Barnaby stood, his movements so fast the chair behind him was in danger of falling over. “Aye, it must, me lady.”

“Ye seek tae order me around like a child, Barnaby?” she asked, finding a steeliness in her voice she did not know she had.

Theo sat at once and others in the room bristled, but not Barnaby. He just held her glare.

“When so much is at stake, it is me duty tae advise ye and tae make decisions swiftly, even if it is nae what ye want tae hear. Me first duty is tae the clan. Always.” The somberness in his voice showed how genuine he was.

It was something she could not argue with. She too knew she had to put the state of the clan and the people first, even if it meant sacrificing herself, yet could she really make such a decision so fast? In the last two days, she and Laird Shay had scarcely spoken to one another. She had avoided him, quite readily, and any time he was near, she seemed to find herself in Gilchrist’s company instead.

Desist thinking of him!

Yet her mind was filled with the image of Gilchrist’s hand laying on top of hers the night before in the library. She felt that warmth, as if it was spreading up her arm now.

“A decision must be made,” Barnaby said eventually. “Dae I take yer silence as an agreement that we will have yer decision by Sunday?”

“Aye,” she whispered darkly, knowing she had no other answer to give. “Now ye have decided me future, I shall leave ye.” She spun on her heel and made her way back to the door.

“Me lady,” Theo called after her. “Ye understand it is just fer the state of the clan–”

“I ken, Theo. I ken,” she said soothingly, though she could not meet his gaze as she marched out of the room. In the corridor, she was soon caught up by Aaden and Helen, both apparently breathless. She marched up and down by the archways that led out into the garden, not knowing where to go next, with her hands on her hips. “Did ye ken about this?” she accosted Aaden.

“Nay. I swear, I didnae ken.” He shook his head, fervently.

She shuddered, raising her hands to cover her face. How could she decide in so few days what her future would be? How would she be able to know if she could share her body again and again with Shay over the years, knowing that Captain Gilchrist worked under this roof and lived nearby?

Why am I thinking of him now!?

“I… I have tae go. That errand in town,” Aaden muttered fast. “I’m very sorry, me lady. Truly.”

“Thank ye.” Kyven felt her hand taken by Helen as Aaden ran away. For some reason, he was sprinting out into the gardens and heading toward the barracks.