Page 41 of In Bed with her Highland Foe

“Nay more words, Aaden. Nay more words.” He walked away, with purpose in his stride, hurrying down the stairs as fast as he possibly could.

He felt as if his heart was breaking all over again, yet a new purpose grew with it. Now he knew there was never a chance with Kyven, there was nothing to be done on that score. He would be the captain of her soldiers, and that was it.

The kitten turned over in his palm, trying to make herself comfortable. When she was in danger of falling, Gilchrist caught her, making sure she was safe.

“I cannae call ye Sir Meows-a-Lot, but I willnae give ye up either. How about a new name, eh?” he whispered to the kitten as she nuzzled his fingers. “Lottie. As ye respond tae the sound already, I can hardly change it tae much. Lottie…” She looked up at him, listening attentively. “Then it is settled.”

“Gilchrist? Captain?” Aaden called, running after him, but once more, Gilchrist raised his hand. He wasn’t sure he could bear to hear another word spoken about hearts tonight.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“Ihave an idea.”

Gilchrist splashed his face with water from the barrel outside of the armory. He’d been in battle training with the new recruits from the early hours in the morning. Now, doused in sweat, he’d torn off his shirt and come around to these fresh barrels of water brought up from the well, ready to wash. He splashed his chest, amazed to find Aaden had come upon him again.

“Nay more ideas,” Gilchrist said sharply.

“One more idea.” Aaden held up a single finger, leaning on the back door of the barracks building. “Well, I say it was me idea, although it was more another’s plan, but I like it.”

“I dinnae wish tae hear it.” Gilchrist thrust his head into the barrel of water once again, muffling his ears so he could not hear whatever it was Aaden was saying. All evening, he’d put up with the new recruits repeating the gossip about how Kyven had shared her dinner with Laird Shay the night before, the two of them quite alone. The only thing the maid who had served dinner to the two of them would say was that there was much kissing of hands.

Jealousy curled in Gilchrist’s gut as he flicked his head back up out of the water. He pushed the dark hair back out of his eyes, feeling the water trickling down his face and chest.

“It will work,” said another infinitely more feminine voice.

In alarm, Gilchrist look around.

Aaden was no longer standing alone. Beside him, also leaning on the door, was Helen, a victorious smile on her face. Her eyes began to wander across Gilchrist’s chest, and he stared at her in amazement.

“Oh, trust me. It will work on any woman.”

“Oi.” Aaden waved a hand in front of her face. “Whose bed are ye sharing at the moment?”

“Ha! Dinnae think fer one minute I suppose I’m the only woman ye bed.” She roared with laughter and elbowed Aaden in the rib. “Besides, ye cannae deny it.” She nodded her head at Gilchrist. “The captain has a lot of charms of his own.”

Gilchrist cocked an eyebrow. Somehow, he doubted it. He thought of the scar that ran from his chin to his collarbone, now fully on view for both of them to see. He was sure Helen would have been disgusted by it. Instead, she bit her lip, and her eyes kept appraising him.

“Behave,” Aaden whispered, though he was laughing. “Dae me a favor, Captain. Wash quickly and return tae yer shirt, otherwise I will lose me bedmate fer the time being.”

Helen continued to laugh as Gilchrist returned to washing.

“It will work,” she said again. “If ye manage tae get Lady Kyven tae see him in this light, how can she help but look at him in that way?”

“What!?” Gilchrist spluttered, nearly falling into the barrel in his alarm. Helen didn’t reply. She was still too busy ogling him.

“I was thinking of making such a moment even more… revelatory.” Aaden appeared to choose the word with great care and relish. “So, Gilchrist, what dae ye say?”

“Tae what?”

“Our suggestion,” Aaden said at once. “Let us orchestrate a scenario where Lady Kyven will see ye as ye are now. Or perhaps… wearing a little less. As soldiers, we’ve had to bathe in similar settings. We’ve changed beside one another. I am certain any woman would be impressed with what ye have tae reveal in those trews of yers.”

Helen stepped forward, trying to peer around the barrel.

Though Gilchrist still wore his trews, he adjusted himself, making sure he was completely hidden by the barrel.

“Ye want me tae approach Lady Kyven naked? Pah! A surefire way tae nae only see me fired, but probably hanged fer accosting the lady of the clan.” He snatched up a linen towel he had brought with him and dried his chest. When Helen bit her lip, still watching him, Aaden started to shake his head.

“Behave, lass, or I am taking ye away tae remind ye what ye dae have.”