Page 61 of In Bed with her Highland Foe

“Somewhere ye’ll like. Trust me.” He winked at her.

She felt warmth spreading through her.

I dae trust ye.

She flicked the reins of the horse and darted off down the path with Gilchrist close behind her.

“Well, ye two are becoming more brazen, I’ll give ye that,” Aaden said, taking a breather between their sparring. He bent down and petted Lottie who was sat close by his and Gilchrist’s heels as they practiced. “Three days in a row riding out together in the mornings. Ye should have seen Laird Shay’s face this morning. I think he was ready tae slaughter me there in the castle courtyard just tae get near the pair of ye.”

“He can keep trying.” Gilchrist swept his sword through the air, just once, making the wind whip nosily. “I’ll be prepared if he comes fer me again. Come, time tae practice.” He too bent down and petted Lottie, who seemed to have developed a habit of coming out and watching the soldiers as they sparred. She purred once more, then moved to a nearby low-lying wall in the castle grounds, apparently the better to watch them together.

Gilchrist sparred with Aaden, the two of them fighting fast with heavy broadswords. Gilchrist was determined to maintain his fitness, despite his injury, which had been improving by the day.

Aaden dived out of the way fast. His skills were getting better every day, and though he was the finest fighter amongst the soldiers, he couldn’t yet beat Gilchrist.

With one swipe of Gilchrist’s sword, Aaden bent back to avoid being injured and fell to the ground. Gilchrist drove his sword into the earth beside him, the two of them panting to catch their breaths.

“Ye still need tae improve blocking, me friend,” Gilchrist said as Aaden struggled to sit up on the earth.

“Perhaps.”

Gilchrist walked toward Lottie and lifted her up, placing her on his shoulders. She purred happily, scrunching her paws into the armor, so he could not feel her claws.

“Dae ye ken what I think ye need?” Aaden called and stood, hurrying toward him.

“What’s that?”

“A night alone with Kyven.” He sat down on the wall in front of Gilchrist, a triumphant smile on his lips.

Gilchrist froze.

“Would ye nae agree that me plans have worked in the past?”

“Probably more by luck than design.” Gilchrist went to retrieve his sword, pushing it into his scabbard.

“Trust me,” Aadan stood and followed in his wake once again. “Hear me out.”

“Dae I have a choice? Ye have a habit of just talking anyway.”

“Ha! Very true.” Aaden elbowed him before he could walk away, getting his full attention. “Spend a night sleeping beside Kyven. That is what ye need. It takes a lot tae trust another enough tae sleep beside them.”

“Is this what ye dae with yer women?”

“What? Never!” Aaden said hurriedly. “I offer pleasure and nay more, but tae sleep beside one? That is an offer of something much greater.”

Love.

Gilchrist kept the thought to himself.

“Maybe there is something true in what ye say, Aaden, but there’s just one problem tae yer theory,” Gilchrist warned him. “How are ye going tae persuade Kyven to spend a night beside me when she sleeps in the castle, and I sleep in the barracks?”

“Leave that particular difficulty tae me.” He cracked his knuckles, as if preparing for another fight.

“Me lady? Dae ye nae want tae go tae sleep?” Helen asked, bustling around the room and tidying fast.

“Aye, I will.” Yet Kyven glanced back at the bed, nervously. Every night since she and Gilchrist had talked alone in the library together, she had thought of what he had said, of how she could let her own fingers trail her body to explore. She hadn’t tried it, too nervous to do so, but the thought alone was enough to keep her awake. “I seem tae struggle tae sleep at the moment.”

“What ye need is some company,” Helen said suddenly with a smile.