Page 9 of In Bed with her Highland Foe

He thinks he’s charming her.

Gilchrist audibly scoffed in disgust. Shay gave no sign of having heard him, but Kyven certainly did, shooting a suspicious glare his way.

This cannae happen. She cannae marry him of all people.

“Yer people would be me own, and I would fight fer them with every ounce of strength I have in me body.” He reached for her hand. “I would fight fer ye, me lady.”

He cannae touch her.

His fingers were lifting Kyven’s palm from her side. Would he kiss her hand then? Would his lips brush her skin?

“Me lady,” Gilchrist’s deep voice pierced the air.

Kyven leapt back as if she had been struck by lightning and whirled around, her eyes fierce upon him. The hand Shay had lifted he now let drop.

“Ye’re needed.”

“Needed? By whom?” she said questioningly.

“The council wish fer a word with ye.” He stepped aside, gesturing back to the door.”

“Then come, me Laird,” Kyven continued, glancing back at Shay. “Before I go tae meet the council, I shall introduce ye tae the steward who will show ye tae yer chamber.”

She walked past him coldly, looking at him as if they had not spent numerous hours together in that library, as if they were not friends, but he was in fact just a soldier to her. His eyes traveled down her as he walked past her, and he glimpsed the sight of her hands fidgeting again.

She is nervous. I ken that sign too well.

Then the three of them were gone, leaving Gilchrist quite alone in the garden, though he did not stay there long. There was much to be discussed, and there was one person he had to talk to – Laird Shay.

Gilchrist hovered in the alcove nearest to the east wing and the guest chambers. Shay had been in his room for some time, but even a man so proud of his appearance as Shay could surely not spend another hour bathing. Sometime soon, he would have to emerge.

Gilchrist peered out from the shadows once more. This alcove hidden at the top of the stairs in the east wing, was guarded by a statue, a stone effigy of Kyven’s father, the last Laird of the McDowell clan, offering him the perfect hiding place.

Footsteps sounded down the corridor and Gilchrist braced himself. He caught the handle of the dirk at his belt, latching his fingers tightly around the handle, then waited, holding his breath.

Someone stepped into view. Tall in figure with shocking blond hair, it was unmistakably Laird Shay.

Gilchrist leapt out from behind the statue as Laird Shay walked past. He gripped the laird’s shoulder with one hand and the other, he used to place the dirk at the laird’s throat. Shay spluttered, veering back his head, clearly fearful of having his throat cut.

“Nae a word,” Gilchrist warned in his ear, his voice deathly in warning.

“Ye…?” Shay murmured in wonder.

There were more footsteps down the corridor. Gilchrist elbowed Shay sharply in the back, shifting his hold in order to march the man into the nearest vacant chamber. He kicked the door shut behind the two of them then released Shay, thrusting him deeper into the room.

For a minute, Shay said nothing. He brushed himself down after their tussle like a preening budgerigar and then shifted to face Gilchrist. They remained in silence, waiting for the footsteps in the corridor behind them to fade away as they stared at one another.

“Ye,” Shay said again once the footsteps had gone. “Never did I think I’d find ye hiding here. Thought the Gregors and the McDowells were sworn enemies. Bet that the fair young Lady of the McDowells doesnae ken yer real name, does she?”

“Ye’re nae tae say a word of who I am, ye understand?” Gilchrist warned darkly.

“Ah, looks like me guess is right.” Shay did not look afraid of the dirk Gilchrist still held in his grasp. He rubbed his hands together, as if he had just been gifted many wonderous presents indeed. “Ye want me tae agree, Michael? Shall we make a deal?”

Gilchrist shivered when he heard his real name for the first time in years. “I dinnae make bargains with the devil. I’d sooner have the kelpies drown me intae the water and drown me.”

“Ye want yer secret tae stay secret, then ye’ll have tae dae as I say.” Shay smiled, wickedly. “Ye’ll dae as I ask of ye in these walls. Ye’ll be me… man.”

“Ye already have Larry fer that.” Gilchrist jerked his head to the door behind them. “Yer rat of a man that follows at yer heels.” He stepped forward and Shay took a tiny step back.