Page 14 of Highland Guard
Bram looked relieved. “Thank you, Kieran. I am in your debt.”
Kieran just grunted and left. Truth be told, he was on edge now. Naomi had plagued his thoughts since their last meeting. For all her annoying ways, he still found her the bonniest woman he had ever laid eyes upon. Unfortunately for him, she was practically a nun and Kieran was not one to cross a line with women promised to a higher power. Add to that the fact he was as good as betrothed to another if the king refused his petition. As always, he would do his duty. But first, he needed a potent drink to settle his nerves.
***
Boarsheid Tavern
KIERAN SAT OUTSIDEthe tavern, nursing his cup of mead. He did not feel like partaking in the surrounding ribaldry. In truth he was feeling weary. Usually, Kieran would be amid the drinking, fighting and coupling, in that order, but now he was a man with a heavy burden on his shoulders.
Nothing held his interest. At least not for some time. His mind wandered once more to Naomi. A comely lass with raven black hair and dark brown eyes that could pierce a man’s soul. He had to admit she was a beauty, but there was no hope of crossing that line now.
A sultry voice pulled Kieran from his thoughts. “Kieran? Why are you sitting out here all alone?” He glanced up to see that it was Margarite. She was a local maid at the tavern and a woman he enjoyed talking to. But lately Margarite had been acting strangely and giving him subtle, coy glances that suggested she wanted them to be more than just friends. In fact, most women of Kieran’s acquaintance wanted more than a dalliance. They wanted marriage and bairns and while he wanted those things as well, he just never seemed to find the right woman who suited him long term. He sighed. Now he had no choice if the king ruled against him.
Kieran thought about his brother in arms. Lachlan Gair was now married to Tyra Henderson and settled well. Iain Henderson had recently married Yesenda MacDonald, who had recovered well from her near fatal injuries. They now had a healthy strapping baby boy to dote upon.
Margarite was a good sort and if they had tried becoming lovers, she may have meant more to him than just a friend. But as he watched her attempt to seduce him, he just knew they would not suit long term.
“Why do you keep looking at me that way, Margarite?”
“I am heading home now. I was wondering if you’d like to walk with me. You ken I’ve had an interest in you these many months beyond friendship. I think I could make you a fine wife and you would make me a braw husband.”
“Margarite, unfortunately, I canna give you what you want. I’d make a lousy husband besides. But I can walk you to your cottage and see you home safe.”
“Really?”
“Aye, tis dangerous with so many drunken lads about. I am leaving as well, so I might as well accompany you.”
“That’s vera kind, Kieran.”
The two set off in companionable silence. The closer they got to Margarite’s cottage, the less sure of himself Kieran felt because he felt a strange energy coming from his walking companion. Kieran glanced at her and noticed a lustful glint in her eye. Margarite was positively licking her lips and her breathing was shallow. He’d seen that look before. It was one of pure lust, and the woman in question was about to pounce. He just knew it.
Still, they were a few yards away from her door and standing by a well. Kieran decided now was a good time to leave. “Well, I’ll leave you here then. I have a busy eve ahead of me.” Kieran nodded and was turning to step away when Margarite pounced.
One moment she was a couple of feet away from him, the next moment she was plastered to his shirt.
“You sly one, asking to walk me home when you can barely keep yourself from ravishing me.” Margarite slammed her lips across his pursed ones. Kieran pulled his head away, which, given Margarite’s crushing embrace, took some doing.
He stepped away with a hand palm out in warning. “Stop! What are you doing?” Kieran demanded as Margarite stepped closer.
“No need to pretend. Tis just us now and I am ready, Kieran, so ready to be taken. You dinnae have to marry me, but if you must then take me now, my love. I have wanted your hands on me for months.”
“Hold on, lass. I was just walking you home. I’m not marrying ya!” he replied with consternation.
“Dinnae lie. No man walks a woman to her cottage and doesna expect there to be a good tupping at the end of it. But tis all right. I am all yours,” she shouted with her arms wide open and ready to attack.
“I said nothing other than I’ll walk you home and see you safe.” Kieran was now pivoting on his feet and moving side to side to dodge the reach of her arms.
“Oh, you sly fox, you want to play games first. You want to make me try to catch you before you bed me and get me with child. Well, I welcome the challenge,” Margarite lunged for him again, this time looking half crazed with lust and ready to take him down right where they stood.
Kieran barely escaped her grasp and began running around the well. “What the devil is the matter with you? Get a hold of yourself, Margarite. I dinnae want to couple with you,” he shouted.
“But all day you’ve been flirting with me,” Margarite replied, chasing him around the well.
“I have not!”
“And these past months you’ve been giving me lustful glances across the table.”
Kieran stopped then switched in the opposite direction as they ran in an anticlockwise direction. He continued to shout, “In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been in my cups half the time and barely able to stand.”
