Naomi sighed. Sorcha was the wife of Bram Henderson and sister to Beiste MacGregor. The story was well known throughout the Highlands that Bram had kidnapped Sorcha, risking the wrath of ‘the Beast’ himself to keep her. They were now happily married, with a small bairn and another on the way. Sorcha, being a MacGregor, was one of the most interfering women Naomi had ever met.
“I said ‘almost kissed him.’ Are there no secrets in this clan?” Naomi asked.
“None whatsoever. Now stop stalling and tell me everything because I dinnae have much time before I need to head to the village.”
Yesenda just grinned and shook her head. Everyone was used to Sorcha’s meddlesome ways.
“Well, I wanted to experience a kiss before I returned to the abbey. I told Kieran this, and he laughed at first, but then he became quite serious. He had this heated expression on his face. It was so intense it burned right through me. Then he moved in closer...”
“And?” Sorcha asked.
“His lips were inches away from mine. It felt so natural to be that close to me. Until he pulled away. Growled something I could not understand and stormed off.”
“Well, that’s so typical of men,” Yesenda replied.
“I felt embarrassed. I take it he did not want me, so I avoided him.”
“I would not say he did not want you,” Sorcha replied.
Naomi snorted. “Whatever it was, I felt humiliated and then, to make it worse, the following day I saw him courting another lass. She was beautiful, and I understood then that he must find me ridiculous. Then of course yestereve I came across him and Margarite in a rather sordid embrace.”
“Margarite? The one betrothed to Thamas? No, there’d be nothing there. She’s practically married to another,” Yesenda replied.
“He has his pick of beautiful women, and I was a fool to have asked him. I’m sure he despises me.”
“Sorcha, you have kenned Kieran the longest. What think you about all this?” Yesenda asked as she poured them each a warm brew.
Sorcha was reflective for a moment, then replied, “Kieran joined the MacGregor war-band when he was very young, and I was still a bairn. Over the years, he has proven himself a good man and a loyal friend. I have also yet to meet a more patient man. Lord, kens, he had his hands full keeping my sisters-in-law out of trouble. But...”
“Yes?”
“In all my years, I have never seen him react to any woman the way he does to you.”
“What do you mean?” Naomi asked.
“I’ll not lie. Kieran has courted several women over the years, but the way he behaves around them, you would think they were just a piece of wood. He displays no affectionate response beyond grunting yes or no. Even if they’re irritating, tis difficult to ken whether he likes them or not. And believe me, some women have been rather daft to put it politely, yet he is like a cold stone.”
“I’d have to agree. I remember there was a woman who set his cottage on fire accidentally to rid him of some imaginary curse. Even then he was very calm about it all,” Yesenda said.
“But what does any of that mean?” Naomi asked.
“It means that the most expressive I’ve ever seen Kieran, is when he is in your company. I’ve also noticed his eyes track your every move when you’re not looking.”
Naomi snorted in disbelief. “No doubt it is to find some fault in me.”
“Hmm, perhaps, and perhaps not,” Sorcha replied, just before she smirked at Yesenda.
Naomi missed the exchange because, to her relief, the topic changed completely.
***
IT WAS LATER THAT AFTERNOONand after dumping Naomi and then abandoning her in the great hall the previous evening, Kieran kept his distance, determined to spend as little time with her as possible. The woman got under his skin. Unfortunately, he had just received a message from Sorcha insisting he guard her on a trip to the village before the evening meal.
He knew it was supposed to be Lachlan, but the messenger said that Lachlan was unavailable. Kieran grumbled as he made his way to the cottage. But he was surprised to find Lachlan there.
“Why are you here?” Lachlan asked.
“Sorcha sent a message that I am to take her to the village,” Kieran replied.
