The maid bobbed her head. “Nathan is in the courtyard, me Laird. I shall call him in. But…” She bit her lip and lowered her gaze.
Alasdair narrowed his eyes at her. “But what?”
“Finn, me Laird. He is rather busy, and I daenae wish to disturb him.”
“Busy with what?”
The maid swallowed and looked at the floor.
Alasdair let out a breath and waved her away. “Fine. I shall go to him meself. See that Nathan is sent to me study without delay.”
She nodded and hurried off.
Alasdair made his way down the stairs toward the other side of the castle, where Finn’s room was. Even before he reached the door, the muffled sounds reached his ears.
He slowed down.
He heard a low moan at first, which was followed by a breathless groan. He pressed his lips together and lifted his hand to the door.
“Finn,” he called, knocking as hard as he could.
The moans halted, but he heard a hurried rustle behind the door.
He knocked even harder. “Finn.”
After a moment, the door creaked open, and Finn stood there, shirtless, a pillow clutched to his bare hips. His hair was a tangled mess, and his chest glistened with sweat.
“Me Laird?” he rasped, holding the pillow firmly in place.
Alasdair raised an eyebrow but kept his voice even. “I need ye in me study. At once.”
Finn cleared his throat. “Aye. Just give me a few minutes, and I will be there straight away.”
Alasdair’s eyes darted past him and into the room. Finn’s boots and trousers were tossed over a chair. On the floor, however, lay another pair of trousers and boots that were not his. He wouldn’t be caught dead wearing them, that much Alasdair was sure of. They were, however, the kind of leather boots worn by the castle guards.
Alasdair’s eyes returned to Finn. “Who do ye have in there?”
Finn’s jaw flexed, but his tone remained respectful. “With all due respect, me Laird, ‘tis none of yer business.”
Alasdair shook his head. “Then finish quickly. I want ye in me study now. Something happened today.”
Finn nodded. “Aye. I will be there.” His lips tightened almost immediately, and his cheeks paled.
Alasdair, on the other hand, groaned under his breath and turned away. Whether he preferred the maids or the guards, Finn could fight, and Alasdair needed his sword at the ready.
By the time he reached the study, Nathan was already there, standing near the fireplace. A short while later, Finn entered, his shirt hastily pulled on and his hair still mussed.
“At least someone was enjoying his night,” Alasdair muttered.
Finn smirked. “Because of yer interruption, I couldnae enjoy it properly.”
Alasdair ignored the remark and leaned against the desk. His shoulder burned, but he paid it no mind. “I didnae call ye here to speak of pleasure. Something happened in the woods.”
Nathan frowned. “Ye went out?”
“Aye. With Lily.”
Finn’s eyes sharpened. “I thought ye only went to make sure she wasnae running away?”
