Page 46 of A Sinful Night with a Scot
“Are ye going tae continue?”
Alisdair shook his head and gave him a determined stare. “Nae until ye tell me what’s on yer mind.”
But Keane was unwilling to reveal what had occurred between himself and Elsie. For a start, it was none of Alisdair’s business. He was not accustomed to bragging about his bedchamber activities at the best of times. But it felt almost a betrayal of Elsie’s trust if he spoke of what had occurred between them.
There was more to it than that. Alisdair had made his stance clear. His best friend had been against Keane’s plan from the beginning. To learn now, what had happened the previous night, would likely incense him. Yes, his close companion had certainly encouraged Keane to treat her with a little more tenderness and respect. He had tried. But lord knows what he would think of him going from one such extreme to another.
And thus, to avoid Alisdair’s judgement, for he would judge him, he avoided the subject entirely.
Nodding towards the window, Keane said, “We will travel tae Larsen.”
Making the small village a few miles out of the castle his target to distract Alisdair was as good an idea as any.
His friend eyed him, evidently aware of Keane’s deflection. “Because o’ the Calder’s?” he said, clearly testing him to see if he had been listening earlier.
Keane smirked and shook his head. “Nay, Alisdair. Because o’ the tavern. Ye never made mention o’ the Calder’s in yer report.”
“So, ye were listening, then?” he quipped. “Tae some o’ what I was saying, at least.”
“Did I miss anything important?” Keane came back, hitching his eyebrow.
“Only that Gunn’s men have been spotted about ten miles away. Did ye hear me say that?”
Keane’s expression changed, and he frowned.
“Clearly nae,” Alisdair huffed. “Well, they have.”
His brow knotted at the thought of an impending attack. It was what he wanted, but he needed to be prepared. “How many?”
“So far, the reports from the scouts are contradictory. Some are saying five, others are saying more than ten.” Alisdair shrugged.“We cannae ken fer certain, but they are on the lands, and their intention is nay mystery tae us.”
“Is everything in place?” Keane said. He was certain of the answer, but he asked at any rate.
Alisdair nodded. “We’ve doubled the guards inside and out. Everyone is ready. Now, ‘tis only a waiting game. They will strike, we just cannae ken when.”
Keane nodded. “And I’m nae waiting around here tae discover it either. If they’re ten miles out, the attack willnae be today. We will head tae the village and deal with those who need our help.”
Half an hour later, he discovered Elsie in the drawing room with Anna. His new wife flushed when he walked in and Anna, reading the situation, grabbed her embroidery bag and hurriedly excused herself. Only when the door closed behind the maid, did Keane speak.
“Did ye enjoy yer sleep?” he asked, leaning against the mantle and looking down at her.
She nodded and looked a little bashful. “I did. Thank ye. Clearly, I needed it.”
A flash of his nightmare exploded into his mind.
“Ye have nae need tae thank me, Elsie. Had I nae have woken ye so early, ye wouldnae have been as tired.” Though, he didn’tentirely believe that. What her body had experienced for the first time, likely had something to do with it, too.
A sadness crossed her brow. She then stood from the sofa she was sitting on, placing the book she had been reading down behind her.
“One cannae help night terrors,” she said carefully.
But as she approached him, Keane felt his defenses rise. He did not want to discuss his nightmare with her, nor did he want her pity. She barely knew him, and under the circumstances, that was the best way forward. Indeed, he had needs as much as any other man. And when she finally let him, he would bed her. But there need not be anything more than passion.
That’s nae what ye were telling yersel’ last night at the feast.
No, but the conflict between his head and his heart was still not resolved. She was there against her will, and that point was still valid. Besides, there was a bigger danger if he allowed himself to get too close. Laird Gunn’s attack was inevitable. The laird had been humiliated and was only coming to retrieve his bride out of a sense of pride. Elsie had been a prize that had been snatched from under his nose. His reaction had nothing to do with love or affection for her.
I need tae remain objective. Something I cannae dae if me feelings run away with me.
