Page 8 of Scandalized by My Prince
Chapter3
Killian strolled through the hall,heading toward his office. He ran into Gavin, almost knocking him to the ground. “Och, man,” he said. “Don’t you evergohome?”
Gavin laughed. “I’ve been gone for days. I arrived moments ago. Have you been so lost in your own head you hadn’t noticed my departure asennightago?”
Had it been a week since he’d found Aubriella in the valley near his castle? She’d been unconscious for days. He’d worried over her condition, but the doctor had reassured him it was normal for someone with a head injury to sleep for a few days. He wasn’t entirely sure he’d believed him; however, he couldn’t argue with him either. The doctor had trained for such matters, and Killian had been groomed to beanearl.
He’d been relieved when the lass had finally awoken. Something about her… One moment she seemed like a fragile flower, and others she was a veritable dragon. He didn’t understand her and feared he never would. Perhaps he was turning into a besotted fool over a little slip of a woman. None of that mattered at the moment. Gavin was staring at him, awaiting some kind of response, and he had none togivehim.
“If you left, why did you return?” He didn’t want to give his friend any fuel to tease him with. If he realized Killian was mooning over a woman he’d hear nothing else from him. “Did you miss Odessathatmuch?”
Gavin was fighting a losing battle where Odessa was concerned. Killian wasn’t sure why he bothered. It was clear to all around them Gavin loved her, yet he kept running at every opportunity. There had to be a reason for that. He hoped his friend shared it with himoneday.
“I have more important things to do than court your sister,” Gavin retorted as he rolled his eyes. “I’m interested in the waif you found. How doesshefair?”
Killian paused, clenching his hand tightly. His first instinct was to discourage Gavin’s inquiry with his fist, but that would make things worse. If he wanted to steer Gavin away from questions about Aubriella, he had to give him something else tofocuson.
“The lass was doing fine the last I checked,” he replied as calmly as possible. “Odessa was taking her for a walk in the garden. If you wish, we can join them. It’ll give you the opportunity to share barbs with my sister. I know it’s one of your favoriteactivities.”
Gavin scowled. “I should take you up on that offer, but not for the reasons you’veindicated.”
Killian took a deep breath and considered pouring himself a drink. A nice sniffer of whisky sounded heavenly at the moment. Between Odessa, his mother, and now Gavin, he was losing his bloody mind. Once his mother discovered Aubriella, she’d begin planning a wedding. Her romantic heart got her in more trouble than anything else. He should be somewhat grateful for her impractical nature. If not for that, he’d notexist.
“I may regret this,” Killian said carefully. “But what other reason would you possibly have for a stroll in thegarden?”
Gavin leaned against Killian’s desk and folded his arms across his chest. “I’m curious about your actions,” he said smoothly. “More importantly, I’m wondering why you’ve allowed the lass to remain at Kingsbridge. How is it you’ve not remembered that all females who are not family are poison? I figured you would have sent her packingbynow.”
Killian scowled. Gavin was right. He didn’t have the patience for any female. The reason he tolerated Odessa and his mother was because they were family. Sometimes, he believed he’d been cursed with a flighty mother and stubborn sister to drive himinsane.
“She was injured,” he said evenly. “I’m not an ogre. She should be allowed some timetoheal.”
“A tidy excuse,” Gavin goaded him. “You can tell me the truth. I’m your friend. What’s the realreason?”
Hell. Gavin wasn’t going to let it go. He’d poke and prod until Killian lost his temper and punched him in truth. Some days, he wished he could find a little peace. Other times, he was grateful for the people in his life. This wasn’t one of thosemoments.
“You’re right,”Killiansaid.
Gavin lifted a brow. “Iam?”
“Absolutely.” Killian nodded. “We absolutely should go to the garden. I think it’s the only way you’ll let thisallgo.”
He might be tightening the noose around his own neck, but it was all he could think of to distract Gavin with. Odessa would sink her claws into his friend, and he’d not have a chance to notice Killian’s fascination with Aubriella. At least, he hoped that was how it would allplayout.
“I’d rather not,” Gavin said carefully. “I’ll take your word for it. Actually, there is another matter I wish todiscuss.”
“Oh?” Killian said. “Why didn’t you say so from thestart?”
Gavin shrugged. “I had to needle you. It’s rare you do something out of theordinary.”
Killian closed his eyes and reminded himself to breathe. His patience was running short. He opened his eyes and met Gavin’s gaze. “Why did you travel a half a day’s ride to come seemethen?”
If Gavin had come by to talk about something, it was probably important. He couldn’t really blame Gavin for teasing him. Killian did it often enough regarding Odessa. Turnabout was fair play,afterall…
“It’s about that matter in Manchester we discussed before. They’re going to have an assembly regarding voting rights—I know you’re interestedinit.”
Ah, yes, that… He had been fascinated by the working class’s interest in having the right to vote. Some women were even demanding the right as well. He wasn’t sure if they would get very far with it, but he wanted to help if he could. If anything, it would stick it to his true father a little bit. That is, if he bothered to take the time to notice what was going on in the country he was supposed to helpgovern.
“When are theymeeting?”
