Chapter Nine

L ast meal was smaller than usual as no hearings were held that day. Other than a small group of guards who kept watch, it was only the family, along with Sencha and her mother who remained at the keep.

Nala explained that everyone, including the laird had gone in search of Kyle. It was the last effort that would be put toward it. After they returned the patrols would be tasked with looking for him while out, but performing their normal tasks.

At the news, her mother was tense, obviously nervous at the idea of returning home and Sencha being at risk.

If she were to be honest, Sencha doubted the man would come looking for her. He was more worried with not being caught. Besides, they had Gordon and several farmhands who would ensure no one came there uninvited.

“Ye can stay as long as ye wish. There is nae hurry for ye to leave,” Nala assured them.

“Mother, we should return home. I am sure we will be safe. Gordon will nae allow anyone to hurt us.”

Her mother shook her head, a tear trailing down her cheek. “It is ye I worry about. He may wish revenge.”

There was little to be said that would soothe her mother’s fragile state. It was understandable. They’d just gone through her uncle’s situation and her being attacked. It was a wonder her mother got out of bed.

“Very well, we will remain a few more days,” Sencha said covering her mother’s hand with hers.

Sencha lay in bed listening to her mother’s even breathing. She’d drank some herbal tea that had calmed her enough so she might fall asleep, and she was now resting. Sencha on the other hand was restless.

Turning to her side, she shifted in an attempt to find a comfortable position, then she rolled to her back. Finally, she gave up and sat up. When Cook had offered her some of the same tea her mother had sipped, she should have accepted it.

Thinking that there was some tea left in the kitchen Sencha slipped from her bed, grabbed a lantern by the door, and lit it.

Thankful for the lantern as the corridor and stairwell were dark, Sencha made her way through the great room toward the kitchen. The keep was eerily silent, which was not what she was used to. During the day there were always people about, and the din of conversations seem to emanate from every corner.

Bare feet on the cold stone floor made her lift to her toes as she hurried around a corner, hoping the floor would be warmer in the kitchen. When she neared the doorway she paused as there was a light coming from inside. She placed the lantern on the floor and walked slowly to the arched doorway.

On the table where the servants had their meals was a lantern and in a chair with his back to her was a man bent over a bowl eating.

She eyed the hearth noting a pot hung over the fire, probably what he ate. She didn’t have to see his face to ken who it was.

“Knox?”

He lifted his head but didn’t turn to her.

Sencha walked in and rounded the table to look at him. When he kept his gaze downcast, she hesitated, but then placed her hands on the back of the chair at the end of the table.

“Is something wrong? What happened?”

He let out a weary breath. “Ye dinnae have to worry yerself any longer. Kyle, is dead.”

Another question died on her lips. She didn’t need to ask him. It was obvious he’d been there, or perhaps it was he who had killed the man. Instead, Sencha went to him and placed her arms around his shoulders and her head against his. “Thank ye.”

When he breathed again, it was as if he needed to hear the words.

“Sometimes,” Knox began. “It is good to be reminded that good comes from evil.”

Without thinking, she pressed a kiss to his temple. “Whatever the deed is that weighs heavily upon ye, I ken ye did it because it was yer duty. Yer purpose as a warrior. To protect the clan is a burden ye carry well.”

“Yer words…” he hesitated. “Are like a balm to my spirit.”

Sencha pulled out the chair next to his, hating to break contact with him. For she had to admit the admiration she had for him had grown into something stronger.

Needing to touch him, she leaned against him and placed a hand over his. “I remembered something that happened when I was a wee lass of about six or seven. My brother and I were playing on the seashore and I fell and cut my knees. Athol laughed and wandered away, while I sat on the shore, crying. This boy, the same age as my brother, came to me and helped me to stand. He used his tunic to dry my tears and then lifted me up and carried me to sit under a tree. When I continued to sniffle, he jumped around making sounds like a dog and pig until I laughed.”

Knox huffed. “Ye were a pitiful sight that day.”

“Ye could have walked away, the way Athol did, but ye didn’t. Even then, ye were caring and strong. It is because ye care that ye defended me and the clan today.”

He turned to her and cupped her face with his large rough hands. His eyes were stormy, his breathing hitched. Sencha ken he was going to kiss her and that she would allow it. More than anything, she needed to feel his mouth over hers.

When his lips pressed against hers, she leaned into him, returning the kiss and allowing his mouth to plunder hers. Greedily, she parted her lips to allow for his tongue to explore deeper. He tasted of ale. Her arms went around his neck, and he pulled her onto his lap. His hands sliding down her back pulling her against him as the kiss deepened.

Sencha dragged her fingers through his hair loving the feel of the soft waves threading past. When his mouth traveled from her mouth to her neck, a soft moan escaped.

Shivering from the sensations that were new and wonderful. Heat pulsed down her center and she panted in attempts to control her breathing as Knox’s tongue traced circles on the side of her neck.

Clinging to his wide shoulders, she felt as if about to lose control. Knox cupped her breast kneading it and bringing an onslaught of pure need. Sencha wasn’t sure what to do. In that moment she wanted nothing more than to feel his body against hers. She allowed her imagination free reign. This was not the time for logical thought.

Breaking the kiss, both were breathless. He pressed an almost chaste kiss to her lips and lifted her and placed her back onto the chair never breaking eye contact.

“Why are ye nae married? Ye are perfect.” His voice was husky, breathless.

The question was meant as a compliment, but the way he’d phrased it broke her heart. Knox didn’t see a future between them. Sencha struggled not to look disappointed. What had she expected that one moment between them would change him?

“The two men I have loved, my father and my brother left me. One when death claimed him, the other by choice. I dinnae see myself trusting fate enough,” she replied. Mentally she added, and now the third man I love will also go away from me.

For a long moment, Knox studied her. “Ye will nae remain alone. Of that I am sure.”

As frustrating as the conversation had become, Sencha didn’t move away. He needed her there and for this one moment, she would be there for him, just like he’d been there for her that day by the shore.

“I am sure the women of the village will be knocking each other out of the way to be with the roguish clan hero,” she teased, nudging his shoulder with hers.

“I best stay away from the village. I would nae wish for anyone to get hurt,” Knox quipped with a soft smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Sencha, I wish I could be the man for ye. I sincerely mean it. But I am nae one to ever settle. Ye understand that?”

She had to swallow past the lump in her throat. Had she been so transparent that he could see how strongly she felt? Probably because she was not used to feeling such strong emotions and had never been kissed or touched by a man until now.

“I ken Knox. I dinnae expect anything. We can remain friends.”

Not wishing for him to see that she was on the verge of tears, Sencha pushed back and stood. “I best get what I came for. It is late, Mother may wake and be upset at not finding me there.”

There was no tea left, so she walked out of the kitchen empty-handed. Even if she’d found the tea, it was doubtful that even herbs would help her sleep that night.

Her heart was broken in two, it would take more than herbs to curb the pain that replaced the wonderful sensations from just moments earlier.