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Chapter Ten

C rossing the courtyard, Knox stalked toward the practice field. The archers would in all probability already be almost done with practice. It didn’t matter to him, he felt more like swordplay that morning.

Sencha had not been at first meal. Not seeing her that morning had disappointed him. Despite what she’d said before leaving the kitchen, she’d been hurt. It had been a huge mistake to kiss her, to touch her.

The beautiful woman was much too worthy for him to have touched her so intimately. The smell of her sweet lavender had been like a siren call to his senses. Everything about her was irresistible perfection and he’d been powerless to stop himself.

Kissing Sencha was like nothing he’d ever experienced with any other woman. It was familiar and comforting. Not only that, but when her body pressed against his there had been a feeling of comfort. A sense of finding the elusive place he could call home.

The moment had been as wonderful as it was terrifying. What had that meant? What was it about Sencha that brought so many emotions?

“Whatever yer thinking. It must be serious,” Hendry said, staring at him. “I have been standing here for a long moment and ye didnae see me.”

Knox blinked and shook his head. “True. My mind was elsewhere.”

His friend chuckled and murmured something under his breath. As much as Knox hated to ask, he was curious.

“What did ye say?”

Hendry hesitated then studied him for a long moment. “The last time I saw that look, it was when Alex realized he was in love. I would ask who she is, but I have a good idea.”

Opening his mouth, Knox started to deny it, but the words would not come out. Taken aback at the realization that what Hendry said was true, he could not formulate a response. Finally his brain kicked in. “I am nae in love.”

“So ye say,” Hendry said walking toward the practice field. “Do ye want to spare?”

By midday, Knox was too tired to think. He welcomed the exhaustion from swordplay followed by archery practice.

At the well, he pulled the rope to lift the bucket and poured the water into another smaller bucket. Carrying the clean water, he went behind the stables and removed his clothes. Then he washed up and poured water over himself to rinse.

He’d brought clean clothes to change into and dressed as quickly as possible, the brisk wind making him shiver.

When Knox entered the house, the midday meal was being served, and he walked toward a table where the guards sat.

“Knox, sit with me,” Anni materialized in front of him. “I am sitting over there with my brother.” The village girl motioned to another table.

“I thank ye, but there are things I must discuss with my cousin.” Knox made it up on the spot, not wishing to give the lass any illusions that he would want to progress to the level of speaking with her brother.

She gave him a narrow look, obviously not happy, but then turned on her heel and walked off.

With no choice but to find his cousin, he groaned at seeing Alex sitting with Nala and his aunt at the same table as Sencha and her mother.

He’d say something in passing to his cousin and then sit with the guards.

When he walked to the table, Nala stood and hugged him. “We are so proud of ye,” the beauty exclaimed. “Everyone will be able to sleep peacefully now.”

Sencha’s mother followed suit standing and taking his hand in both of hers. The woman looked to be on the verge of tears. “I appreciate what ye and Alexander did. I was so worried about my lass.” The woman lifted to her toes and pressed a kiss to his jaw and then motioned for Sencha to do the same. “Have ye thanked Knox properly lass?”

When her cheeks turned pink, she never looked more beautiful, and Knox couldn’t keep from smiling.

Eyes moving away from his face, Sencha got up and walked toward him. Like her mother, she lifted to her toes and kissed his cheek. Knox almost closed his eyes but managed to keep a pleasant expression.

“Not only did ye find Kyle, but ye helped exonerate my uncle. It is much appreciated,” Sencha said and quickly turned away.

Nala and Alex exchanged looks making him wonder if they suspected something had occurred between them. He chided himself, no one knew anything, and he would keep it that way.

“I was only performing my duty,” Knox heard himself say. “Alex, if ye dinnae require anything else from me, I will retire early.”

His cousin’s eyes traveled from Sencha to him. “Not until the morning. Take a guard and escort Sencha and her mother home. Walk through the house and around it to ensure nothing has been tampered with.”

“It is nae required. I am sure we are safe now. Gordon can take us,” Sencha protested.

Her mother gave her a look and she stopped speaking. “Gordon is nae here. We would appreciate it so very much. It will set my mind at ease.”

Knox met Sencha’s gaze for a moment, and she swallowed visibly, her eyes flying to the others at the table as if expecting they would guess what had occurred between them.

“After first meal?” he asked Sencha’s mother who nodded.

“Aye, we will be ready.”

Sencha and Nala were finally able to have time alone. They’d gone to the sitting room on the same floor as the bedchambers to sit and talk.

Nala lifted a basket of embroidery and threads and moved things around in search of whatever she needed to use next.

“I am so glad all has been cleared up and yer uncle is free to return to his life,” Nala said lifting an embroidered cloth studying it.

“The poor man was terrified. I believe it will be a long time before he recovers,” Sencha replied sipping from her glass of honeyed mead.

Just then the door opened, and Alexander entered. Although he gave Sencha a brief nod, his attention was fully on Nala. He neared and placed a kiss to his wife’s temple. “How fare ye?”

Her friend seemed to glow with happiness as she looked at her husband. “So much better knowing the danger of my dearest friend being harmed is over.”

The laird nodded. “I regret what yer family had to endure, Sencha.” He met her eyes. “Sometimes circumstances lead in the wrong direction.”

“I understand, and so do my aunt and uncle. It was true that he went to the fishing village and carried a knife which made it easy for him to be blamed.”

After a brush of his lips over Nala’s he left with a promise to take her for a walk later.

Sencha studied the door through which the man had walked. “How does it feel to be in love?”

“Both wonderful and terrifying,” Nala replied. “I cannae imagine my life without Alex. When I’m near him, my heart soars. I never thought feelings like these existed.”

“I cannae imagine.” Sencha let out a long slow breath. “It is lovely to witness interactions between the both of ye.”

“Ye will be in love soon and will ken how special and rare it is.” Nala gave her a pointed look. “Allow yerself to feel freely dear friend.”

“Ha,” Sencha replied. “If I remember correctly, both ye and Alex were not keen on the idea of falling in love.”

Nala laughed. “Very true. I am so glad not to have allowed fear to keep me from being honest with myself.”

She managed to turn the conversation to plans for other visits when suddenly Nala held up a hand. “I must ask. What about Knox? Have ye considered him? It is obvious ye and he are attracted to one another.”

“The man is a rogue, through and through. Do ye really expect he will settle anytime soon?” Sencha shook her head. “Caring for a man like him will only lead to heartbreak.”

“Is that ye or fear who speaks?”

As much as she wanted to ignore Nala’s comment, Sencha had to consider the question. “I dinnae ken.”

Morning came, and both she and her mother went to the great room for first meal. Sencha did her best not to look for Knox, but it was as if her eyes had a mind of their own and scanned the room until they found him.

He sat at the high board next to the laird, seeming to be in a serious conversation by the lowering of their brows. As if sensing her perusal, Knox’s eyes lifted and met hers and then lowered. It was but a glance and still her entire body hummed with awareness.

The sooner they returned home, and she was away from him, the better. All night she’d relived the kiss they’d shared. The way it felt to have his lips over hers and his hard muscular body against hers. The feel of his hands on her waist and cupping her breast. No matter how much she wanted to forget the experience, at the same time, it was something she wished to keep in the forefront of her memory. As hurtful as it was that he didnae feel as strongly for her, she suspected no other man would ever make her feel like he did.

In that brief encounter, it had been only him and her and nothing else. The entire world—all the people in it and all their worries—had disappeared. The air had surrounded them like a cloak, blocking everything else out. Just the sights, sounds, and smells of their intimacy were all she could remember, and it was something she would treasure forever.

“Sencha dinnae forget, ye promised to come and visit in a sennight,” Nala reminded her as soon as they sat. “We will have a picnic.”

“It will be too cold for a picnic,” her mother stated. “Unless ye wish to catch yer death, I think ye should remain indoors.”

Nala pouted. “The weather has been so temperate I had nae considered that. I will have to plan something else just as fun.” Her face brightened. “A bonfire dance,” she exclaimed clapping her hands.

“Splendid idea,” the laird’s mother professed. “A perfect opportunity for couples to court for marriage.”

Everyone turned to look at Sencha and she pretended a sudden intent interest in the food on her plate.

“Sencha, it is past yer time to marry,” her mother said a bit too loudly. Several men nearby cleared their throats.

“I do believe ye are scaring those nearby,” Sencha replied, giving her mother a warm look. “Besides, if someone wanted to court me, they would have by now.”

Nala, who was becoming much too animated, huffed. “I believe the reason ye remain unattached is because ye never leave yer house. Other than to visit me and once every other month ye go to the village. Otherwise, ye are never seen.”

“Should we speak about something else?” Sencha suggested.

The laird’s mother didn’t take heed. “We must make sure all the unattached women from surrounding areas are invited, there are many single guardsmen that require a wife.”

A couple of men coughed, one sounded as if he was choking.

Nala glared in their direction. “Dinnae try to come up with excuses not to attend the bonfire dance,” she said toward the table where guards sat pretending not to hear. “I am talking to ye, Liam, Caleb, Tom, and Hendry.”

They all replied, “We will be present, my lady.”

“Good,” Nala said with a satisfied look then returned her attention to Sencha. “We must discuss who ye find to yer liking and what ye wish for.”

“I wish for a hole to appear and swallow me alive,” Sencha replied and despite attempting to give her a stern look, her mother laughed.

“The Grants should be invited,” her mother suggested. “Their lands are near ours and any marriage would mean Sencha could remain nearby.”

Nala looked over to Sencha who mouthed no and shook her head. Her friend’s smile stretched across her face. “I will see to it.”

With that, the conversation changed to a discussion about what food should be prepared and Sencha was glad to be left alone to consider how she could pretend to be too ill to attend.

They set off for home before midday as the trip would take a pair of hours. Sencha settled into the coach and her mother sat next to her and peered out the opening. “Knox has mounted,” her mother stated the obvious. “The other guard I believe is called Liam. He is a handsome man, have ye spoken to him?”

“Aye, many times. It was obvious he didnae find me in the least bit interesting.” Sencha had only spoken to the man once, and she made up the second part.

They rode for a while discussing other things. Then, of course, her mother brought up the bonfire and Sencha admitted to not wishing to go.

“Do ye not wish to marry, but remain alone for the rest of yer life?” Her mother gave her a pointed look. “Honestly Sencha, I dinnae understand ye. What is it? Explain it to me.”

Sencha let out a breath. “Men dinane stay. I ken Father dinnae leave us purposely, but he died so long ago and ye still remain alone. Then there’s Athos. He would rather travel the world than to look after us properly.”

Her mother covered her hand with hers. “It is nae always like that my darling. Look at Nala’s parents, they have been married for a long time and are happy. Then there’s yer aunt Jane and uncle Donald. Even though yer father died, I am so grateful for the years we had together.”

“How do I ken who the right man is? What feelings should I trust?”

The carriage came to a stop, and both fell silent. The door opened and Knox peered in. “One of the horses is limping. He may have a stone caught in his hoof.”

“We will stretch our legs then,” her mother said standing and holding out her hand for him to help her out. Sencha followed suit, not holding out her hand. She let out a squeak of surprise when Knox took her by the waist and lowered her to the ground.

Her face reddened, but she kept her attention on the ground and hurried toward the side of the road. Her mother was studying a patch of what looked to be weeds and then bent to study them closer. “I believe this is feverfew, see about getting something to dig it out by the roots dear.”

Sencha gave her mother an incredulous look. “What exactly do ye think I can find to undergo such a task?”

“Ask Knox for his dagger.” Her mother made shooing motions with her hands and continued to search further.

Trudging back to the carriage, Sencha approached Knox who watched the other guard inspecting the horse’s front hoof. “I need to borrow yer dagger.”

With a pinched brow he turned to her. “Who do ye plan to stab?”

“Mother wishes for me to dig up a plant by the roots.”

His eyebrows shot up. His eyes widened. His hand went to the blade at his hip. “With my dagger?” Obviously he found the thought of his blade going into the dirt offensive.

For some reason, Sencha found it amusing and she held out her hand. “Dagger please.”

Rounding her, he went to his horse and from a saddlebag, pulled out a small spade. “This would better serve ye.”

She eyed him. “Why do ye carry this?”

“There are many times it is required, especially when one has to spend days outdoors.”

Understanding and not wishing for a more elaborate explanation Sencha reached for it.

“Ye act differently toward me as of late.” His gold speckled eyes met hers and she almost lost her ability to breathe. “I wish things could be different between us.”

It took a great deal of willpower, but somehow she managed not to kick him. The statement was ridiculous since it was he that ensured she understood he had no plans to settle. At least not with her.

Instead of replying, she took the small spade and went to find her mother, who was pointing at another plant. “Sage,” she said by way of explanation. “This is a most fortuitous stop,” she added with a firm nod.

It was late afternoon when they arrived at Sencha’s home. Before Knox could help her out, Sencha pushed the carriage door open and scrambled down. Using the excuse of putting the surprisingly still thriving plants into the ground she hurried away.

The small garden outside the kitchen was a bit overrun with weeds. The task would give her something to do for the next few days. A good distraction, Sencha considered. From a line of pots with only dirt inside Sencha got two and placed them onto a bench.

Voices of the others, including Gordon who’d come to greet the carriage carried over.

“Ye were to wait until we ensure the surroundings were safe,” Knox said striding into the garden.

Sencha didn’t bother to straighten from digging into the dirt with her hands and gently putting the new plants into place ensuring not to bruise the roots. “I am sure if anything was amiss, the farmhands would have rushed to inform us.”

“I like this place and have often considered building a home like it on my land.” Knox’s statement had a tinge of wistfulness.

“Why do ye nae do it?” Sencha asked her attention on the second plant.

“Living alone does nae appeal to me now. When I am older and no longer a guard, I will do it.”

Sencha looked up to him. “Living alone when older seems a sad existence.”

Their eyes held for a long moment, and it was Sencha who looked away first. “I would nae wish to grow old alone.”

Liam rounded the corner and stopped at seeing them. “Everything is well. We have been invited to remain for a meal.” He glanced to Sencha. “Yer mother is very kind.”

Sencha smiled at Liam. “Aye, she is. Beware, she is on the hunt to find me a husband.”

“I dinnae mind,” Liam replied with a crooked grin.

When Knox’s eyes narrowed, she pretended not to notice.

“Ye say that now,” Sencha teased back rounding Knox and walking to Liam. “I will show ye were ye can wash up and then help Mother make something for the meal.”

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