Chapter Twelve

“W e must prepare for the bonfire,” Sencha’s mother announced that morning as they sat down to break their fast. “It takes place tomorrow, so I have asked Gordon to take us to the keep this afternoon.”

By her mother’s expression, she was excited for the outing. Sencha narrowed her eyes. “Is Gordon attending with us?”

“Yes, he is.” Her mother’s cheeks pinkened and joy flared in Sencha.

“I am glad,” Sencha replied. “That way we can leave the following morning.”

A trickle of sunlight came through the window casting lines of light across the table where they sat. Sencha followed the path of the rays to the floor to find her dog stretched out snoring lightly.

“It is the most perfect of mornings. I dinnae wish to spoil it by stating this, but I implore ye Mother, dinnae play matchmaker. If I find a man to my liking, I will let ye know, but I dinnae require yer assistance.”

Her mother gave her a pointed look. “If that were true, ye would be wedded by now. Ye do require help Sencha. We will remain at the keep for a day after the bonfire, to ensure that if there is a man interested, ye have time to be available.”

There was something afoot, Sencha was sure of it. Obviously her mother had formulated a plan, and it meant she’d have to be extra vigilant.

“Mother, is there someone ye would pick for me?” She hoped to gain insight and a hint as to whom her mother would be pushing in her direction.

“Oh, I dinnae ken. There are plenty of eligible men at the keep, most of them are part of the guard, which means they have a steady flow of coin. If the Grants attend, one of the sons would be a good match for ye.” Her mother tapped a forefinger to her chin. “Then there is Knox, my opinion of him has shifted. He fought tirelessly to defend yer uncle. And not once did I see him in the company of a woman whilst we visited.”

“I did,” Sencha said, unsure why she’d blurted it out. “That woman, Anni was constantly hanging on his arm.”

Her mother waved as hand dismissing the fact. “It is a shame that lass is so desperate to find a husband that she makes a fool of herself. I wish someone would marry the poor thing. It was obvious Knox was nae interested.”

It hadn’t been as obvious to Sencha, but she kept the remark to herself. So it seemed her mother didn’t exactly have someone specific in mind. Good.

A day later when the bonfire festivities began, Sencha was excited at the prospect of music and dance. So far she’d managed to avoid Knox, and she hoped to keep it that way. Being away had helped her push any feelings for him aside, but that didn’t mean she wanted to spend time with him unnecessarily. This night she planned to enjoy herself and perhaps dance with Liam, or maybe even Hendry. Admittedly, most of their interactions had been more friendly than flirtatious, but at the same time, she was comfortable around them. There was always time for them to have more interactions and perhaps it could become more than just friendly between them.

The huge bonfire was lit just outside the gates in the middle of an open field. Chairs and benches were scattered about to provide places to sit for those attending.

Over a smaller fire nearby a pig cooked, and already pieces were being sliced off and served along with chunks of appetizing bread.

With her food in hand, Sencha wandered through the people gathered looking for her mother or someone to sit with.

“Sencha!” Nala called out from where she and several others sat perched on wooden chairs with shawls over their shoulders. The light and heat from the bonfire made it so that they didn’t require cloaks or heavy blankets.

“Where is my mother?” Sencha asked looking around.

Ainslie pointed to a group of older people, which included her mother and Gordon. “She is over there.”

Just as she sat, a trio of fiddlers began playing a lively tune. Immediately people jumped up from where they sat or strode in from where they’d been standing and began dancing. As the dancers moved to the music, others clapped joining in the moment.

Sencha ate her meal, moaning at the taste of the succulent meat. “This is so good. Did ye eat?” she asked Nala who nodded.

“Aye, twice,” her friend replied. “Hurry and finish so we can dance.”

“Go ahead,” Sencha replied. “I will join ye in a minute.” She took another bite, not wishing to waste a single morsel.

Moments later, she licked her fingers and sighed happily.

Lowering to sit next to her, Knox settled into the chair Nala had vacated. At once her heartbeat accelerated and her breath caught. How could just his mere presence affect her so? Sencha refused to look at him, keeping her attention on the dancers.

She considered standing and going to join Nala but decided not to let him feel as if he mattered so much as to get a reaction from her.

“I have nae spoken to ye since ye arrived,” he commented, looking at her. “Have ye been avoiding me?”

Sencha looked to the fire before replying. “Why would I do that? If our paths have nae crossed it is nae because I have done anything.”

The corners of his lips twitched taking her attention. To her consternation, the reminder of those very same lips being against hers slammed into her mind.

“Ye seem well recovered,” Knox said studying her face. “Just as beautiful as ever.”

Taken aback at the compliment, Sencha was speechless. She turned her attention back to the fire.

A new song began, and Knox reached for her hand. “Dance with me?” He stood and pulled her to her feet.

The fact she became mute, and all thought left her head at his touch was as surprising as it was annoying.

She allowed him to lead her to join the other dancers and they began moving in time with the music, which required them to hold hands and turn in a circle. Then they changed partners and repeated the same dance.

After changing partners several times, Sencha was enjoying the dance. When she returned to Knox, he gripped her hands once again as they whirled. Both of them grinning widely.

They began another rotation as the music continued. It was a fun dance; she had to admit.

By the time the song ended she was once again partnered with Knox and too breathless to speak as he guided her away from the dancing.

Allowing him to lead her, it was a few moments before she noticed they were far away from the others. Sencha looked up. “The fresh air feels good after being so close to the fire,” she said realizing why he’d led her there.

“It is a nice night,” Knox replied, his eyes moving from her face toward the fire.

“Has yer mother found a man to marry ye?” Knox studied her face, obviously waiting for her to reply.

A sense that he hoped she would agree made her want to roll her eyes. “She is allowing me to inform her when I find someone suitable.” She leaned on a short wall, needing to put space between them.

“And have ye?” He took a step closer.

“I think Liam would be a good match for me. I enjoy his company.”

Knox’s eyes narrowed. “Company? Ye and he have spent time together then?” From the intent way he studied her, Sencha wasn’t sure if he was angry or just very interested in her reply.

“Is there any reason he would nae be a suitable match? Is he interested in someone?” Sencha asked genuinely wishing to ken. More than anything, she wanted Knox to suggest himself, but she understood it would never happen.

Slowly he shook his head. “Liam is a good man. That I ken of he is not courting anyone.”

The answer should have been satisfying. Should have made her happy. Instead it felt flat. But she smiled to hide the fact it mattered little. “That is good news.”

“We best return before Mother searches for me.” Sencha turned away only to stop when Knox took her upper arm.

Pivoting toward him, she knew she was on the brink of losing the fight and telling him it was he who she wanted. Telling him she would wait for him and not think of marriage to anyone else. Instead, she bit her bottom lip. As if by mutual agreement, they came together, their mouths meeting, their bodies colliding. Softness against solid, hands on each other, every sense overridden by desire. She could neither hear, smell, taste, not touch anything other than the man who held her in a possessive embrace, claiming her as his.

In that moment while he feasted on her mouth, their breathing intermingled, she was his, only his.

Her back to the wall, Sencha was trapped in his wonderful embrace, and she realized ownership of her body, mind, and soul belonged to Knox. He sought to touch every part of her, his hands sliding down her back, cupping her bottom, and pulling her against his arousal.

Sencha wrapped her arms around his neck with need like she’d never felt before, she pushed into him, lifting her leg and curling it around his waist. The fire inside her had to be sated, and she didn’t care how.

Taking her mouth anew, Knox lifted her skirts and glided his hand, fingers trailing up her leg to her inner thigh.

“Let me pleasure ye, give ye release.” His breathless words caressed her ear.

Clinging to his shoulders, Sencha nodded. “Aye. Please.”

As he trailed his tongue down the side of her throat to the top of her breasts, his hand traveled to between her legs and his fingers slid down the center of her sex.

Tingles of awareness shot through her, and she gasped. Whatever he did, she needed more, and she moaned loudly overwhelmed with each caress.

In the back of her mind, she wondered if he was ruining her for another man, if she was losing herself wholly to him.

It could be that she stiffened because Knox whispered into her ear, “Ye will remain a maiden.”

At the same time, he began to stroke something magical, and the most wonderful sensations were causing her to forget everything. He continued the motions over and over until Sencha exploded with so much force, she cried out. Thankfully, Knox covered her mouth with his swallowing the sounds she made.

Sencha found herself breathless once again. Although this time was very different from losing her breath from dancing, Sencha clung to him as he lowered her leg and smoothed her skirts. His chest rose and fell as he pulled her against him, his hand cradling her head as if she were the most precious of things.

“We have lingered away too long. We must return.” Sencha went to take a step away, but her legs felt like weak as a newborn doe.

Knox pressed a kiss to her lips. “I am nae sure to be able to…”

“Dinnae finish that sentence. Dinna ruin this experience for me.” Sencha found that her legs regained their strength, and she took another step away.

“Wait,” Knox held her hand. “Sencha, can we speak tomorrow?”

She nodded and hurried away, forgetting that her shawl remained on the ground next to the wall.

Sencha sat up with a start, she’d overslept. Looking over to her mother’s bed, she noticed it was empty. The first thought that came was what had occurred between her and Knox the night before. At recalling the intimacy of the moment, heat crept up from her stomach to her face. How could she possibly show her face? Faking feeling unwell was probably the best thing to do that day and remain in the room until it was time to leave.

Just then the door opened, and her mother walked in, seeming breathless and somewhat flustered.

“What happened Mother?” Sencha went to her. “Is something wrong?”

“I am marrying Gordon,” her mother blurted. “Last night, he asked. Today, the vicar comes, and our marriage ceremony will take place here in the chapel.”

Sencha threw her arms around her mother, and they circled, both laughing. “I am so glad. It took ye both long enough,” Sencha said pressing a kiss to her mother’s cheek. “Why is the ceremony so soon? Why here?”

Despite being happy for her mother, it seemed the marriage would mean she would remain at the keep at least another day.

“We spoke about it with Alexander, and he suggested it. Honestly there is nae a need to wait. We are nae young and have known each other for years. I dinnae wish to linger here overly long.”

Her mother helped her to dress. “I need ye to go to the house and retrieve my green dress, ye ken the one I wore for Nala’s wedding. Nala suggested that ye borrow a dress from her, but it is up to ye.”

Trying to keep track of the tasks, Sencha nodded, and her mother prattled on. “Bring enough clothes so that ye can remain here for another pair of days.”

Sencha pulled the strings of her skirt and tied them. “Why will I stay here? Can I not go home with ye and Gordon…” She stopped. “Never mind. Aye, of course I will stay.”

It was wonderful to see her mother’s face bright with excitement and as they walked from the room, Sencha turned for her shawl. “Mother, did ye take my shawl?”

Her mother shook her head. “I have nae seen it.”