Chapter Thirteen

“H old. Release!” Knox called out to the archers. It was a windy day, perfect for practicing how to adjust their stance and aim. The men took two steps closer to their targets and stopped, he called out the commands again.

A guard walked toward him and stood to the side. “An escort will be required to take Miss Sencha home and bring her back promptly. It is to be a fast trip.”

“I will go,” Knox stated, not giving the man a chance to ask if he could be the one to accompany Sencha. “Why the hurry?”

“There is to be a marriage this evening. I dinnae ken if it is her or someone else. In all probability her.” The guard stalked away, obviously annoyed that he was not going to have a day away from guard duties.

Who was Sencha to marry in such a rush? It made little sense. Had her mother discovered what had occurred between them and demanded it? Obviously she’d named someone to marry that wasn’t him, else he would’ve been called in to explain.

Finding his hands were curled into fists, Knox released a breath through flared nostrils. “If anyone was to marry the lass, it had to be him. After all, he was who’d been with her the night before.

Storming into the great room, the first thing he noticed were the women all gathered at a table speaking excitedly. He narrowed his eyes in their direction. Sencha must have sensed him because she looked toward him and quickly away.

He proceeded across the room to where Alex was and lowered to the chair next to him. “I hear there is to be a wedding.”

Doing his best to unclench his jaw, he waited for the reply.

“Oh, aye, tonight. Who is to escort Sencha to get her and her mother’s dresses?”

“Why the hurry?”

Alex looked toward the group of women and then scanned the room. “It is a good match. Both are anxious.”

Nothing made sense and all he could do was look to find Sencha gathering a small satchel and preparing to leave.

“I will take her,” he informed Alexander and then walked to catch up with Sencha who headed for the door.

Without a backward glance, she hurried to the waiting carriage and climbed in. Knox signaled to the driver and climbed in after her.

Just as he sat, the carriage began moving and Sencha’s wide eyes met his. “Wh-what are ye doing?”

“We must speak.”

She pulled a cloak around herself tightly her eyes looking to the door as if she considered jumping out. “I lost my shawl.”

Knox blinked unsure why she thought to say it. “I found it. It’s in the entryway on the side table.”

“Oh.” She looked out the window. “I don’t understand why ye are here… in the carriage… with me.”

He cleared his throat. “Because we must speak.”

“There is nothing to discuss. I understand yer stance on marriage and commitment. Ye dinnae wish for the burden of a wife or family. Ye dinnae owe me anything. What occurred between us, however enjoyable, must never happen again.”

This time it was Knox who looked out the window, his mind in a jumble. Would he stand back and allow another man to marry her? Why did the thought of her with another make him want to kill whomever it was?”

He cleared his throat. “This marriage. It is quite abrupt.”

Her eyes slid to him. “Aye, it is, but I am glad for it.” Her lips curved. “Admittedly, when I first suggested it, I was unsure it would happen.”

This time his throat almost closed and he coughed. “Ye wish for it to be, then?”

“Of course. We cannae stand about and wait for things. Life continues and we grow older. It is much better to be happy than alone. Seeing my mother so happy makes me happy as well.”

“So yer mother… she is glad for it then?”

“She is.” Sencha frowned. “Why are ye so interested in this?”

This was it. He had to decide. He would either fight for her or forever lose Sencha to another. His gut clenched and mouth went dry. As a warrior he was accustomed to fear, but this moment made his blood run cold. He had a pair of hours to convince the woman in front of him that he was in love with her and would not accept that she marry anyone but him.

“Ye will marry me, nae anyone else.”

Sencha opened her mouth, but he continued speaking. Before hearing any other utterings about who this man was, he had to plead his case.

“I find the idea of ye marrying another unfathomable. There is and will forever be only one woman for me. It is ye, Sencha. Aye, it scares me, the idea of marriage, but ye marrying another is a much greater fear. I dinnae ken who this man is, but I am willing to wager, he will never make ye feel the things ye feel with me.”

He expected Sencha to be shocked by his declaration, but the silence stretched for far longer than he’d hoped. She stared at him with an unreadable expression, something between surprise and confusion. Then she began to laugh.

Sencha laughed so much, she had to wipe tears from her eyes. She’d stop, look at him and fall into new bouts of mirth. Sencha laughed until she held both arms around her mid-section.

“It hurts…oh, goodness. My stomach…” Again she began laughing falling sideways breathless.

Finally sobering, she straightened, her face pink from the laughter.

“What do ye find so funny about what I said?” Knox was hurt and angry at her reaction.

“Dinnae be cross with me.” Sencha held her stomach and let out a breath. “I have nae laughed this hard in a long time.

“Ye dinnae have to worry about having to marry me. It is my mother who is getting married to Gordon. Not me.”

“I thought it was ye,” Knox admitted, now realizing why his declaration made Sencha laugh. At the same time, it was his true feelings and that she’d not taken his sentiments seriously was concerning.

“Knox.” The way she said his name was like a caress. “Did ye really mean what ye said?”

He nodded. “Ye dinnae feel the same, I gather.” When he looked at her, Sencha remained stock-still, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip, and her brows lowered.

“I feel exactly the same, of course I do. I have for a long time,” she finally uttered.

A strange feeling like that of a burden taken from his shoulders made him feel lighter. At the same time, he was tongue-tied, unsure what to say.

“Would ye have professed how ye feel if circumstances had nae pushed ye to it?” Sencha asked in a low uncertain voice.

It was best to answer honestly. “My feelings have grown stronger for ye. After last night, I could nae stop thinking about ye. When I found yer shawl, I kept it with me, it was as if a part of ye remained with me through the night.”

Now he’d admitted to sleeping with her shawl. What would he do next, write poetry? Knox bit back on his molars. “I mean, until I placed it on the side table.” Despite his pledge of honesty, a man could only admit to so much.

There was a slight lift to the corners of her mouth. She let out a breath. “Ye didnae answer my question. It leads me to believe ye would have held back yer declaration.”

“What I said I meant. I do wish for ye to be mine.”

Her right brow arched as she met his gaze. “I am nae sure ye have changed yer ways. I have seen that village girl hanging about ye almost daily. Ye must consider if ye are truly ready to marry. To be with only one woman.”

Knox was struck silent as in truth, the idea of settling was a bit terrifying.

Leaning forward, Sencha gave him a knowing look. “Unlike ye, I have decided it is time that I find a suitable husband. As much as it pains me, I wish to marry a man who is sure. Nae one who is scared of the idea of marriage.”

Although he’d heard her words, his attention was taken fully by her proximity and the smell of sweet lavender that seemed to cling to her. Everything a reminder of how she’d come undone in his arms, how she’d tasted, and the sounds of her husky moans when he’d taken her to release.

“Knox,” she said getting his attention. “It seems we have arrived.”

It was but a matter of moments before Sencha returned from inside the house with her mother’s dress and the other items they required.

Knox had walked away to a nearby corral and studied the horses within. The animals were of good breeding stock as her brother had purchased them on one of his meanderings through Scotland.

Sencha studied Knox. Of course he was deep in thought and the fact that it was not an easy decision to be with her, broke Sencha’s heart. To her, it was obvious the man was not ready to be a husband and start a family.

Despite her deep feelings for him, she was not going to be someone a man settled for whilst wishing for his old life. Although she had no doubt that Knox would be loyal and faithful to her, over time he would resent losing his freedom.

On the way back to the keep, Sencha closed her eyes, hoping to sleep and avoid any further discussions with Knox. Once they arrived at the keep, she would make more of an effort with either Liam or Hendry. It could be one of them was ready to find a wife. Both were handsome in different ways. Liam was well-built, yet slender, with the build of an agile fighter. Hendry was quite handsome and broad-shouldered, with a cleft on his chin. Both were leaders in the guard and more importantly, her mother liked them.

“Sencha,” Knox nudged her, and her eyes flew open. She’d actually fallen asleep.

“Aye? What is it?”

“Yer neck was at an alarming angle, ye would be quite sore for the rest of the day.” He leaned close and placed a folded item against the side of the carriage so she could rest upon it. Then his eyes met hers. “There that is better.”

Leaning on the folded item that was either her shawl or perhaps an item from her mother’s wardrobe, she gave him a grateful smile.

With him so close, it was hard to keep from leaning closer and pressing a kiss to his lips. It would be a horrible mistake. The worst thing she could do.

Her eyes locked on his lips, she found it impossible to look away. Sencha almost sagged with relief when his mouth covered hers.

Her mind reeled with the many reasons she should stop the kiss, but her body paid no heed as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

They broke away, both breathless and Sencha pushed him back. “I cannae marry ye. Ye are nae ready.”

Knox sat back and crossed his arms over his chest, with a stony expression. “I am glad ye ken me so well,” he said dryly.

Thankfully moments later the carriage came to a stop as they’d arrived at the keep.