Chapter Eight

Two days later

K nox woke and sat up. For the first time, his head was clear and there was no headache. Tentatively, he slid to the edge of the bed and stood. His head remained clear and without pain. With a smile, he dressed then went to the window and pushed open the shutters to look out.

It was early yet and there was little movement in the courtyard. There had been no progress in finding Kyle. There was talk that he must have evaded capture by going to the mainland of Scotland. Somehow making it past the reinforcements sent by Alexander and those provided by his other cousin, Munro, who lived closer to the border.

Soon the day would arrive that Sencha and her mother would return to their home. It was inevitable, and he hated that they would be living in a house that offered little protection, other than a pair of farmhands.

As of yet, he had not identified what he felt for Sencha. Although the need to protect her had surged in him, he wasn’t sure what it meant. He had no intention of settling down, yet, if ever. To allow any more impulses like the one in the garden would mean she’d expect something from him. Courtship and the like. Something he had never done. Recalling the words he’d spoken to her, he frowned. Whatever had made him say it?

Over the years he’d kissed and seduced many women, even believing himself to be in love with several, but the feelings had always disappeared. With Sencha, he’d admired her for years without his interest in her ever waning. Perhaps it was because he’d not had her. And yet, the simple soft almost friendly kiss between them had shaken him. He’d wanted more. Had wanted to pull her closer and kiss her until they were breathless.

What was different? Was it that it wasn’t just sexual with her? No. This time it was different. He wanted to be close to her. To see her every day. Which he had made sure happened ever since the kiss.

He’d walked by and greeted her every morning, every afternoon, and every night. During meals, he’d managed to sit where he could watch her interact with the other women at the table. He’d not missed any opportunity to speak to her, even when she was accompanied.

Her mother had begun to cast suspicious glances in his direction, but he’d pretended not to notice, averting his gaze from Sencha, pretending interest in other people in the room.

Whatever was happening, he had to put an immediate stop to it. The last thing he wished for was to give Sencha the wrong impression.

Upon entering the great room, he groaned inwardly when he immediately searched the room for Sencha. She was not there, and neither was her mother.

Had they left?

Just then the scent of something sweet and floral wafted over to him and he turned to see Sencha make her way from the staircase. She smiled broadly and he turned so swiftly to look who she directed the smile at that his neck cracked.

Hendry walked to her and greeted her with a wide grin. “Sencha, ye look much better.”

“I feel better,” she replied good-naturedly. Then she noticed Knox and her cheeks pinkened and she returned her attention to Hendry.

Good for them, Knox wanted to actually mean it, but the tightness in his gut at seeing her with his friend made him want to punch Hendry.

“Thank ye, I may take ye up on the offer. I do feel the need for fresh air.” Sencha said making her way in Knox’s direction.

Just then Hendry noticed him and gave a friendly wave before walking toward the courtyard.

Her face was not as swollen, yet the remnants of the attack remained. The swelling was all but gone, only a bit of purpling remained beneath her left eye and in her jaw area.

“Do ye feel better?” Sencha asked lifting her gaze up to meet his.

“I am well,” Knox replied. “What was that about?” He asked motioning toward the door where Hendry had just walked out through.

For a moment she looked confused and then seemed to realize what he asked about. “I asked Hendry the other day to let me ken if he was able to escort me for a walk outside the gates. Nala said he often accompanies her and Ainslie out.”

“I dinnae think it safe for ye to be out alone with only one guard as yet.”

At her crestfallen expression he wanted to take the words back. “I am sure we will find Kyle soon. Then ye will be free to do as ye wish… with Hendry or… with me.” He gave her what he knew to be a grin that often got him anything he wanted from women.

Seeming unfazed, Sencha straightened and looked him in the eyes. “I dinnae have to listen to ye. If I wish to go for a walk, then I will.” There was challenge in her green eyes. “Would ye allow me to pass? I am very hungry.”

Unsure what to say in response, he stepped sideways, and she brushed past.

Knox, along with Cynden, Hendry, and another leader called Liam sat in Alexander’s study. The room with its simple furnishings was at odds with the ornate chair the laird now sat in. It had been a gift to the late laird from a wealthy merchant in appreciation for Clan Ross’s protection when the man’s ships arrived on the northern shore.

“Other than the search for Kyle, we must ensure to keep men patrolling the border next to the Grant’s lands,” Alexander stated. “Although we are on friendly terms, I dinnae wish to give them the impression we are complacent.”

Hendry spoke next. “There is no sign of Kyle anywhere. If he is in hiding, there must be someone helping him.”

“I thought of that,” Knox interjected. “It may be that we have to search house by house.”

Alexander frowned. “I dinnae like to do it. People will resent it. However, if someone is harboring that man, whether willingly or not, it is best we find out.”

Everyone waited as the laird pondered what had to be done.

“We can begin by asking for permission to enter. Just one guard, non-threatening,” Knox added.

“Do it,” Alexander replied. “Start at the village, those who live there and nearby. I have a feeling he didnae go far.”

As the men stood to go and instruct their teams, Alexander stopped him. “Knox, please stay back.”

Knox sat back down and waited for the others to leave.

“Do ye feel well enough to ride?” Alexander’s concern was both annoying and endearing.

“I do,” Knox replied. “I am anxious to find this man and see him punished.”

His cousin nodded in understanding. “I think Sencha and her mother should remain here. Nala is worried about them returning home and I do not like to see my wife upset.”

Unable to keep from it, Knox grinned. “Ye are deeply under her spell, cousin.”

“And I dinnae deny it,” Alexander replied, grinning back. “I will ride with ye. When do ye plan to ride out?”

“First I will eat something,” Knox acknowledged. “I missed first meal.”

At Alexander’s questioning look, Knox shrugged. “I was on my way in when ye called us in here.” It was partly true, he’d not gone into the great room behind Sencha, opting instead to speak to Hendry. He’d informed Hendry that he was not to take Sencha out for a walk.

Not only was the lass still recovering, but it was dangerous if the man who’d attacked her was nearby. What he’d said was true, although if he were to be honest, he didn’t like the idea of Sencha alone with Hendry.

The warrior had shrugged as if it were nothing important. It made Knox wonder if Hendry was not as interested romantically in Sencha as Knox had thought. He’d almost asked, but stopped, not wanting to give Hendry fodder that could be used against him in jest.

When assignments were handed out, Knox, Alexander, and two warriors had been given the area just east of the village. It contained several farms, along with a few cottages.

It was a pair of hours before they arrived at the first cottage. There didn’t seem to be anyone about, so they approached the cottage and Knox dismounted.

At approaching the door, a man opened it and looked at him and then to the others. “What is it?”

“There is a man who is accused of murder in hiding. I wish to ensure ye and yer family are unharmed,” Knox stated, looking past the man’s shoulders to the interior.

Inside a woman sat by the hearth, a young child on her lap. When she met his eyes, it was obvious she was anxious. He wondered if her husband beat her.

The man nodded, again looking past him to the other three mounted men for a scant second. “We are well. No one has come here or approached us. He glanced over his shoulder to his family. “I will keep them inside and keep watch.”

“Perhaps he went out to sea,” his wife added, her voice shaky.

The man glanced over his shoulder. “Will we be notified when he is captured?”

Knox nodded. “Aye, men will be sent out to ensure everyone is aware.”

They approached several other homes with similar results. Knox’s neck and shoulders ached from frustration.

“He could nae have just disappeared,” he gritted out. “The man is not that wily to evade all of our guardsmen.”

Alexander scanned the surroundings, his expression grim. “Why would he kill Fitz? It seems most people had a good opinion of the dead man.”

“Kyle is filled with hate. I believe him to be mad,” Knox replied.

Upon approaching a house surrounded by fields, they once again neared, and Knox dismounted. A woman opened the door, her eyes moving from him to Alexander and the other warriors. “What happens?”

Knox related the same information he’d given the other people. She let out a long breath. “I have nae seen anyone about.”

Effectively dismissing him, she closed the door before he could say anything more.

He mounted and glanced back at the house. “I supposed we should return, nothing else in the area.”

Alexander motioned to the two warriors. “Ride to my brother’s lands and ensure a search continues. Sleep there and return in the morning.”

The pair of men rode off.

Urging their mounts forward, Knox looked to Alexander. “The woman may be right. If Kyle left right after setting the hut on fire, he could have gone past the inlet and out to sea. The search for him didn’t commence until after I came to, which was late the next day.”

“I have thought the same,” Alexander responded. “Let us wait for the others to return. I will give the search another day and then call it off. Patrols can keep an eye out for him after tomorrow.”

“What of Sencha and her mother?” Knox asked, immediately annoyed with himself.

Alexander’s brows rose when he looked to him. “She is nae one to be played with. It is best that ye keep away from her.”

“What do ye think I will do? Defile her? She is a childhood friend.”

“And a beautiful woman,” Alexander countered. “Let us be honest. Ye are nae interested in more than conquest and she is one who has evaded ye.”

Something akin to fire rose from his stomach up to his chest, when the heat reached his face, Knox gritted his teeth. “As I stated, I have no romantic interest in her.”

“Tell that to yer face,” Alexander snapped. “I love ye, cousin. And I know ye. And I ken ye bore quickly once the conquest is accomplished.”

What did he feel? Was it true that if he managed to get Sencha to allow him to court her, he would get bored? Somehow, he knew it was quite the opposite, and the thought terrified him.

“I am considering sending guardsmen out to sea in bìrlinns to the neighboring isles to inform the local lairds about the killer.”

“What?” Knox turned back to Alexander. “What did ye just say?”

His cousin gave him a curious look. “I said to be considering sending…”

“Out to sea,” Knox interrupted. “We have to go back.” He turned the horse around, urging it into a gallop. “He is at the first house we stopped at.”

Alexander caught up and called over to him. “Why do ye think that?”

“Because I never mentioned anything about Kyle being a fisherman and the woman responded that perhaps he’d escaped by sea. Why would anyone think of that?”

They tethered the horses a good distance away from the small house. Then Knox and Alexander walked the rest of the way, keeping to the trees and bushes they could hide behind. Knox signaled for Alexander to remain behind a tall bush as he rushed to a tree closer to the house.

Somehow he had to approach from the back and not be seen. He worried about Alexander, it was not a good thing to get the laird injured. Of course Alexander would scoff if Knox suggested that he remain outside.

With an eye on the back window, he crouched and ran to stand on the corner of the house that would be invisible to anyone peering out. A few moments later, Alexander did the same.

Alexander silently signaled for Knox to round the cottage. He would whistle when in place and they would enter from both sides.

Rounding the small cottage, Knox unsheathed his sword. Once the blade was in hand, his body tensed, ready for battle. At the same time his breathing slowed, without direction, his instincts persevering energy.

So much discord and so many battles in the last years that his mental and physical worked as one without him having to take time to prepare.

Nearing the back door he waited until hearing a shrill whistle and at the same time both he and Alex each kicked in a door. Screams filled the air as the woman and man scrambled under the table dragging a small child with them.

Caught unaware, mouth agape and only a knife in hand, Kyle turned in a circle first to the back door and then to Alexander.

The man knew he wouldn’t win, and his hand trembled when holding up the feeble weapon. No contest against trained warriors and swords. “I will kill them,” he threatened, glancing toward the table.

Alexander shook his head. “It is ye who will die today.”

When Kyle turned to look at him, Knox advanced and sliced at the hand holding the knife almost severing it from his arm. Kyle yelled as the knife fell to the floor, barely making a sound.

The man turned toward him. “I am owed a fair trial. Ye cannae prove I killed Fitz.”

“Ye tried to kill me and the woman,” Knox said in a calm voice. “I can prove that. I was there.”

The man had the audacity to give him a triumphant look and turned to Alex “Laird, I felt threatened by him. I was defending myself.” Seeming to realize he was bleeding profusely, he grabbed his hand and cradled it against his stomach.

“And the lass?” Knox asked, tired of talking to the idiot. “Ye felt threatened by her?”

Kyle hobbled toward him. “I will go willingly.”

As he passed the table, his gaze moved toward it and quick as a rabbit, he tried to grab another knife with his left hand.

It was all Knox needed. Before the man could grab it, he thrust his sword into the man’s stomach and yanked it upward.

Kyle stumbled backward; his eyes went wide then he looked down at the open wound. He tried to say something, but lost the battle and collapsed to the ground, his left hand against the wound, the other uselessly hanging at his side as he tried to help himself.

At the man falling to the ground, the woman under the table screamed and the child began to cry.

Both he and Alexander exchanged glances, neither wanting to be who would try to calm the people. His cousin lost the silent exchange. As laird it would be more appropriate that he be the one who spoke to them.

Knox went to the dying man and taking him by the feet drug him from the room. Behind him, Alexander spoke in a calm voice to the family, coaxing them from their hiding places and no doubt offering to send men to make any necessary repairs.

When Alexander walked out, Kyle was dead. Knox nudged the body with the toe of his boot. “What are we to do with it?”

“The man said he would bury him.” His cousin looked down at the body. “I suppose we will never ken why he killed Fritz.”

Despite the sense of relief at removing the threat, Knox had a tightness in his stomach as they rode away. No matter how many battles, or how many times he’d had to kill someone, after everything settled the fact he’d taken a life was not easy to accept.

His cousin understood and gave him time to brood as they continued on their way home. After a long time, Alexander met his gaze.

“If ye didn’t kill him, I would have. He was going to be put to death regardless, and I didn’t want the spectacle of a public execution. Our clan has had enough of it.”

Knox nodded. “I thought the same.”

“No matter what I say, it will nae help ye go through whatever ye need to do. Each time we do our duty, it leaves something behind that we will always carry,” Alexander told him.

“Sometimes I tire of it. If only we could have peace. But it seems that people can never be completely at rest. They allow anger, resentment, and jealousy to take over. So the battle never ends.” Knox let out a weary sigh.

They continued in silence, as there was nothing else to be said. When a creek came into view, they rode to the water’s edge. Knox dismounted and went to wash his face and hands of the dead man’s blood, hoping to remove any evidence of what had occurred.

Then he walked into the chilled water and dunked into it, boots, clothes, and all. A calmness took over as the water cleansed more than his body.

When he walked out of the creek, his cousin stood by a tree, silently keeping watch. “Are ye ready to go home?”