Chapter Seven

N ala watched through the parlor window as Alexander mounted and rode out past the gates. Immediately her mind went to the day before. Thoughts of his hard body against hers, his arms surrounding her like a protective cloak.

Of their own accord, her eyes fluttered shut and she touched the tips of her fingers to her lips.

He was alone. A dangerous thing to do. As laird, he was a prime target for anyone wishing to do damage to Clan Ross. Perhaps she'd bring it up to him.

Moments later, two guards rode out at a gallop toward where Alexander went. Obviously, others noticed that he'd left.

Still touching her lips, she kept watch, her mind still reeling from being with Alexander on the shore. It was most perplexing that he'd acted as if nothing happened after they'd kissed. It could be because kissing a lass was nothing new to him. Women probably flocked to him, and he had his choice of who to be with.

Just the thought of Alexander's mouth on another woman's made her bristle. Stupid reaction. He didn't belong to anyone and certainly not her. She'd made it abundantly clear she was not going into marriage willingly.

Had he kissed her to prove a point? That she could be swayed into reacting to a man's touch?

Nala supposed if that was to be his point, it had succeeded. Her entire body had responded to him. Alexander was nothing like the young men she'd flirted with in London. Their kisses had been tepid at best. Never once had a kiss consumed her like it had with Alexander.

He was nothing like the slender, pampered men she'd known most of her life. Instead, he was the total opposite. Rugged, muscular, powerful, and dangerous. For a moment, when they'd been kissing and she'd held him, he'd given himself to her. He had responded to her touch, if the soft moans he was making while they were kissing were anything to go by.

In that moment she'd felt as powerful as him.

Then she'd suggested they marry. It was mortifying to recall it. Even as the words left her mouth, she'd wished the ground would have swallowed her up.

He wanted a wife that would be fully his. Body and soul.

He'd not rejected her, Nala supposed. He'd rejected the idea of what she'd proposed. Besides, it was expected of him to marry for the benefit of the clan. She'd bring little benefit. Yes, her father was wealthy, but so was Alexander. Her family didn't possess great stables, nor did they have a guard force that could join Clan Ross'.

"There ye are," Ainslie walked into the room looking refreshed and carrying a large basket overspilling with what looked to be linens of some sort.

Glad for the distraction, Nala walked to where Ainslie had settled into a chair and placed the basket on the floor. "What are ye doing with those?"

"Tear them into strips for bandages," Ainslie replied with a shake of her head. "After the MacLeod attacks, we ran out."

"I will help ye," Nala said and lowered to a chair opposite. "Mother and I usually tear something if someone is injured. I will suggest we have some prepared ahead of time."

"I saw ye return from outside yesterday, ye seemed upset. Yer face was flushed," Ainslie said.

"I went for a walk along the seashore until Alexander scolded me for walking too far." Nala kept her gaze lowered. Just the thought of the seashore made her heart quicken.

Ainslie chuckled. "He takes the responsibility of yer well-being seriously. Yer father trusted him with ye."

"The main thing Father and Mother wish for is for Alexander to find me a husband. I wish they'd allow me to choose if I wish to marry or nae." Nala hated the petulant tone she'd spoken in, but at the same time, she was not happy at the current turn of events.

Ainslie nodded in agreement. "Sometimes we are fortunate and find a love match. Have ye considered finding a husband yerself and not waiting for someone else to decide?"

Unfortunately, the only man who formed in her mind was Alexander and Nala let out a sharp breath. "Who, of the men here, would ye consider if ye were nae married to Cynden?"

A smile crept up at Ainslie's happy expression. "I have nae considered it. Let me think. What about Knox? He is bonny. Then there is Hendry… a bit rugged, but handsome."

Nala pictured both men and had to agree, both were good candidates. "What of their temperament? Would they be strict with me?"

"Of the two, Hendry has an even temperament. I have nae seen him ever lose his temper. Knox, I would describe as stubborn and a bit of a rogue."

"A bit?" Nala asked as she tore a cloth in half. "He is a rogue. I've heard about his many conquests. The only one I know has resisted him, is my dear friend, Sencha."

"Hmm." Ainslie tapped a finger to her chin as if in thought. "Aye, Knox would nae be a good husband. He has nae settled."

"So Hendry it is," Nala said. "I will find and speak to him. If he is agreeable. I will ask that he marry me. Then it will be done and over with."

There were several beats of silence and Nala looked up from her task at Ainslie, who stared at her slack jawed.

"He will expect his rights as a husband. Are ye prepared for it?" Ainslie asked, looking skeptical.

"I dinnae ken as yet, perhaps if I spend some time with him. 'Tis better than awaiting fate and having no say," Nala stated, not sure if Ainslie was breathing. "Is something wrong?"

Ainslie let out a breath. "I can help ye. But are ye sure? Is there no one else that catches yer fancy? That ye would possibly fall in love with?"

Again the only man who she pictured was Alexander. It was Nala's turn to let out a breath. "Aye, there is someone, but he would never marry me. It is only recently that I discovered I have deep feelings for him."

"Alexander," Ainslie said, shocking Nala.

"Why would ye say that?"

Her companion laughed. "Because the pull between the two of ye is obvious. At least to me it is. Neither of ye can keep from glancing at each other. Just yesterday at last meal, Lady Ross and I began to count how many times ye both exchanged glances."

Heat rose up from her neck. It felt as if she held her face too close to fire. How was it possible that others could see what she had not? It could be that she kept looking to him out of curiosity. Puzzled and surprised by the many sides to him. If he had kept an eye on her, it was out of the responsibility he felt.

"I dinnae…" Nala started, then began again. "It matters not. His duty to the clan dictates who he marries. I am nae in contention."

"Look around," Ainslie said, holding her arms wide. "Are there any other women who would be?"

Mentally, she pictured the people in the great room, those who came to seek the laird and others who visited. There had been several unmarried women, but they'd been villagers.

"I will speak to Hendry. If he is back from patrol," Nala insisted stubbornly.

"Two and Ten," Ainslie said with a pointed look.

"What?" Nala looked down at the bandages, she'd not been counting.

Ainslie smiled. "The times we counted ye and Alexander looking to one another. At least those were the times we caught it."

It was the next day and Nala had yet to find the opportunity to speak to Hendry. She'd taken extra care with her hair and dress that morning before attending first meal. The warrior was at a table surrounded by guards, and she'd dared not approach. He'd not once looked in her direction, which was troubling.

Taking advantage of her viewpoint, she studied him. Hendry was indeed attractive. A complete contrast to Alexander. Hendry had light brown hair that fell to his broad shoulders and bright blue eyes. The bottom half of his features were covered with a trimmed beard and mustache that suited him.

Unlike many of the others, he ate slowly and with care not to spill food. That was something, Nala supposed.

"Studying yer prey?" Ainslie whispered and Nala smiled widely.

"Aye, I am."

"Do ye require assistance getting him away from the others?" Apparently, Ainslie had appointed herself as her cohort in the endeavor.

Nala's eyes narrowed. "How would ye do it?"

"No one will suspect a thing."

Ainslie waited until Hendry finished eating and went to him as he stood. She said something to him, and he nodded. Then both came to where Nala sat.

"Miss Nala," he said. "I am Hendry. Miss Ainslie said ye wish to find a docile horse to ride?"

"Oh…" Caught off guard, Nala tried to think of a suitable reply. The last thing she'd wish for was a docile horse. "Aye. A horse. Not too docile."

"I dinnae have patrol until midday. I can escort ye on a ride if ye wish." His expression was set, it was impossible to guess what he thought.

Purposely, Nala looked directly into his eyes to see how he'd react. Hendry slid a look to Ainslie and then back to her. "Is something wrong, miss?"

"Call me Nala, please," she said. "Allow me to change my skirts. I will be down shortly."

As she walked from the room, Nala didn't look in Alexander's direction but sensed him watching. When she returned moments later wearing a riding skirt, she caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of her eyes. He openly watched her as she went to Hendry, who stood in the doorway.

Unable to keep from it as she walked with Hendry, Nala stole a look toward the high board. Alexander continued to watch, and from the way his eyes narrowed he wondered what she was up to.

Did he think she tried to get away? If she did, the last thing she'd ask was for a Ross guard to escort her.

Upon reaching the stables, Hendry asked her to remain by the fence as he hurried away. It wasn't much longer that he returned with two horses, both saddled.

To her surprise, the horse he'd chosen was almost as powerful as his.

"Do ye require assistance mounting?" Hendry asked.

Normally Nala did not, but she decided it was an opportunity for proximity. "Please."

Nala expected he'd cup his hands for her to step up and onto the saddle. Instead, he looked from her to the horse and without hesitation took Nala by the waist and lifted her to the saddle. Nala expertly straddled the horse.

She looked to Hendry, but he was looking away. This was going to prove annoying if the man paid her little to no mind.

When he mounted, he looked over at her. "Seashore or fields?"

"Fields," she replied, excited to be on horseback again.

They rode at a leisurely pace, and Hendry didn't seem to mind the silence between them. It was as if his mind were elsewhere. The whole time they rode, he kept scanning the area, keeping watch.

After an hour or so, Nala turned to him. "Does yer family live nearby?"

He nodded and pointed toward the west. "Not too far from the village. My parents and two sisters."

"How long have ye worked for the laird?"

His lips curved softening his rugged features. "I have been friends with the Ross brothers since a wee lad. It was never questioned that I would work at the keep. First, I worked in the kitchens and then as a stable lad. Finally, I trained to become a warrior."

"Ye have always known yer destiny then?" Nala said more than asked.

Hendry slid his gaze to her. "Most of us do I think."

"Mine is dictated by my father. To marry and become a wife and mother." She turned to study the open fields. Tall grasses swayed in the wind and the leaves on trees fluttered as if dancing. Sheep grazed, their tails swishing side to side on sloping hills. In the distance there was a cottage where she assumed the caretakers lived.

"'Tis nae a bad life." Hendry followed her line of vision. "I wish to marry one day, sire bairns, and live in a cottage like that one. Care for my wife, my family, my land. And nae fight anymore."

The admission took Nala by surprise. "Ye would leave the guard?"

He shrugged. "Aye, I cannae be a warrior forever. It is the role of the fit and young." Pulling his horse short, he motioned for her to do the same. Then he turned to a grouping of trees, and she followed.

"It may be nothing, but I caught sight of riders," Hendry said in a low voice.

Moments later, in the distance, a group of five men rode down a path toward the seashore. They would not come near where they hid.

Hendry leaned forward over his horse watching the men intently. "Do they look familiar to ye?" he asked.

Like him, Nala also tracked the group. One of the men was familiar. He'd been with those who'd attacked the couple in the wagon. But she couldn't admit it. "Nae. I have never seen any of them before."

"Where are they headed?" Hendry said, more to himself than her.

"We can follow them," Nala suggested.

Her companion shook his head. "Nae. If they are the attackers, I will nae put ye in danger."

If only she'd thought to bring her bow. Instead, she'd been hoping to find commonalities with Hendry and find out if a connection with him could be made.

It had not worked. The man had been distracted the entire time. Keeping an eye out for possible danger. He was working, not out for a leisurely ride.

"We must return." Without waiting for her reply, he turned his horse around and they galloped back to the keep.

Once back in the courtyard, he helped her down, once again taking her by the waist. Hendry handed the reins to stable lads giving instructions not to unsaddle his horse.

"Thank ye," Nala said to his retreating back as he hurried into the house.

She remained in the courtyard, wondering what had been accomplished. Other than spotting the attackers, which was a good thing, nothing had formed between her and Hendry.

Moments later, swords strapped to their back, four warriors rushed out of the house. Hendry, along with Alexander and two others.

As he walked past, Alexander glowered in her direction. It was as if he was furious at her.

Nala let out a huff. Whatever was his reason for being cross? If not for her asking to go on a ride with Hendry, they'd not know which direction to go in hope of possibly finding the attackers.

By the time the group rode out from the keep, another four men had joined them.

Nala wondered why they didn't take more.

Her question was answered when, yet another group of warriors rushed to the stables and once mounted followed after Alexander's group.

Closing her eyes, she said a silent prayer, asking for their safe return. She would be devasted if anything happened to Alexander.

The warriors soon disappeared from sight, but she knew all would be well. Not only would the attackers be outnumbered, but also, the Ross warriors were well trained in battle.