Page 17 of Bound to a Scot (Sins in a Kilt #2)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“ W hat did ye expect tae happen?” Adair gasped, sounding exasperated. “Lorn is nae only the clan’s war leader but, as I understand it, he’s also one of her closest friends and advisors. She’s loyal tae the man, which is admirable, and ye attacked him.”

“I didnae attack him. We had a spar, that’s it.”

“Aye, well, ye shouldnae even be thinkin’ about her, let alone challengin’ her war leader tae a sparrin’ match, ye donkey,” Adair said. “What in the bleedin’ hell were ye thinkin’?”

Maddox grimaced. “I wasnae thinkin’.”

“Aye. That’s the truest thing ye’ve ever said,” he growled. “And the lady is right. Ye acted like a foul tempered little bairn.”

“Aye, I get it, all right? Ye made yer point.”

“Did I? Because I thought I made me point before. And yet, here we are havin’ the same bleedin’ conversation.”

“Enough, Adair.”

“Is it though? Because ye seem tae be havin’ some trouble gettin’ it through yer thick bleedin’ skull,” he snapped. “Ye’ll never have Emmeline. She’s nae yers tae possess. Ye’re goin’ tae be married tae Cecilia, nae Emmeline. And by continuin’ tae act like a donkey, ye’re jeopardizin’ everything.”

Maddox blew out a loud, frustrated breath and turned to Adair, a cross expression on his face. Having the man continuing to pound him with the fact that Emmeline would not be his and chastising him for everything he’d done was annoying. It was annoying though, because Maddox knew the man was right. If Macfie caught wind of him mooning over his wife, the consequences would be severe. And not just for him, but for his people. Maddox just didn’t like having his folly thrown into his face—then ground into it like a sweetcake at a wedding ceremony.

“The only good thing tae come of this mess ye’ve created is that it sounds like yer insecurity and need tae impress her pushed her away,” Adair said. “That should make it easier fer ye tae get the lass out of yer head once and fer all.”

Maddox stared out the window and grumbled quietly under his breath. He had a feeling Adair was going to keep beating this dead horse and he wasn’t in the mood to listen to it. Especially since the man was right and Maddox knew it.

“I’m goin’ out,” he said as he turned and strode toward the door.

“And where in the bleedin’ hell dae ye think ye’re goin’?”

“Tae get some air,” he replied. “And tae get away from yer bleatin’.”

Without waiting for a reply, Maddox walked out of his bedchamber, closing the door behind him harder than was necessary. He wasn’t content to stalk the halls. Knowing how awkward it would be to run into either Lorn or Emmeline plagued him, so he took the first exit out to the grounds. Maddox walked through the garden, then through a small, discreet gate in the stone wall at the rear of the keep, and into the wilderness beyond.

The stars twinkled in the sky overhead like jewels spread out on black velvet and there was a slight touch of warmth in the air. It was a beautiful night. And as Maddox followed the path through the forest, he breathed in the earthy aroma of the forest around him. Being out amongst the trees, listening to the song of the nightbirds and the insects had a calming effect on Maddox. It always had. Back home, when things were getting to him, he always took a walk through the woods and by the end, his spirits had been lifted.

Maddox followed the gentle burbling sound of a nearby stream. He noticed that thick clouds of steam rose from behind a wall of stone and grew curious. But what drew his attention even more was the soft sound of singing that drifted out from behind the stone wall alongside the steam. Moving quietly, Maddox walked around the stone wall and froze.

“Bleedin’ hell,” he muttered softly.

Emmeline stood in the hot spring before him, naked as the day she was born. She stood waist deep in the steaming, bubbling water, her round, full breasts completely exposed. They both stood still as statues, neither of them speaking or moving. Maddox wasn’t even sure he was breathing in the moment as he gazed at her soft, alabaster-colored skin, feeling his arousal growing. She was the most beautiful, most perfect creature he’d ever seen.

A shrill shriek burst from Emmeline’s mouth as she wrapped her arms around her chest protectively, shattering the stillness of the forest.

“What in the bleedin’ hell dae ye think ye’re doin’?” she screeched.

“I’m sorry. I was just out fer a walk?—”

“Turn around! Dinnae stand there gapin’ at me.”

Memories of her supple skin and full breasts still flashing through his mind, Maddox gave his head a shake, pulling himself back to the moment. He quickly spun around, facing away from her but couldn’t keep from seeing her body in his mind’s eye. Maddox listened as she splashed in the water then heard her step out of the pool followed by the rustle of cloth.

“Ye can turn around now,” she said.

Maddox did, slightly disappointed to find her wearing a thick cloak over her shift. She folded her arms over her chest and glared at him. Her cheeks were flushed, and embarrassment was etched into her features.

“I truly am sorry. I didnae mean tae… tae see ye like that,” he said quickly.

“What are ye doin’ out here?”

“I came out fer some air,” he said. “I just needed tae get away from Adair fer a bit.”

Her features softened and the light of anger faded slightly, though her mortification remained. Maddox shifted on his feet and pulled his own cloak around himself a little tighter, trying to hide his arousal. The whole situation was embarrassing enough for both of them without having her see that.

“Ye shouldnae be out here alone,” he said. “The woods can be a dangerous place.”

She sat down on a flat stone and pulled on a pair of boots. As she did, she picked up a sheathed dagger and showed it to him.

“I can protect meself,” she said. “Besides, I’ve been out here a thousand times and never had an unexpected run in with anybody. Nae until now.”

Maddox chuckled softly. “Apologies, Emmeline. I truly didnae mean tae stumble on tae ye like that. I just heard the water and saw the steam. Then I heard the singin’ and was curious.”

She pursed her lips and studied him for a moment, then turned away, the last vestiges of the anger in her expression fading.

“I dinnae suppose ye could have expected tae find me out here. I suppose ‘twas me fault as much as yers,” she said.

Trying to banish the image of her soft, supple body from his mind, Maddox turned his gaze to the hot spring, watching the steam curling off the surface and drifting up toward the heavens.

“The water looks nice,” he said.

“I prefer bathin’ out here than in the tub in me chambers,” she said. “The water is warmer and I have more privacy. Usually.”

She said the last with a small grin, telling Maddox she was teasing and now that the moment of shock had faded, she could see the humor in it. At least a little bit. But the quiet tension still hung in the air between them, making Maddox think she was still upset about what had happened earlier that day. And as Adair’s words echoed through his mind, he knew he could not blame her for it.

“Emmeline, I’m very sorry fer what happened with Lorn earlier,” he said. “I was out of line. I took things too far.”

She seemed to think on his words for a moment before nodding. “Thank ye fer sayin’ that.”

“Is he all right?”

“He’s fine. Stubborn mule of a man,” she replied with a laugh. “I will say, ye impressed him with yer skill. He admitted ye got the best of him.”

“He did, eh?”

“He did.”

That was an unexpected bit of news. But he was glad the man did not seem to be holding on to any bad blood over what happened. It didn’t do much to alleviate Maddox’s jealousy, as confounding as it was, but he was glad they would probably not be openly feuding. That would make an already awkward situation even more awkward and strained. He was glad if they could avoid that and let him deal with his petty jealousy on his own.

Maddox’s gaze remained fixed on the water in front of him as he continued hearing Adair’s voice in his head. Everything inside of him was screaming for him to get up and leave. To not engage with Emmeline. Adair’s voice kept reminding him that Emmeline would never be his and that he had to stay away from her lest he jeopardize everything they’d been working toward. Gritting his teeth, Maddox pushed Adair’s voice, as well as his common sense, out of his mind and turned to her.

“May I ask ye a question?”

“Of course.”

“Why dae ye bathe so close tae the shore? Why nae sink intae that water?” he asked. “Seems tae me like it’d feel nice.”

A shadow crossed her face, and she frowned. He could see the answer to the question wasn’t as simple as he might have thought. It obviously stirred something up inside of her.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “Ye dinnae need tae answer that if ye dinnae want tae.”

“Nay. It’s fine,” she replied softly. “I just have a fear of water. And bein’ underwater… it terrifies me like naethin’ else in the world.”

Maddox leaned back against the stone outcropping and thought about her words. He’d never considered the idea that somebody could be afraid of water—even bathwater—before. Especially since he loved swimming and loved the water. There was little better a feeling than being in a birlinn out on the open water. Seeing that horizon stretching out to infinity in front of one felt like freedom to Maddox.

“Ye probably think that’s silly,” she said.

He shook his head. “Nay. I dinnae,” he replied. “We all have fears. We all have those things that shake us tae our very souls. Yer fears are nae sillier than anybody else’s.”

She offered him a small, grateful smile. “And what is it ye’re afraid of, Maddox.”

His deep, booming laughter echoed through the trees. “Ye’ll think me fear is silly.”

“Ye didnae laugh at mine. I shall nae laugh at yers.”

“Ye say that now.”

“Just tell me,” she laughed.

“Bees,” he said. “I hate bees. They hurt.”

He could see her struggling to hold her laughter back, but it was a fight she lost as a loud guffaw burst from her mouth. Her laughter was high and musical. It was a sound as beautiful as the woman it came from, and Maddox knew he could never tire of hearing it.

“I’m sorry. I promised ye I wouldnae laugh,” she said.

“’Tis fine. I ken it’s a silly fear. But I’ve had it since I was a bairn.”

They fell silent for a moment and Maddox couldn’t help but notice the tension in the air had evaporated completely. When she turned to him and their gazes met though, he felt like he’d been hit by lightning as his stomach turned over on itself. Images of her naked body flashed through his mind once more and he felt his arousal growing ever harder.

“I’m tryin’ tae overcome me fear of the water,” she said. “I go a little deeper intae the pool every time I’m here.”

He nodded, thankful for the distraction. “’Tis a good way tae start overcomin’ yer fear, Emmeline. It may nae seem like it now, but it willnae be long before ye conquer it completely.”

“I hope so. Sometimes it just feels overwhelmin’.”

“Aye. Conquerin’ our fears can feel that way. But ye’ve got a core of iron in ye,” he said. “If anybody can dae it, I’m sure it will be ye.”

She offered him a smile filled with gratitude. “Ye think so?”

“I ken so.”

Her gaze lingered on his for a long moment as she bit her bottom lip. The space between them filled with the same kind of tension he’d felt when he’d been in her bedchamber. He recognized the longing in her eyes because it matched his own. Emmeline finally turned away, breaking the growing tension and cleared her throat.

“I should be gettin’ back tae the keep,” she said. “Kenna will be sendin’ out the guard tae look fer me if I dinnae return soon.”

“Aye. We dinnae want that.”

“Nay. We dinnae,” she said.

“Again, I’m sorry fer walkin’ up on ye like that.”

“’Tis all right. ‘Tis nae yer fault.”

“Keep workin’ on movin’ deeper intae the pool,” he said. “Ye’ll be over that fear before ye ken it. I promise.”

“I will. Goodnight, Maddox.”

“Goodnight.”

He watched her walk away, his gaze fixed on her until she rounded the stone outcropping and disappeared from sight. When she was gone, he let out a long breath and leaned against the stone and covered his face with his hands, trying to shut out the images of her naked form. Try as he might though, he couldn’t stop seeing her. Couldn’t stop wanting her.

“Bleedin’ hell,” he muttered.

More aroused than he’d ever been in his life, Maddox stripped out of his clothing and entered the pool, both to enjoy the warm, relaxing waters, and knowing he would never have Emmeline anywhere but in his own mind, to handle his arousal on his own.