Page 36 of Bound to a Scot (Sins in a Kilt #2)

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

M addox had woken up in his bedchamber the same way he’d gone to sleep: alone. Adair had not returned to the keep the previous night, leaving Maddox to assume he had found the bed of a scullery maid or a tavern serving girl. He stirred beneath the bedcovers and smiled to himself as memories of coupling with Emmeline scrolled through his mind.

He knew what they’d done was wrong and that it could have dire consequences for the both of them. But as he laid there thinking about it, remembering the softness of Emmaline’s skin, the taste of her, and her moans of pleasure, Maddox felt a warm shiver run through him. He knew he should push those thoughts from his mind and should stop thinking about what he wanted desperately since he also knew he would never have her again. But he couldn’t. The more he tried to push her from his mind, the more stubbornly she seemed to remain in his thoughts.

“Bleedin’ hell,” Maddox muttered as he threw back his bed covers.

He padded across the room and splashed some cold water from the basin onto his face, washing away the tendrils of sleep that clung to him like cobwebs. Grabbing a towel, he wiped his face then raked his fingers through his hair and stared at himself in the looking glass. Maddox knew he should feel guilty for what he and Emmeline had done and that it had been dishonorable but he just couldn’t.

His feelings were genuine, his heart was true. It didn’t make the fact that he’d slept with a married woman right, but with how poorly Burchard treated her and how unhappy she was, he couldn’t make himself feel bad about it either. They had both suffered horribly and had given each other a bit of happiness, temporary though it may have been. He couldn’t believe that was a bad thing.

Maddox tried to dull the roar and got dressed. There was something he wanted to do. No, something he had to do that was long overdue. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he pulled on his boots then stood and slung his cloak over his shoulders and fastened it around his throat. After giving himself one final glance in the looking glass, Maddox turned and walked out of his bedchamber.

His first stop was at the kitchens where he managed to sweet talk the serving women into making him a plate of eggs and leftover roasted meat. They added a couple pieces of sweet bread and jam just because. After filling his belly, Maddox thanked the women and took his leave, stalking through the halls. As he rounded a corner, he found Adair leaning back with his arms folded over his chest as if he’d been waiting for Maddox all morning.

“And where have ye been?” Maddox asked.

“Here and there.”

“Whose bed did ye warm last night?”

“A gentleman never kisses and tells, lad.”

“Nobody’d ever mistake ye fer a gentleman.”

“’Tis true,” Adair said with a chuckle. “I met a lovely chambermaid by the name of Ayla.”

“Explains the glow on yer face.”

“Aye. It probably daes.”

Maddox chuckled and Adair fell into step beside him as he made his way down the corridor.

“Where are ye goin’ then?” Adair asked.

“I need tae dae somethin’.”

“What is it ye got tae dae?”

“I’ve got tae talk tae somebody.”

“About what?”

“’Tis me business. Ye should go and spend some more time with yer chambermaid.”

“She’s busy,” Adair said. “I think I’ll come with ye.”

“I dinnae want ye tae come with me.”

“I’m yer advisor. ‘Tis important fer me tae ken what ye’re up tae. I heard what happened tae ye and Lady Emmeline the other night. I was worried and had made me mind up tae go lookin’ fer ye, especially when the laird returned early and was nae happy about the two if ye missin’. And then, when ye returned I didnae even get a chance tae speak tae ye afore ye all disappeared intae the laird’s study, so I buggered off tae release some pent up tension. But that isnae happening again. I am watching ye from now on.”

Maddox sighed and knew there was no way he was going to get Adair to leave him be. When the man had his mind set on something, there was rarely any dissuading him. But he also felt guilty for the awkward and worrying situation he had put him in. However, Maddox didn’t want him to hear what he had to say. He stopped and turned to Adair.

“This is private, lad. I need tae dae this on me own,” Maddox said.

“But ‘tis me duty tae keep ye safe.”

“Fer cryin’ out loud, I’m nae marchin’ intae a room full of assassins,” he snapped. “We’re quite safe here.I’, sorry fer what I put ye through, but I’m fine. So, go see yer chambermaid or go meet a new one. I dinnae care what ye dae but right now, I need tae dae somethin’ on me bleedin’ own.”

Adair’s mouth curled and he grimaced like he’d bitten into something sour. He was concerned. And Maddox appreciated that and normally welcomed his companionship. But right then, he wanted to be alone to attend to his business privately. Adair held his hands up, chest high, with his palms facing Maddox.

“Alright, alright,” he said. “Nay need tae get yer bleedin’ knickers in a twist, lad.”

Maddox chuckled. “I’ll see ye later then.”

“Aye. I’ll see ye later.”

Maddox gave him a nod then turned and started off again. He made his way out to the sparring yard, thinking he might have a fair chance of catching up with Lorn there. And sure enough, when he stepped through the archway and into the yard, he found the man going through his forms alone. He was shirtless, his body slicked with sweat as he worked. The large man caught sight of Maddox and finished his current set for forms then turned to him.

“Laird MacLachlan,” he said with a respectful nod.

“Good morrow.”

Lorn walked over to the table and set his blade down, then picked up a towel and wiped the sweat from his face. He took a long drink of water and wiped his face again. Maddox gave the man a moment to catch his breath and collect himself. He dropped his towel onto the table then perched on the edge of it.

“What can I dae fer ye, Laird MacLachlan?”

“I wanted tae thank ye fer last night. Fer tellin’ Laird Macfie that ye sent me after her.”

Lorn waved him off. “I didnae dae it fer ye. I did it fer Emmeline.”

“I understand that,” Maddox replied. “Still, I want tae thank ye all the same. I ken ye didnae have tae dae that.”

The man picked up his cup and took another long swallow of water. He remained silent, his eyes fixed on Maddox as the air in the sparring yard crackled with tension.

“Ye’re welcome,” he finally said, his voice low.

Maddox shuffled his feet, kicking a small stone that sat near the toe of his boot. Thanking the man was only half the reason he’d tracked him down. But getting to the other half of the reason was difficult and he felt like he had a large stone stuck in his throat. He was trying to swallow it down but couldn’t seem to be able to get it dislodged. Lorn stared at him blankly, expecting him to go on. When he didn’t though, he frowned.

“Was there anythin’ else, me laird? I’ve got things tae attend tae,” Lorn said.

Maddox sighed. “Aye,” he finally managed to croak. “I’ve got somethin’ else tae say.”

“And what is it?’

“I need tae apologize tae ye. I—I want tae say I’m sorry,” he replied.

Giving voice to those words was like spitting up something sour and the words stretched his mouth in ways he was unaccustomed to. But he was in for a penny, in for a pound. For his part, Lorn looked as surprised by his words as he did in speaking them.

“I treated ye badly, Maister MacMillan,” Maddox said. “I was… unkind. Ye didnae deserve it.”

Lorn was silent for a long moment, seeming to be considering him. He finally lowered his gaze and wiped his face with his towel again then looked up.

“’Tis all right, Sir. Nae harm done,” he said.

Maddox nodded. “Thank ye.”

The two men stood in an awkward silence, neither seeming to know what to say to the other. Maddox chuckled to himself and ran his hand over his face. He hadn’t expected giving an apology to be such an excruciating exercise. He raised his gaze to the war chief’s.

“Ye care fer her, eh?” Maddox said.

“Aye. I day. But nae in the way ye think.”

“Nay?”

He shook his head. “I swore tae defend the lass, tae keep her safe,” he said softly. “She’s remarkable. Kind. Carin’. She sees the good in people. She was only fifteen summers when she came here and we grew close. I never liked how Burchard treated her. So, I try tae be her soundin’ board, her shoulder tae lean on when things are difficult fer her. Which in this household is more often than I care tae see. So, aye. I’m protective of her. But I treat her the way I’d treat me own little sister, which is how I see her.”

It was surprising to hear. Maddox had seen the affection between them firsthand and had just assumed there was something there. Or thought at least, that Lorn wanted there to be. But when he searched the man’s face, Maddox only saw sincerity. He was telling him the truth.

Lorn looked at him, his expression sober. “I see what’s happenin’ between the two of ye.”

“There’s naethin’ goin’ on between us,” Maddox said, almost choking on his words.

Lorn pulled a face. “I’m nae blind, lad. I ken somethin’ happened between ye the other night. ‘Twas written all over both yer faces. Ye’re just lucky Burchard isnae the most observant man. Ye’re even luckier his man Laith wasnae in that room with us because that man doesnae miss a thing.”

Maddox wasn’t sure what to say, so he said nothing. He lowered his gaze, trying to hide the guilt that was no doubt etched into his features. That Lorn could see what was between him and Emmeline was a problem.

“I willnae judge ye fer what ye’re doing. God knows that woman deserves any bit of happiness she can grab hold of,” Lorn said. “And whether I like it or approve of it or nae, when she’s with ye, I’ve seen her laugh more than I have in all the years she’s lived here. Ye seem tae make her happy. And fer that I’m grateful tae ye.”

“I’m nae sure what tae say.”

“There is nothin’ fer ye tae say,” he replied. “But I’ll tell ye what I told her. If ye insist on carryin’ on, ye need tae be discreet. Ye need tae be careful. Somebody’s always watchin’ around here and like I said tae Emmeline, there is somethin’ strange afoot. I dinnae ken what is goin’ on but Burchard seems tae be up tae somethin’.”

“Why dae ye say that?”

“The strange men he’s been meetin’ with fer one,” he said. “There’s just a lot goin’ on and he’s cut me out of everythin’. I dinnae ken what he’s doin’, but ‘tis nae sittin’ right with me. So, just be careful and watch yer back. But more than anythin’, watch her back. Dinnae dae anythin’ that’ll bring that man’s wrath down upon her or we’re goin’ tae have trouble between us.”

Maddox frowned, the man’s words sending a cold chill down his spine. His gut had been telling him that Macfie was not a man who could be trusted. But then again, he had a hard time trusting anybody. Hearing his thoughts confirmed from the man’s own war chief though, only made him that much more uneasy about this entire alliance. He truly didn’t know who he was getting into bed with.

“Dae ye hear me?” Lorn pressed. “Ye need tae be lookin’ out fer her.”

“Aye. I heard ye,” Maddox said. “And I give ye me word that I will.”

Lorn looked at him for a long, quiet moment then nodded. “All right. See that ye dae.”

Maddox extended his hand, which seemed to surprise Lorn, who hesitated for a moment. But then he gripped Maddox’s forearm in the warrior’s grip and gave him a nod. With that, the man grabbed his shirt and his blade and strode out of the sparring yard, leaving Maddox with his thoughts. He turned and looked through the archway, frowning when he saw Adair leaning against the column, arms crossed over his chest and a smile on his face.

“Ye made nice with the man,” Adair said with a nod. “It shows growth and maturity, mate. I’m proud of ye.”

Maddox waved him off with a chuckle. He was annoyed the man had disobeyed his order to stay away and relieved that he didn’t seem to have heard the substance of their conversation. But what worried him more than Adair knowing about he and Emmeline was what Lorn had said about Burchard. His war chief had told him he was concerned about what the man was up to, believing it to be something shady and perhaps dangerous. It was unsettling.

What are ye up tae, Macfie ?