Page 38

Chapter

H e didn’t expect to see her in the hall so early.

After finding his bed last eve, Kieran had used the fresh water and cloth left for him and promptly fell asleep after a long day.

He woke up thinking of her, as he’d been dreaming of pulling Maisie onto his lap, his hand moving slowly up her thigh as he kissed first her neck and then her lips.

In his dream she was soft, welcoming. His hand inched higher and higher toward his ultimate goal . . .

Dammit.

It was nothing more than a dream. One he’d do well to forget.

Trouble was, even after dressing and remembering why he woke in a wee bed at the Red Stag Inn and not his own back home, Kieran still had difficulty putting her from his mind.

Which was the exact reason he should not walk up to her and say the one thing likely to deepen a relationship that could prove problematic.

Kieran was no fool.

He’d been with women. Knew his mind. And also knew . . . there was something special about this one. Maisie made him feel things he had no inclination to feel given the events of these past days. Given the position, or lack of one, he found himself in.

“Good morn to you, my lady.”

Or perhaps he was a fool after all.

There were just three others in the hall—one patron, Maisie, and the girl who’d served him the day before.

Maisie spun around to face him. “Good morn . . .” She paused.

“Kieran,” he offered.

“Aye, I know your name.”

She wore a simple kirtle this morn, but even so could not possibly appear any lovelier.

“It occurs to me I know not your station nor title within your clan.”

As the serving girl listened to him, Kieran moved aside, not wishing to be overheard, and, thankfully, Maisie followed.

“I am the second son of the chief,” he said. “And simply Kieran, if it pleases you.”

“It pleases me,” she said.

“It pleases me to see you again this morn.” Quickly, as he likely should not have said that, Kieran added, “I trust you slept well, if not long. The sun has not yet risen.”

“As we spoke of last eve, the life of an innkeeper is not an idle one.”

“I can see that clearly.”

“Would you care to break your fast before you leave?” she asked.

He’d have thought the lady attempting to end their conversation if not for the subtle movements of her body.

Tucking her hair behind her ear. Shifting from one foot to the other.

Barely discernible movements, but ones Kieran noticed easily.

‘Tis what your opponents do, and not what they say, that matters.

His father. Or rather, the chief of Duncraig. Wise words, he’d often thought. Not that Maisie was his opponent. Or not precisely his opponent . . .

This was madness.

And yet, not.

Surely he could find an inn closer to his intended destination. But Kieran fully expected he’d not find the answers he sought too quickly. Though it could take days, likely ‘twould be much longer. The ride was not so long to Aberdale that he could not stay here.

“Aye,” he said, decided. “Though I will keep my key if the room is available still?”

He watched her eyes widen. Watched her lips part, ever so slightly. What a beautiful, enticing woman.

“You will stay another night?”

Did her tone sound hopeful? Kieran should not wish it so. “More, if you’ll have me.”

Her brows drew together as the hall began to slowly fill around them. Kieran nodded to an even more private corner of the well-kept hall, and Maisie followed.

“I’ve business in Aberdale that may take some days.”

“Surely there is an inn there at which you might stay. Not,” she added quickly, “that I do not have room at the Red Stag. But why ride from here if you need not do so?”

Why indeed?

“I enjoyed . . . staying here.” Kieran left it at that.

“Business,” she mused. “On MacKinlay land. An enemy to Duncraig, are they not?”

“You are well-informed, my lady.”

“I’ve lived in this region my whole life. There are none who haven’t heard of the Battle of Black Friars. I am sorry to have mentioned it,” she said immediately.

If his expression had changed, it was only because of the information he’d learned recently. To think, all his life, he thought MacKinlay was the enemy, only to learn the true enemy was the very family that took him in.

“It was many years ago,” he said, attempting to dismiss it. “But aye, the two clans are enemies. There has been some recent trouble that I plan to investigate.”

He planned to use the cattle incident as a reason for his presence on MacKinlay land.

“Trouble?”

“Aye. MacKinlay cattle were found grazing on Duncraig land. We attempted to discover the source, as the cattle could not have found their way so far from home without being led there—”

“Across Tannochbrae land, aye?”

“Aye,” he agreed. “We spoke with many and determined a man did, indeed, lead the cattle across Tannochbrae land to Duncraig’s border.”

“And left the cattle there?”

“Aye.”

“Someone wished to incite a renewed feud between the clans?”

“Aye,” he agreed. “Though we were unable to discern who. Or why.”

“So that is what you plan to learn.”

Among other things. “I do. My brother”—he used the term loosely—“and I met already with the MacKinlay clan chief. We found nothing, but I will take up the cause once again.”

“Alice,” Maisie called to one of the serving girls. “Will you see to them please,” she asked, indicating two newcomers. Older gentlemen, thankfully. Though it was early for any traveler not staying at the inn, and clearly these two were not, since they entered through the front door.

She does not need your protection. Maisie has been running this inn successfully without you. And yet . . . .

“I will leave you to your morning duties,” he said. “I ride to Aberdale.”

“Without breaking your fast?”

He’d planned to do so, but being with Maisie affected him more than it should. He wanted to remain. To learn what the two gentlemen were about. To ensure MacBrannigan did not return. But It was not his place.

“I will take a bit of bread with me,” he said. “If you have it.”

Maisie smiled. “Freshly baked. I’ve the finest baker in all of Scotland,” she said.

“Indeed?” He returned her smiled. “Here at the Red Stag?”

“Do not mock me, sir. Taste it first.”

“I will happily do so.”

Thankfully, she did not pick up the double meaning.

With that, Maisie turned from him. Caught by the serving girl, Alice, watching Maisie retreat toward the kitchens, he looked away. Or attempted to, at least, but was distracted by the sway of her hips and a backside that was only hinted at through the kirtle.

Nay, It was not a good idea to return here this eve, but he would do so anyway.