Chapter Three #5
Still dressed in his training garb and fresh from the strenuous masculine activity of sparring, and winning, Kade looked rougher and more intimidating than ever.
The dramatic vitality of him drew—nay, commanded—my attention, as it had before, and I felt uneasy about this power he seemed to hold over me, as though his very presence controlled not only the direction of my eyes, but also the entirety of my thoughts.
His too-long hair was windblown and the sleeveless leather training vest he wore showed off the scarred and sculpted definition of his arms. Slung across his body with a mesh of straps, belts and holsters was his ever-present arsenal of weaponry, making him look all the more dramatic.
I was thankful I had not been speared by something on impact.
I had noticed an innate confidence in the Mackenzie men at the recent formal gatherings.
But now, dressed in his training gear, with the sun and air still radiating from the dirt-dusted set of his shoulders, it was easy to see that this was the more natural, native state of Kade Mackenzie than the clean white shirt and smart attire.
Here, clad in his leather trews, combat vest, tall boots and enough swords and knives to equip a small army, he looked wholly at ease, as though he’d not only had all his greatest successes in this outfit but also regularly slept in it.
The rugged vigor of him was practically a visible force.
The knowledge that I would be forced to marry him—unless I could indeed either escape or somehow talk my father out of the arrangement (either scenario I knew to be highly unlikely)—fed a squirmy, fluttery sensation into the low pit of my stomach.
My anxiety—and my fascination—was manifesting itself in unusual ways, it seemed.
Kade, too, seemed oddly ruffled. His breathing was uneven, his mouth opened slightly from the force of his exhalations.
But then I was reminded of Aleck, whose large palm reached for my bare arm.
Before his touch was even upon me, Kade’s knife was drawn and held decisively between us.
Aleck stopped all movement, and his stare in Kade’s direction promised death.
But Kade did not appear at all intimidated.
His own steady blue-tinted threat was as cold and volatile as I had ever seen it.
“There’s no need to manhandle the lady,” Kade said, fully regaining whatever composure he had temporarily misplaced.
“The lady is my charge and I’ll handle her however I see fit,” countered Aleck.
“You are within the confines of the Kinloch walls, soldier, and you will follow our rules. Women are not harmed, nor treated with disrespect. Keep your hands to yourself.”
Aleck eyed Kade, exhaling what might have been a chuckle of disbelief. Such a rule was not practiced, we both knew only too well, at Glenlochie.
In the wake of their recent duel, conflict sparked in the air.
“I fear I am lost,” I said to Kade, hoping to break their stalemate before violence broke out. “Could you be so kind as to show me the way to the guest chambers of my sisters? My guard here cannot remember the way.”
“I remember the way,” Aleck growled. “Follow me now, lass, and I’ll lead you.”
“Nay!” I said, perhaps too loudly. “I mean...what I mean to say is, we would be honored by your assistance. To make sure we know the way of it.”
“We don’t need—” Aleck began, but Kade interrupted him.
“I’ll escort you,” said Kade gruffly to my intense relief.
I knew he could read my predicament; what I didn’t know was if he would care.
Yet I supposed Kade’s irritation was somewhat warranted.
After all, I was his betrothed, almost. He would surely be aware of the proceedings by now, and the proposed change to the marriage plans: his, to me.
The sight of another brute manhandling me might have been enough to provoke any husband-to-be.
I had little doubt Kade would be manhandling me himself, and as soon as he got the opportunity.
But he appeared to be miffed by the thought of someone else encroaching on his potential territory.
And at that moment, I was almost glad of his outrage.
Aleck did not argue further. I wondered if it occurred to him that if and when my marriage to Kade Mackenzie took place, Kade would, in fact, become Aleck’s new laird-in-waiting.
He would take the role as first officer and outrank Aleck.
Aleck did not appear to be at all pleased by this possibility.
His face twisted into a loaded grimace, and he followed along, resentment radiating in waves from the wide set of his shoulders.
I could not help thinking this animosity did not bode well.
Kade Mackenzie led us to my chambers, where Aleck took up his post outside the door.
I murmured my thanks to Kade and hastily retreated into the safety of my sisters’ company, closing the door securely behind me.
And as I was welcomed into my sisters’ questioning circle, a detail of my earlier heated exchange with my father lingered with me.
I had taken only brief note of it at the time, but it echoed insistently now.
I looked at Maisie’s grief-stricken face and thought of my pleas to let her be the one to wed Kade, if Wilkie had refused her.
Her desperation has undermined her allure, my father had said.
He wants you.