Chapter 18
The warmth of Killian's lips lingered on hers like a forgotten melody as she begrudgingly separated from him. Her heart skipped as the world materialized before her eyes. Killian's grin stretched across his face as he brushed the back of his hand over her cheeks.
"Ye’re lookin' a wee bit pale there," Killian whispered as Leah slowly became aware of the villagers and the town square encompassing them. She swallowed hard as Killian's frantically beating heart pulsed against her hand. It was clear he was just as thrilled and bowled over as she was.
"Do ye want me to fetch ye a healer? I think Elsie would be more than happy to ken what caused ye to become so flushed," Killian teased as Leah glanced around, catching the curious glances of the villagers.
It was clear some were beyond amused by their laird's antics, others, however, flashed judgmental scowls.
But no matter how they looked at them, one thing was clear: every villager there had their eyes on Leah and Killian.
"What are ye doin'?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Killian stepped closer, his presence commanding and steady.
"I'm just tryin' to make this seem plausible," he replied, his tone low and earnest. His eyes, usually so fierce and unyielding, softened for just a moment to reveal the man beneath the warrior facade.
"But they'll talk," she protested, though a part of her was thrilled at the thought of being the center of attention, however scandalous it might be. "This isnae a game to them."
"I ken, let them go waggin' their tongues. It'll only help our cause in the end," he said, his gaze unwavering.
"I thought we were to wait for the ceilidh?" Leah asked as she realized the heat she felt wasn't coming from her but from Killian as he pressed his body to hers.
"Now who is being a prude?" Killian asked as he flashed a daring smirk at her. Leah arched her eyebrow and pursed her lips into a tight warring line. Killian's hearty chuckle broke her. "We need them to believe we're committed—to see us as a couple. It's the only way to draw out the foes."
Leah's heart wavered. She could feel the weight of the villagers' stares, their expectations, and societal norms pressing down on her.
Yet, as she stood there, faced with the reality of their situation, a flicker of longing ignited within her.
What if this wasn't just a ruse? What if, beneath the surface, there was something real growing between them?
She glanced up at Killian, searching his eyes for a spark of interest in her.
But what if I want it to be real?
"Well then, if we are to give them a show," Leah said, snagging Killian by the wrist and dragging him to the source of the music. "Then dance with me."
"Leah, this isnae amusin'," Killian said as he stumbled over his feet, trying to keep up with her. The music filled the area the moment they turned the corner. Leah, beaming with delight, turned to Killian.
"Are ye ready?"
"I'm nae dancin' with ye, sorry, lass."
"Oh yes ye are," Leah insisted.
He stumbled slightly at her unexpected vigor, a mix of surprise and protest clouding his features. "Leah, I'm nae—"
"Nae what? Nae a dancer? Ye daenae say, I never would have thought such a thin' with yer sort of reputation and all," she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Now who is bein' uptight and doesnae want to play along?"
With a hard tug, Leah pulled him into the heart of the celebration.
The moment they reached the dance floor, the band fell silent.
The collective hush fell over the crowd.
Leah couldn't help but notice the shock on everyone's faces.
She gave Killian a nudge with her elbow.
Killian cleared his throat and stepped forward.
"It's the mad laird," came the whispers of the unsuspecting villagers. It was clear they were not expecting the mad laird to be participating.
"What's he doin' here?" another hushed voice asked as Leah began to question her decision to stay at the fair. The tension mounted as Killian took a step forward.
"Daenae stop on me account. We came to hear music, so keep playin'," Killian said.
The crowd cheered, throwing up their goblets in a rowdy toast as the band started once again.
Soon, the air was thick with laughter and the sound of fiddles playing a lively tune.
The villagers swirled around them, lost in the rhythm of their joy, but Leah couldn't help but notice Killian remained stiff.
"Surely ye learned to dance at some point in yer life," Leah laughed, her voice ringing above the music as she twirled around him. Her skirt flared around her like fallen leaves dancing with the wind. Flashing him an inviting smile, Leah batted her eyes, waiting for him to join her in the revelry.
"Nae everyone had time for such things," Killian answered coldly. Leah noticed his brows furrowing as if he was being pulled into the past. Before she lost him to the memory, Leah stretched to the tips of her toes and planted a firm kiss on his nose. Killian blinked, stunned by the innocent act.
"I think I could use a drink," Leah said with an uneasy smirk.
"Aye, I think I could as well," Killian said. "Stay here, enjoy the music, I'll fetch us somethin' to wet our whistles."
Before she could respond, he pushed through the throng of villagers, determination in his stride as he made his way toward the thatched-roof tavern.
Leah watched him enter the establishment as a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
But as soon as Killian disappeared into the tavern, she felt the hair on the back of her neck rise.
Little tingles flowed over her body, causing her to shiver.
Glancing over her shoulder, Leah's eyes landed on a surely sort of man with a wiry mustache and beady eyes.
"Well now, arenae ye a sight to behold?" the man said, his gravely voice slurred from drink.
"Thank ye," she replied cautiously, her guard instinctively rising as she glanced to the tavern, hoping Killian would emerge. "I'm just enjoyin' the festivities like everyone else. But thank ye for stoppin' by. I'll be sure to let the laird ken ye missed him."
"Was that the laird? I never would have thought he'd be out here. Nae unless ye’re both liars, in which case, I could be the laird too if that's what ye wanted me to be," the man said as he trailed his fingers over her shoulder. Leah jumped at his touch as panic shot through her.
"Aye, that it was Laird MacMillan, and I suggest ye take a step back for yer sake. He's nae called the Mad Laird for nothin'."
"Me sake? Ha!" The man threw his head back as his laughter drifted over the music. "That'll be the day. The laird doesnae scare me. He's all smoke and nay flames. But trust me when I say, I could put a fire in yer belly the likes of which ye've never felt before."
Insulted, Leah reacted. Her hand flew through the air, crashing against the man's face with a resounding slap. Leah didn't pay any mind to the sting in her palm; her mind was locked on the stranger and his next move. The man's eyes narrowed as his lip curled into a snarl.
"Oh, there's a fire in yer gut I'm goin' to love to extinguish."
"Ye'll nae touch one hair on her head."
Leah gasped as she craned her neck to spy around the man. Killian towered over them, the anger in his eyes turning to rage. Turning back to the man, she waited for him to release her wrist.
"I didnae stutter," Killian hissed, his voice so low and steady that it caused an icy finger to trail up Leah's spine. She swallowed hard. "Now move."
Leah watched as the stranger's cocky smile faltered. For a moment, Leah could see the challenge burning in his eyes like a distant torch of a lighthouse on a stormy sea. But she felt the strength radiating from Killian, and it emboldened her.
"Best time to move along," she said, jerking her hand out of the man's grip.
"I daenae take orders from a woman," the man snapped.
"Then ye'll take it from me," Killian chimed in as he grabbed the man by the shoulder and spun him around so fast it made Leah's head dizzy. "Ye'll leave, now or yer friends will be pickin' ye up in a ditch outside of the village."
"That a threat?" the man said as if there was even a glimmer of hope he had a chance against Killian.
"If that's what it takes for ye to leave, then aye, it was a threat," Killian answered as his hand balled into a tight fist.
"Ye think because ye're the laird ye can—" the man started, but Killian's left hook finished it. The man stumbled back, his hand reaching for the place where Killian's knuckles made contact before his eyes rolled back, and he dropped.
"Killian," Leah scolded as she rushed to the man's aid. "Did ye have to hit him so hard?"
"Ye heard him with yer own ears. He wasnae goin' to back down. Problem solved."
"And ye wonder why people think of ye as the Mad Laird," Leah mumbled under her breath as she double-checked the man to ensure he was still alive.
"I daenae have to wonder," Killian said as Leah rose. She scanned the crowd. The music and soft murmurs had been silenced, and it was clear by the scowls on their faces that it was time to go.
"Let's go for a walk and see what else we can, what do ye say?
" Leah asked as she hooked her arm into his and pulled him from the small square.
As they disappeared around the corner, Leah let out a heavy sigh.
She glanced once more over her shoulder before turning her attention to Killian. "That was… uncomfortable."
"Are ye alright?" he asked, his voice softer now, concern etched across his features.
"Aye, that I am," she replied as Killian handed her one of the drinks he held. She didn't hesitate to take a gulp. The liquor burned as it went down and soothed her frantic nerves. "Thanks to ye."
"Do ye ken who that man was?" Killian asked. All Leah could do was shake her head as she let the liquor calm her further.
"Nay, he came up just as soon as ye left."
"Then he was waitin'," Killian growled as he flexed his hand into a fist once again.
"Or," Leah interjected, hoping to find some way to calm the tension. "He saw me standin' alone and thought he had a chance."
"Daenae try to find salvation in him," Killian said. "Ye'll nae find any."
"Is that what ye believe? That ye’re nae worthy of salvation?" Leah asked, her heart breaking just a bit from his revelation.
"I ken who I am and what I'm capable of doin'."
Leah's heart skipped a beat as she realized the implications of his words. Heat rushed to her cheeks as they continued their stroll. Killian's tension eased the further from the music they got. She glanced at the diamond-filled sky.
"Have ye ever seen anythin' so lovely?" she whispered with her gaze fixed on the full face of the moon.
"Aye, maybe a time or two," Killian answered, his voice heavy with want. She reached out, her hand brushing against his chest. He turned to her; his eyes burned with a fierce intensity she couldn't deny.
Without a word, he pulled her into a private nook between the baker's and the tailor's shops.
The air was thick with the scent of freshly baked bread and the soft hum of the music floating on the breeze.
Killian's lips brushed against her neck, sending shivers of pleasure down her spine as he began to kiss her passionately.
"Killian…" his name caught in her throat as his greedy fingers ensnared the hair at the nape of her neck.
"There ye are," a strangely familiar voice pricked Leah's ear as Killian was jerked away from her. "Remember me?"
"Nay, what are ye doin'? Killian!" Leah's hands flew to her mouth as she watched Killian's attacker throw another blow, landing directly on Killian's cheek.
"Let's see how ye handle me and me boys," the man said. Under the pale light of the moon, Leah realized their attacker was from the dance floor.
Killian rose, his eyes steely and his voice as smooth as silk. "Ye should have brought more men."