Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Sophie picked at her dinner, pushing the roasted vegetables around her plate without much appetite. The great hall felt emptier somehow these days, with Kenneth taking most of his meals in his study. She'd grown used to his absence, though her heart still ached each time she saw his empty chair.
"I hope ye're nae planning to rearrange those carrots all evenin'," Arabella teased from across the table. "Though I must say, ye've given them quite the artistic arrangement."
Sophie managed a small smile. "I suppose I'm nae very hungry tonight."
The great hall's doors swung open, cutting off whatever Arabella had been about to say. Sophie's head snapped up, her heart skipping a beat as Kenneth strode in. He looked tired but determined, his jaw set in that way she'd come to recognize meant he'd made some important decision.
"Ken!" Arabella exclaimed. "Have ye finally tired of molderin' away in that study of yers?"
Kenneth shot his sister a warning look as he took his seat at the head of the table. His eyes met Sophie's briefly, and she felt heat rise to her cheeks as she remembered their interrupted moment in the study.
"I thought it time I joined me family for dinner," he said, his voice gruff but not unkind. The word 'family' sent a warm flutter through Sophie's chest.
As servants rushed to bring Kenneth's meal, Sophie found herself studying him from beneath her lashes.
He seemed different somehow – less rigid, though still clearly carrying the weight of his responsibilities.
When he caught her looking, instead of his usual scowl, his expression softened almost imperceptibly.
"How are the preparations for the Highland Assembly comin' along?" Colette asked, breaking the charged silence that had fallen over the table.
Kenneth took a sip of wine before answering. "Well enough. I've been arranging a hunting expedition to impress Laird MacDean. His support could open new trade routes for the clan."
"A hunt?" Sophie couldn't help but ask, her interest piqued. "What manner of game will ye be pursuin'?"
Kenneth's eyebrows rose slightly at her question. "Mainly grouse, perhaps some deer if we're fortunate. Do ye have an interest in huntin', Lady Sophie?"
Sophie felt a smile tugging at her lips as memories of her youth surfaced. "Ye could say that. Though me experience was perhaps nae quite... conventional."
"Oh?" Kenneth leaned forward slightly, his food forgotten. "Do tell."
Sophie glanced around the table, finding everyone's attention on her.
Taking a deep breath, she began her tale.
"When I was sixteen, me faither organized a grand hunt.
All the important men of the clan were invited, but of course, I wasnae allowed to participate.
" She paused, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"So, I borrowed some of Mason's old clothes, tucked me hair under a cap, and snuck out to join them. "
"Ye dinnae!" Arabella gasped, delighted.
"I did," Sophie confirmed, warming to her story. "I kept to the back of the group, trying nae to draw attention. But then I spotted a magnificent stag that none of the others had noticed. I couldnae help meself – I grabbed a bow from one of the servants and took aim."
"Did ye make the shot?" Kenneth asked, seeming genuinely invested in her tale.
Sophie's smile faltered slightly. "Nay. The arrow went wide – I'd never had any proper trainin', ye see. But the commotion drew everyone's attention, including me faither's."
"What did he do?" Arabella asked softly.
"He waited until we returned to the keep before confrontin' me," Sophie said, her voice growing wistful.
"I expected him to be furious, but instead, he laughed.
Said I had more spirit than half his men.
He promised to teach me proper archery himself, said there was nay reason a lass shouldnae learn to defend herself and put food on her table. "
Sophie felt tears pricking at her eyes and blinked them back. "But he died before he could keep that promise. And Mason..." She trailed off, the old hurt rising in her chest. "Well, Mason had other ideas about what was proper for a lady."
"Yer brother's a skilled archer, is he nae?" Kenneth asked, his voice carefully neutral.
Sophie nodded. "One of the best in the clan. I used to watch him practice for hours, hoping he might offer to teach me. But he said it wasnae fittin' for his sister to engage in such masculine pursuits." She tried to keep the bitterness from her voice, but some must have slipped through.
Kenneth was quiet for a moment, studying her with an intensity that made her breath catch. "Yer faither was right," he said finally. "There's nay reason a lass shouldnae learn to protect herself and provide for her people."
Sophie's heart leaped. "Do ye really think so?"
"Aye," Kenneth nodded. "In fact..." He paused, seeming to wrestle with himself for a moment. "If ye'd like, I could teach ye. The basics of archery, at least."
"Truly?" Sophie couldn't keep the excitement from her voice. "Ye'd do that?"
"We could start tomorrow, if ye wish," Kenneth offered, and Sophie could have sworn she saw the ghost of a smile playing at his lips. "Though I warn ye, I'm a demandin' teacher."
"I'm a quick study," Sophie countered, feeling bold. "And I've waited years for this opportunity. I willnae waste it."
Something flickered in Kenneth's eyes – approval, perhaps, or admiration. "Very well. We'll begin after breakin' our fast tomorrow. Wear something ye can move in easily."
The rest of dinner passed in a blur of conversation and planning. Sophie barely tasted her food, her mind already on the morning to come. She caught Arabella giving her knowing looks, but she couldn't bring herself to care.
As the meal drew to a close, Kenneth rose from his seat. "I'll have Lachlan prepare the practice yard for tomorrow," he said, his eyes meeting Sophie's. "Get some rest, lass. Ye'll need yer strength."
"Thank ye, Kenneth," Sophie said softly. "For giving me this chance."
He nodded once, his expression softening almost imperceptibly. "Goodnight, Sophie."
As she watched him leave, Sophie felt hope blooming in her chest. Perhaps there was more to Kenneth Elloway than the stern, duty-bound laird he presented to the world. Perhaps, just perhaps, he was beginning to see her as more than just a political alliance.
"Well, well," Arabella's voice broke through her thoughts. "I havenae seen me brother volunteer to spend time with anyone in... well, ever."
"He's just being kind," Sophie protested, though her heart fluttered at the implication.
"Kind?" Arabella scoffed. "Ken doesnae do anythin' out of mere kindness. Trust me, sister dear, there's more to this than simple archery lessons."
Sophie tried to suppress her smile but failed miserably. As she made her way to her chambers that night, her mind was filled with thoughts of the morning to come. Not just the archery lessons, though she was certainly excited about those, but the chance to spend time with Kenneth.
Sleep was long in coming that night, but Sophie didn't mind. She lay awake, watching the moonlight paint patterns on her ceiling, and allowed herself to hope that maybe, just maybe, Kenneth was finally beginning to let his walls down.
Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.