Chapter Ten #2
Alex smiled and gave a little shrug. “Ye’ve met yer share of nobility who would not deign to help a commoner. I thought I would test their instincts to gain insight into their hearts.”
“Well, they all passed yer test.”
“Indeed, they did.”
Mary grinned. “Then ye’ve no argument to make against Adam. He is the one. Alex, he is perfect.”
Alex sighed. “He may be the perfect man—but I wonder if the perfect man is right for me. Anyway,” she whispered, starting to move away, “Rory said he snores.” She hurried forward to escape Mary’s next attempt to champion Adam.
Then she winked at Rosie who was bobbing down the hall with her basket intact.
“Damnation,” Alex cursed under her breath before she smiled and rejoined the men.
She had half hoped that two of her three suitors would have stood by while Rosie struggled to gather her linens and get back on her feet, revealing their hearts lacked true compassion.
Whichever man then had stepped forward to help would have been the one, making the decision simple.
Her test, in the end, proved pointless, which she should have known.
Abbot Matthew would never have sent her men whose true goodness was in doubt.
“Will Rory not be joining us for Mass?” Timothy asked.
Alex smiled at Timothy. Of course he would be caring enough to notice their party was incomplete. But only she, Mary, and Rosie knew that Rory awaited her in the village so that they might carry out a secret mission for Scotland.
“Nay,” Alex answered. “Corc, a dear, old codger in the village, mentioned to Rory that his roof had sprung a leak, and Rory was kind enough to offer his assistance.”
Timothy smiled his approval. “We are closer to God when we help our brothers and sisters.”
“Ye’re very right,” Alex agreed, warmth flooding her heart.
Her eyes passed over his simple tunic. “In fact, ye could be just right for me.” She had not meant to speak those words aloud.
“To escort me to Mass,” she said quickly.
Timothy smiled and stepped forward, offering her his arm, which she gladly accepted.
Once in the small chapel, they all stood in a row facing the altar.
Adam seemed to follow the Mass with care to every detail.
What’s more, he sang beautifully. Robert appeared devout and heartfelt, but his voice croaked from his throat like a choking sparrow.
Mary looked at Alex, her eyes wide with horror.
Alex soundlessly scolded her, although inside she could not help but cringe.
On the walk back to the castle, she decided to take her cousin’s advice and spend time with Adam. By all accounts, he would make the best chieftain. But just as she started toward him, Robert intercepted her once again, offering her his arm.
“May I escort ye back to the keep?”
She glanced at Adam and could see his disappointment. Still, she had no choice but to weave her arm through Robert’s. “Of course,” she said. “Thank ye.”
Again, she was struck by Robert’s fine looks, finer even than Adam’s.
Rosie certainly had good reason to admire him.
His golden blond hair shone in the sun while his dark blue eyes held warmth and kindness.
When he smiled, his whole face lit up. Alex started to reconsider her earlier dismissal of Robert when they passed by the stables.
Straightaway, he began telling her about his visit that very morning with the stable master.
She tried to steer the conversation in different directions to see if he could inform broader topics—his family, the weather, planning for Lammas, but somehow, he always managed to bring it straight back to horses.
She glanced sidelong at Adam and Mary who were strolling together and laughing at some mutual jest. Then she looked back at Timothy who walked slowly behind them all, his hands clasped in prayer, clearly still conversing with the Holy Father.
For pity’s sake, everyone was having a more interesting conversation than she.
The short journey from the chapel across the courtyard and into the great hall felt like an eternity. Once inside, Alex continued to listen while Robert discussed proper horse grooming. But the moment his string of sentences broke, and he paused, she pounced.
“Forgive me, Robert, but I am due to meet the village midwife. She’s in need of supplies.
” Bidding farewell to her company, she dipped in a quick curtsy and hurried from the hall.
Once inside her chambers, the others were forgotten.
Rosie helped her out of her finery and into her threadbare tunic.
Alex sighed as the familiar, soft fabric fell in place.
“Ye just make certain yer clothes stay on this time,” Mary admonished as Alex lifted the trap door in her chamber floor and started down the stairs that would lead through a tunnel, which ran beneath the moat and ended on the other side of the outer wall.
“Ye ken he had to undress me last time,” Alex shot back over her shoulder.
“Ye ken ye liked it more than ye should have,” Rosie countered.
Alex opened her mouth to issue a sharp retort but then stopped herself. With a shrug, she started again down the stairs, unable to argue Rosie’s point. She had enjoyed Rory’s touch and certainly more than she should have, which is exactly why she had kissed him.
Once beyond the outer wall, she had to stop herself from running through the village as she made her way to Corc’s cottage.
Giving a light rap on the door, she opened it, immediately locking eyes with Rory.
In the same instant, her knees weakened.
Her heart started to pound. His sky-blue eyes shone as brightly as his smile, which was wide and heartfelt, the most beautiful smile.
Her chest tightened as she continued to stare at him. Saint’s above, but she wanted him.
He stood and brought his finger to his full lips to silence her greeting.
She noticed then that Corc was asleep on his pallet.
Soundlessly, Rory crossed the small room and gently took her arm, both turning to leave when a tickle grazed her neck.
A glint of silver on the ground caught her eye.
Her necklace had slipped off. She bent to retrieve it the same moment Rory did.
A sharp pain shot through her head when it collided with his.
She mouthed a silent curse to accompany his string of silent curses.
While she still rubbed her pained skull, he bent and picked up her necklace.
He found the break in the chain and pinched the metal to re-close the link.
“It broke recently,” she explained. “I thought I fixed it, but it still must be faulty.”
He stepped closer, facing her. “’Tis beautiful.”
His masculine scent teased her nose. She licked her lips as heat gathered in her core.
He stepped closer still. She strained to swallow while he threaded his fingers through her hair and swept it over one shoulder, exposing her neck.
A ripple of pleasure shot up her spine. Her fingers stiffened straight out, straining to touch him.
He leaned his head down, his cheek a breath from hers while he slowly slipped her necklace into place, his fingers grazing her skin.
Her breath caught as he leaned closer to see the clasp, his lips brushing her ear, his warm breath caressing her neck, filling her entire body with aching need.
“Oh God,” she gasped, pushing past him and charging out into fresh air.
She turned then and looked back at him. A knowing smile curved his sensual lips.
“Come on,” she bristled, trying to regain control. “We need a good ride.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Rory said, the heat in his eyes telling her exactly what kind of ride he meant.
She raked her hand through her hair. “Alba gu bràth,” she said, her voice laced with desperation. “Let’s remember why we’re here.”