Lily (The Highland Clan Book 3) (15 page)

“Of course. I’ll do whatever pleases you. I would prefer not to have to guard you in the middle of the chaos that will take place around midnight, I would guess. I am yours to command, my lady.” He winked at her and she giggled.

As soon as the hall opened to serve the last meal of the day, Kyle and Lily headed down to the cavernous space with several guards trailing behind them. Two guards were off on other errands Kyle had assigned, but the rest had been ordered to make their way about the periphery of the hall, keeping watch for any unusual guests. Two would be posted just outside the entrance to the hall.

Kyle led Lily inside by the hand, all the while scanning the area for any possible threats. He was not worried by what he saw, for few other guests had arrived at that early hour.

“Kyle, you will sit and eat with me?”

“Lily, much as I would like to, I feel ‘tis more important for me to stand guard. I need to keep an eye on what is transpiring in the hall, and if I sit across from you, I will be distracted.”

Her face fell, so he searched the room for a possible solution. “Look,” he pointed to the center of the room. “There are three lasses about your age sitting together. I would rather you not be alone. They are in the center of the hall, near many of the king’s guards. Why not eat with them? I’ll take a trencher to eat in the passageway later.”

“I’d rather not. You can eat with me.”

He squeezed her hand and led her over to the table in the middle. “Nay, I cannot. What happened last night does not change the fact that I have been assigned by our lairds to guard you, and that is what I will do.”

“Promise not to leave my side?”

“I promise I will not leave you. I have five Ramsay guards in the hall watching over you and two just outside.”

“All right. I’ll sit if I must, but I do not wish to stay here for long.”

Kyle led her over to the trestle table, his eyes studying every man in the room, trying to become familiar with each of them should they prove a threat. Once they reached the table, he said, “My ladies, this is Lily of Ramsay. Would you mind if she joined your table? Her family has not yet returned from their journey, and she would rather not sup alone.”

“Aye, sit with us. I am Fenella, and this is Moira and Kenna. Your hair looks lovely pulled up, but it does not seem verra long.”

Lily sat down opposite Fenella, smoothing her skirts. “My aunt likes to fashion my hair in different ways.”

Kyle hoped they’d be kind. Lily had tied her hair up, hoping to hide the fact that she’d shorn it off, but lasses rarely missed such details. He moved to the end of the table and stood with his feet apart and his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Moira, the prettiest of the three, leaned toward Lily and said, “Who is he? Do you have your verra own personal guard?”

Lily glanced at him, so he gave her a slight nod to encourage her to say aye to the question. The more people who believed she was carefully guarded, the better.

“Aye. His name is Kyle and he shall guard me until my aunt and uncle return. There are other guards in the area.”

Moira giggled. “How lucky you are. Wait until you see all the handsome lads who are coming to the keep to celebrate this eve. They will all come later, but we’d all prefer to eat before they get here.”

“Do you come often?” Lily asked.

“Aye,” Fenella replied. “We come whenever we can. Kenna is seeking a husband, so we are here to help her.”

Moira leaned toward Kenna. “Why do you not ask Lily’s guard for a dance this eve? He’s quite handsome, though he’s a wee bit too big and he leaves his hair too long.” She giggled as she lifted her gaze to meet his.

Kyle ignored her, just as he would ignore any lass who tried to tell him his hair was too long.

Lily did
not
ignore her. “You may not have Kyle. He is taken.”

“By whom?” Fenella said.

Lily frowned, then said, “He is betrothed to a Ramsay lass, and she is quite pleased with his long hair.”

Kyle contained his smirk at Lily’s comment. Even more, he wished to stand behind her with his hands on her shoulders, staking his claim for all to see. What pleased him the most was how that one statement seemed to infuse a self-confidence in her, and her statement about his hair was a boon to his self-confidence.

So the wee lass found his hair pleasing. Why did he wish to announce
that
to the entire hall?

“Sounds like
you
are pleased with his long hair,” Fenella said. She waggled her eyebrows at Lily, but the moment was interrupted when the serving maids came along with trenchers of stew and bowls of minted peas and onions.

Kyle noticed the strange way Lily was staring at the food. Of course, she could not stomach grains, and would not be able to eat from a trencher. Kyle waved to one of the serving maids, who ran over to see what he needed. “My lady cannot eat from a trencher.”

The maid turned to Lily with a scowl, but then said meekly enough, “What can she have?”

“She needs her own bowl, not a trencher, and mayhap some carrots? Do you have any meat besides stew?”

“My, are you not special, Lily.” Kenna laughed and rolled her eyes. Kyle did not like the way her two friends looked at Lily either.

Two lads came along and joined them at the table. “And who is the new lassie?” one of them asked.

“This is Lily, Torquil. She needs special food.” Fenella tipped her head at Lily.

Just then, the head of the kitchen maids brought some food to Lily and said, “Here you are, my lady. Forgive me for forgetting your needs.” She bowed her head toward Lily and returned to the kitchens.

Torquil had a crooked grin on his face as he stared at Lily, an expression that Kyle was ready to knock off his face with one punch. “Well, we are graced with someone quite special, are we not, Fenella?”

Lily ignored them and began to eat her bowl of peas and carrots. Judging from the speed at which she was shoveling the food in her mouth, Kyle would guess she’d be standing and ready to leave in less than five minutes.

The other lad moved to stand behind Torquil, and he whistled as soon as his gaze settled on Lily. “Will you look at those green eyes, Torquil? Would you not like to see those in the dark?”

Kyle did not know how much more he could take. He reviewed his choices. He could punch them each once, which would probably take care of them, or draw his sword and skewer them. Either choice would make a mess. He decided the king would be upset if such violence should break out so early in the night. So he thought of a different tactic. Anything to get them away without forcing him to raise his fist in the middle of the royal great hall.

The hall was filling up, and more and more people were seating themselves around the tables near them. He did not wish to create a scene. Sweat broke out on his jaw. Finally he said, “Lily, are you ready?”

Torquil stood up. “Nay, she is not. Elliott and I’d like to keep her here.” He crossed his arms and faced Kyle with a defiant look on his face. The big lad carried more fat than he did muscle. Even so, Kyle did not wish to act without thinking of the consequences.

Kyle held out his hand. “Lily, let’s go.”

Lily stood up, the expression on her face telling him how upset she felt. Torquil’s friend blocked her path. His arm rubbed her back and he said, “Nay, I think I’ll have her, Torquil. We’ll allow her guard to watch.”

Kyle signaled to his guards, then shifted Lily behind him and lifted Elliot clear into the air. “You’ll not touch her again. Ever.”

“Put me down. I’ll kick your arse. Torquil, get your guards over here to take care of him.”

Kyle squeezed his hand around Elliott’s neck. “You’ll not kick my arse. You’ll be a dead man first. Do not touch Lily of Ramsay ever again.”

“Lily of Ramsay?” Elliott choked out.

“Aye. What of it? Her aunt and uncle will be here tomorrow, and I do not think you will wish to anger them by doing something foolish.” Kyle would use the one card he had that did not involve any bloodshed.

“Who are they? Which Ramsays?” Torquil’s face turned pale, and Elliott’s smirk slipped fully off his face.

“Mayhap you have heard of them. Logan and his wife Gwyneth?” Torquil began to back away before Kyle had even lowered Elliot to the floor.

“Torquil, get back here and help me,” the lad whined. “You promised to stay with me and fight. Are you going to desert a friend in need?”

Kenna whispered, “Is that not the lady who skewers ballocks with her bow?”

Elliott’s eyes threatened to pop out of his head at Kenna’s revelation. “And they will be here on the morrow?” he managed to choke out.

“Aye,” Kyle said, “and you just attempted to molest their favorite niece.”

“Nay, not me,” Torquil yelled as he started to run. “I’ll leave you be.”

“Put me down,” Elliot said, kicking his legs. “I’ll not bother her again.”

With that, Kyle flung the lad to the ground. Elliot stood up to run away, but not before he had the last word. “This is not over. I’ll make you pay,” he snarled.

Kyle led Lily outside, doing his best to calm her. He could hear the whispers flood the hall all around them, but he continued onward, hoping to get her back to her room before the tears started.

“Kyle, do you suppose he could be the one?”

“Which one?”

“Torquil, he was bigger. Or do you think my tormenter could be Elliott?”

“It could be either one of them, Lily, though I’m not sure if Torquil has the stamina to be so bold. Elliott, aye, it could be him.”

When they finally reached the top of the stairs, Kyle lowered his hand to the small of her back and guided her toward her chamber. “I’ll not let them torment you, Lily.” They arrived at her chamber. After checking for intruders, he returned to the door to leave. “You will be all right? There is something I must do, and in view of what just happened below stairs, I think it would be better if I were to protect you from the outside.”

“Kyle, you cannot be leaving me, are you?”

Kyle cleared his throat before he swallowed. “My apologies, Lily, but I think it would be best for me not to sleep in here tonight. I’ll be just beyond your door.”

Lily’s face fell so fast, it was as if he’d slapped her.

“Whatever you say.” Lily closed the door while he stood in front of it.

He sighed, but he couldn’t change his mind. What he had to do was something he had to keep secret from her, and this was the only way he could do it. She’d forgive him later when she understood.

Chapter Fourteen

To Lily’s surprise, her aunt and uncle returned the following day. They strode into the great hall through the front door with their daughters while Lily and Kyle were breaking their fast along with many others. Uncle Logan did not look happy, but Aunt Gwyneth ushered the girls over to their table and requested food for all four of them.

“Uncle, that was a short journey.”

“Aye, ‘twas too short. And I do not like the implications of it.”

“What do you mean?” Kyle asked, rubbing the thumb on his left hand.

Lily stared at Kyle’s hand, wondering how his thumb had become so swollen.

“The Buchans ignored the king’s request and refused us entry. They claimed it was only because my name is Ramsay, but I see it differently. They have something to hide, and King Alexander will not be pleased with my news.”

Gwyneth said, “Please eat something first, Logan. Say good morn to your niece. You can speak with the king later.”

Logan kissed Lily on the cheek and sat down. “Aye, just for you, I will.”

No longer able to restrain herself from asking the question that had leapt to her tongue, Lily reached over to Kyle’s hand. “What did you do to your thumb?”

Gwyneth cast a questioning look at him but said nothing.

“Lily, I explained I had chores to do. One of them gave me trouble.”

Logan snorted. “Looks to me like your thumb landed underneath the swing of a hammer.” Sorcha and Molly both laughed, but Lily just scowled, wondering why they knew something she did not. What could Kyle have possibly done last night to cause such an injury?

Kyle blushed and hid his thumb under his other arm. “My thumb is of no concern to any of you. ‘Tis fine.”

At that moment, an unknown lad entered the hall and headed straight for them. Lily frowned at the intruder, wondering why he was coming toward them. Kyle tugged Lily closer to him on the bench.

“Here he comes, Papa,” Molly whispered.

Logan spun his head around and said, “There you are, Cormag.”

“Aye,” the lad said as he sat in the open spot next to Logan. “I thought I would eat with you before I continue on my journey.

“Kyle, do you recall Cormag of Buchan?” Logan asked. “And this is my niece Lily. Cormag has left his clan, so he joined us on our journey back to Edinburgh.”

Cormag bowed to Lily. “Aye, I do recall Lily, and I believe I have seen Kyle before.”

“Why are you leaving your clan, Buchan?” Kyle asked, a confused expression on his face.

“Because my sister Davina is daft and my sire listens only to her. I’ll not stay there. They are headed for trouble, and I do not wish to call the king’s army down on my neck. I have several cousins around, and I may join one of their clans. Once I finish breaking my fast, I’ll be on my way.”

Lily scooted a little closer to Kyle, but did not say a word. Between the two lads last eve and this lad, she was uncomfortable and ready to head home.

They were served bread and cheese, and they all ate in silence until the end of the meal. Cormag finished quickly and got up to leave.

“My lord, I thank you for your hospitality and for allowing me to join you. I’ll take my leave. Fine journey to you.” Cormag bowed and pivoted toward the door.

“Not sure about that lad, but we must continue.”

Logan shrugged and turned to look at Lily. “You look happier today, niece. Is there aught you need to tell me?” Her uncle’s gaze narrowed a little as it traveled from her face to Kyle’s. If he suspected something, so be it. She had no guilt. She and the man she loved had done naught wrong. They were betrothed and in love.

But she had promised to allow Kyle to speak with her uncle and sire about their betrothal before she announced it to the world. Smiling, she said, “Of course not, Uncle. Kyle and I had a lovely time while you were gone.”

“I hope ‘twas not too lovely. Must I speak with Kyle?” He glared at Kyle, waiting for his response.

Kyle cleared his throat. “We met two unsavory characters last night, either of them are capable of being Lily’s attacker.” Lily almost giggled at the way he deflected Uncle Logan’s attention like an expert.

“Tell us more.” Gwyneth perked up, leaning toward Kyle.

“The king asked us to eat in the great hall last night because he welcomed the burgh’s people once a sennight. We decided to eat early to avoid most of the crowd, and Lily sat with three local lasses. ‘Twas not long before two lads joined us, each with their sights on Lily.”

Logan’s face lit up. “How much blood did you spill this time, Maule?”

“I did not shed any, but the two were not at our side for long.”

Aunt Gwyneth whispered, “Lily, did you recognize aught about them?”

Lily shook her head. “Nay, I did not, but ‘tis still possible, do you not agree?”

Logan said, “Absolutely. What did you notice about them, Maule?”

“Their first stop once inside the hall was Lily’s table, and they both had brown hair.”

“And their names?”

“Elliott and Torquil. I know naught more, but ‘tis enough information to find out more if need be.”

“If ‘tis all you know, then I’d like to return to the other topic. Do we think the Buchans are planning to attack the Ramsay castle again?” Gwyneth asked. She waved to one of the maids to bring ale to them as they waited for porridge. “Do we need to rush home to head them off, advise your brother?”

“Nay, I do not think they are planning to attack us, but they are for certes planning something.” Logan tore off a piece of brown bread that had been set in front of them and motioned to Kyle. “Maule, I’ll see you outside for a moment.”

Once they left, Lily whispered, “Aunt Gwyneth, what happened on your trip? Uncle did not look at all pleased.”

Molly said, “I talked to some of the stable lads while Da argued with the men.” Then she giggled. “Lads are such fools. They never suspect that a lass might have a mind of her own. They’ll answer my questions, but they’d go mute if Papa tried to ask them the same things.”

Gwyneth glanced at her eldest daughter. “Aye, well, the two of you together—” she tipped her head to Sorcha, “—are what unsettles them. I’ve seen Sorcha tease men to take them off their guard while you find the one who will give you all the information.”

“So what did you learn, Molly?” Lily asked.

Molly shook her head. “I was surprised to hear that they all expect the Buchans to go on attack, though they expect way into the Highlands first, which is why Da says he’ll warn the Grants. ‘Tis all I found out, just that they are ready to battle and be the aggressors. I believe Cormag when he said he does not wish to be part of it.”

Sorcha giggled. “She is amusing to watch, Mama. She’s adept at using trickery on lads.”

“Just be careful, you two. Someday, you’ll not have me and your sire there to protect you and you’ll get yourselves into trouble.”

Logan and Kyle returned by the time all the lasses had finished eating, but Lily had no inkling as to what they’d discussed. She’d hoped Kyle had asked about the betrothal, but she thought there was more to it.

“I’m off to see King Alexander,” Logan said, “and when I return, I’ll escort you outside for the show. We’ll be leaving for home by midday.”

Lily sat up and asked, “What show, Uncle? I’d love to watch a show.”

“Kyle will explain while we’re gone. Gwynie, I’d like you and the girls to meet the king with me.”

As soon as they were alone together, Lily stared up at Kyle. “Did you ask my uncle?”

Kyle smiled as he took her hand in his. “Aye, I did. He thought your sire would agree to the marriage once we returned.”

“But can we not marry before we leave?” She had no desire to wait. After the things they’d shared, she wanted him with her every night.

“Nay. And you must understand that I need to receive your sire’s blessing before we move forward. Do you not wish to have him attend our wedding? I’d like my mother to be there. And what about Lady Brenna, Torrian, and Heather? Do you not want to celebrate with them?”

Lily thought for a moment, then said, “Aye, I would like them to be at our wedding. We’ll marry within a sennight upon our return.”

“Lily, these things take time. I doubt your parents will be able to prepare for a wedding that quickly. There’s no rush, is there? I’ll have things I need to tend to with Torrian, as well. I do not see it happening in less than six moons.”

“Six moons? Kyle, ‘tis a long way from now.” Lily’s heart was pulled in two directions. Aye, she wanted to celebrate their marriage with their families, but why must they wait?

He chucked her under her chin. “Do not look so defeated. The time shall pass quickly. Come with me. I have a gift for you.”

“A gift for me?” Lily hopped off the bench, grabbing the hand Kyle held out for her. She was so excited to hear that Kyle had purchased a gift for her. How she loved opening presents. She’d started making her own packages quite decorative with ribbons instead of using twine and plain packaging, so she was especially fond of brightly wrapped gifts. “Where is my gift, Kyle?” She hurried to keep up with his long strides as he led the way out of the great hall and guided her toward the stables.

He retrieved a wrapped parcel hidden in one of the stalls, nodded to the man in charge, and then guided Lily to an isolated bench. He stood guard while she sat down. “Here. This is for you.” He rubbed his swollen thumb.

Lily took the large wrapped gift from him and tugged on the twine to open it. As soon as the wrapping fell away, she gasped. She set the parcel down beside her and jumped up to throw her arms around Kyle’s neck. “Kyle, I love it. ‘Tis the most beautiful braid I have ever seen. Sunsh…Tilly will love it.”

“Lily, ‘tis not for your horse, ‘tis for you.”

She sat down and ran her fingers over the rainbow of colorful ribbons, intertwined and woven into a most beautiful display. It was intricate work, and it must have taken someone hours to make.

He pulled on the piece of wood that held all the ribbons, tugging it away so Lily could see the design he’d made. “See, you can unfold it.”

Lily could not believe her eyes. “Did you make this, Kyle? Or did you find it at the fair?”

Logan came along behind them with Gwyneth and the two lasses along with him. He moved over to glance over Lily’s shoulder, then whispered to her, “He made it himself. I can vouch for him since I purchased the ribbons before we left for Buchan land. He informed me of his sound plan. Can you not see how he hammered the ribbons to the top of the wood so you can hold it above your head?”

Lily, stunned, unfolded the rest of the braids with Kyle’s help, her heart blooming a little more every moment.

“Hold it up,” Kyle instructed.

She extended her arm over her head. Oh, how majestic it felt! The ribbons flowed out long behind her, catching on the wind and flying high into the air, much more so than the small one she had made back at her home. The braids fell in waves, and loose ribbons billowed freely at the base of his creation.

“Lily, ‘tis quite beautiful,” Molly said.

Kyle cleared his throat. “If you’d like, I’ve arranged for the guards to follow us to a meadow nearby. I sent a couple of them in search of the perfect venue for you last night. You can try it out, see if you can run with it as you did back on Ramsay land.”

“Oh, Kyle,” she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him lightly on the lips. “I love it. ‘Tis a wondrous gift.” She held it up again, waving it in the breeze to see the colors in the sunlight. “May we go to the meadow today?”

“Lily, ‘tis the nicest gift ever, especially if he made it for you,” Molly said.

Lily, suddenly recalling her family surrounded her, blushed a deep shade of red at her brazenness. “I will treasure it forever.”

Aunt Gwyneth added, “I like it because ‘tis a thoughtful gift that speaks to your personality.”

“Aye, ‘tis perfect time to go now,” Logan said. “We would all like to watch you run with the ribbons, Lily. We have a bit of time before we ride back to our keep. But instead of kissing Kyle on the lips, mayhap you might like to kiss the thumb he hit with a hammer trying to make that for you.” He gave Kyle a lop-sided grin. “We’ll see you in the stables.”

With that, Logan headed toward the stables and his family followed. All Lily could do was stare at Kyle. She reached for his hand and kissed his thumb gently. “You did this for me? Truly, Kyle?”

He blushed and said, “I felt terrible for ruining your fun in the meadow. Gwyneth and Logan both told me it was wrong of me, and now I understand. Would you like to go to the meadow to see if this will wave in the wind behind you as the other did?”

She skipped ahead of him, grabbing his hand to tug him toward the stables. “I would love to.”

When they arrived at the meadow not long after, Lily tried to leap down immediately, but Kyle held her in front of him for a few moments. “What do you think, love?”

She scanned the area, taking in the autumn colors in the trees and the smell of the surrounding pines. There were a few others walking in the area, enjoying the day. Leaning back against him, she tugged his arm around her waist. “I cannot believe you would do this for me.” She squeezed his hand, then kissed his swollen thumb. “Kyle,” she pleaded, “I am so excited to try this. There’s a lovely breeze today.”