Lily (The Highland Clan Book 3) (2 page)

“Why are you making that funny sound, Kyle?” She peered at him with a strange expression.

Blast! She’d heard it. “What sound?” he asked, trying to look puzzled.

“You sounded like a wild bear just now. Are you angry with me?”

She batted her eyelashes at him, and he narrowed his gaze at her, hoping it would be enough for her to drop the subject.

“Why do you glare so, Kyle? Do you not like me any longer? Are you like the others?”

He growled in frustration. “Lily, you speak nonsense. Everyone loves you and you are fully aware of it. What is this game you play?”

“I do not know of what you speak.” Her chin lifted and her lower lip protruded.

And if she moved in any closer to him, he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from nibbling that lower lip. He closed his eyes to block out the sweet temptation, but then decided that wasn’t such a good idea since they were on horseback. As soon as she started to wiggle, his eyes flew open again.

“What is it now, lass?” His eyes widened. Would her endless taunting never cease? Did she not understand what she did to him?

Her lower lip trembled. “You are mad at me. You are always angry with me, shouting at me. No one ever shouts at me the way you do.”

“Of course I shout at you,” he bellowed. “Who is the one charged with your safety? You always disregard everyone’s advice and do as you wish. Someone must keep watch over you.”

She stuck her lower lip out a bit more. “My father
used to
watch over me.”

“He has a bad knee! He can barely walk on good days.”

“My brother
used to
watch over me.”

If she whined any louder, his ears would hurt. “He’s the new chieftain, and if you have not noticed, he has a new wife and daughter.”

Frowning at him, she turned in the saddle, pushing against him until she was able to maneuver herself so she sat facing forward.

“What the hell?” he shouted.

She wiggled her bottom against him, torturing him. He tried to grab her hips to keep from throwing the horse off, but she slapped at his hand. “If you must know, I
have
noticed my brother’s situation. Take me home, Kyle Maule. And do not think of taking advantage of me.”

She crossed her arms in front of her and pushed away from him, her back as stiff as his cock at the moment. He ran his hand down his face in frustration. Then she lost her balance, her arms flailing as she fell back against him with an “oof,” and he said a quick prayer to the Lord for patience.

The lass he loved would be the death of him yet.

Chapter Two

Lily strolled through the bailey mid-morning the following day. It annoyed her to think about how her rescue from the armored man had ended. Kyle had dismounted at the stables and attempted to help her down, but she’d shove his hands aside and jumped off on her own. Her luck being what it was, her legs had buckled the moment they hit the ground and she’d fallen against him anyway.

The problem was that while Lily had told him not to touch her, she desperately wanted him to do so. Kyle Maule was the only lad who interested her, but the feeling was clearly not mutual. He’d gone out of his way to avoid her ever since the kiss they’d shared during Torrian’s chieftain ceremony. Well, she was on her way out to the lists to speak to him again. Perhaps he had recalled something about the man who had chased her. Aye, that was it exactly. She needed a sound reason to go visit him so he wouldn’t guess the true reason. The true reason was simple.

She missed him, and after being so unsettled yesterday, she needed some kind words from him, especially since Sunshine had not turned up yet. She was so lost without her horse, she could not spend the day without Kyle either.

Yesterday had not helped his feelings for her. She noticed he’d kept his distance from her after they’d returned to the keep. Did he not ever do anything to relax, to enjoy each special day? Now he only came after her to yell at her. And yell he had. She flipped her skirts from side to side as she strode through the courtyard, annoyed by the mere thought of how he’d chastised her. It was not her fault some fool had decided to chase her out in the meadow.

“Good morn to you, sweet Lily,” the armorer said. “Glad to see you safe.”

“Many thanks to you, Fergus.” She smiled and gave him a slight bow. He was a sweet, hard-working man.

She came upon three lads heading out to the lists. Their names escaped her at the moment, but she halted to greet them.

“My lady, you are lovely today.” The first lad walked into the second lad because he was not watching his path.

The second lad shoved at him. “Lady Lily, you are the prettiest of all the lasses in the land of the Scots.”

The third one beamed at her. “Nay, you’re the most beautiful in all of England.” He stared at her as she strolled by them, smiling at each in passing. She appreciated how hard they worked in the lists for her brother and her sire.

“You lads are too kind to say such sweet things about me. Thank you for working so hard to protect our clan.” She blushed and continued past them, noticing that the third lad was not following his mates. It was as if someone had nailed his feet to the spot.

His friend ran back and slugged him in the shoulder. “Come along, lad. Kyle will make us
all
stay longer if you dally. My pardon, Lady Lily, but we must move on.”

She continued on past the buildings in the bailey, hoping to catch a quick view of Kyle, but she guessed he was already in the lists working with the men. She liked to walk past the lists on warm days, when all of the men had their shirts off. Kyle had the nicest chest of all. Strong and muscular, just the right amount of chest hair, which, of course, was as dark as the thick hair on his head. She wondered what her golden hair would look like splayed across his—

“Why, my lady, ‘tis nice to see you safely back on our lands.”

She jerked her head around to the carpenter who had spoken to her. “And ‘tis nice to be back amongst my fine clanmates.” She gave him her widest smile, hoping it would hide the blush that had spread across her cheeks at being interrupted in the middle of her carnal thoughts about Kyle.

One of the lads chased after her when she passed the stables. “My lady, where are you headed?”

“I thought I’d go to the lists to visit my brother. I’m quite sure Gregor is in the field with Kyle. Which field are they in?”

The lad’s face lit up. “Why, they’re just outside the castle wall today. Shall I escort you?”

She turned and curtsied to the young boy. “Why thank you, Eian. I’m sure I can find my way on my own.”

After pausing to wave at the guards, she continued on her way.

“Get out of my way, I cannot see,” one of them yelled to another.

A second replied, “Hellfire, nay. I want to see.”

“You always get to watch her. ‘Tis my turn. Now move. She likes me better.”

The sound of flesh hitting flesh reached her, causing her to scowl, something she rarely did outside the privacy of her own chamber. Well, that was no longer a true statement. She did scowl around Kyle frequently, but it was all his fault.

She continued on her way, not interested in taking the time to determine what the lads at the gate were arguing about. They must have a crush on the same lass was her best guess. Who could it be? As she began to run through the possibilities, her heartbeat sped up suddenly and she slowed her steps.

Kyle. There he was at the end of the line of warriors practicing their maneuvers. His shirt was off again, just as she’d hoped. She sighed, not caring who heard her, and headed down the line of men to speak to him. She passed her brother along the way, giving him a quick wave of her hand. “Good morn to you, Gregor.”

Gregor nodded but continued on with his training.

Oblivious to the others around her except the occasional shouts of “Ow!” or “Watch out!” or “Look where you’re going,” she continued onward until she reached her destination. Once there, she folded her hands in front of her and smiled. “Good morn to you, Kyle. Might I have a word?”

Kyle yanked his helm off and glowered at her. “Lily, why must you come all the way out here? Look at what you do to my men!”

She frowned again, though this time it was true to nature: Kyle had spoken to her. She forced the scowl away. “Whatever do you mean, Kyle? I have not said one word to any of your men. I try my verra best not to interfere with your training of the guards.”

He rolled his eyes. “You do not have to speak to them to upset their concentration. Look at them.” He waved his hand behind her.

She tried her best to listen to him, but she could not concentrate while standing this close to Kyle’s bare chest. She licked her lips without thinking as she stared at his bare flesh—the light shining off a trickle of sweat trailing off his breastbone. She glanced up at him, and for some unknown reason she found herself enjoying the fact that she had to look up at him to meet his eyes. She squelched a sigh at how broad his shoulders were, especially when he clenched his arms so his muscles rippled in response. Aye, she enjoyed the manly display in front of her. How was she supposed to be able to think proper when he was this close to her? The hair on his head was a dark, disheveled mess, yet she’d never seen him so enticing before.

After much effort, she managed to tear her gaze away and glance over her shoulder at the line of lads she’d just passed. They were all staring at her with weak grins and distant looks.

“Do you not see what I mean?” Kyle asked, his voice was now a whisper that sent shivers down her spine.

She perused the group of them again. “Aye, but whatever are they staring at?”

“What are they looking at?” Kyle huffed the words out in apparent exasperation as he dropped his sword to the ground. “Surely, you cannot mean that. You, they’re all looking at
you
.” His voice had grown to a shout.

“Why are they looking at me?” she whispered, rubbing the base of her chin.

“Arghhhh…Lily! Can you not see that half of them are now bleeding because of you? Your presence distracts them. Go away, lass!”

Her lower lip trembled as she swung back to face him. “There you go, yelling at me again, Kyle Maule. Fiddle on you. I’ll not tell you why I came out here, though I felt I needed to thank you for saving me.”

“You thanked me yesterday, Lily. Now hasten your leave, please.”

Lily scowled at him again, pursing her lips in a distinct pout. Hellfire, why did he make her scowl so? She hardly ever scowled unless he was nearby, she swore. “Mayhap I did tell you yesterday, but I have been so busy that it completely escaped my mind. I was just trying to do the proper thing. Foolish me for trying to be nice.” Her hands settled on her hips and she leaned toward him, wishing she could throttle him in front of his men.

“Busy? And what is it that has kept you so busy?”

He did his best to hide his grin, but she caught it and vowed he’d regret it. “Do not dare make fun of me. I have plenty to do.” She pointed her finger at his chest, wishing she would slip and land once more against that expansive piece of flesh, then lifted her chin and spun on her heel. “I’ll not stay here for any more of your insults, Kyle.” She flounced her skirts about her and left, but not before taking the time to smile at all the guards on her way past them. Had he spoken the truth? She did notice a few fresh injuries as she meandered past the men.

But why would they stare at her?

Kyle yelled at her retreating back. “Why do you not go help Lady Brenna? She’s going to need to tend to these injuries, and they’re mostly your fault.”

She swiveled about, flashing a smile at the guards who were still staring at her, and bent over to pick up a handful of dirt. Then she flung it at Kyle, and he ducked, chuckling at her.

She stalked off as best she could, her boots falling into small holes as she walked, her eyes misting because everything Kyle had said was true. She had naught to do.

Naught.

***

Hellfire, but he’d almost cut his own hand off at the sight of the wee nymph strolling down the line of his warriors, just a heartbeat away from a stray sword. He watched her sweet backside as she stormed off, her foot catching in the ground. It took every bit of restraint he had not to chase after her, scoop her up in his arms, and take her to the stables where a fresh mound of straw was sure to be found somewhere.

He closed his eyes in the hopes it would block out the traitorous thoughts. If he did not get her off his mind, he’d lose this position he’d worked so hard to achieve. He barked to his men, “Get back to your training unless you have an injury that requires tending.”

Three lads ran forward. “I’ll escort Lady Lily back, then I’ll stop to see what Lady Brenna says about the wound on my arm…”

Another elbowed him. “Hell, nay! I’ll escort Lady Lily back. She needs a man, not a wee laddie like you.”

Kyle tossed his head back and bellowed, “None of you will be escorting Lady Lily anywhere! Get back to your positions. And those who allowed themselves to be distracted by her pretty face will have to parry with me before leaving the fields.”

He heard plenty of grumbling, and saw more than one surprised look. Aye, he knew it appeared he was staking a claim for Lady Lily, but how foolish could they be? She was a Ramsay chieftain’s daughter. He’d never measure up to their standards. He was only the son of a guard. She could do much better than Kyle Maule.

Still, he could not allow them to get away with staring at Lily so. He’d trounce each one of them for daring to look at the sweet lass as if she were no better than a harlot.

Kyle groaned and ran his hand down his face, wiping up the sweat dripping down his brow and his cheeks. Truthfully, he could not blame them. They were no different from any of the other lads in the clan. They all wanted Lady Lily, and fortunately for his sanity, she favored none of them. But soon he feared she’d be betrothed. Torrian had mentioned it was time.

He’d go mad to see her betrothed to another.

He had to go after her, if only to tell her the happy news he’d forgotten the moment he saw her. “Gregor, you’re in charge for a few moments,” he yelled over to Torrian’s brother. “I shall return soon.”

Sheathing his sword, he hurried his steps and followed Lily back through the gates and toward the keep. She stopped to speak to everyone she met along the way, smiling and talking sweetly with them before walking onward with a bounce in her step—the very behavior that had made her the heart and soul of the Ramsay clan. But while she was beloved by all, she had no idea of her own value.

Now that Torrian was married and duties had shifted, Lily thought she had naught to do. How could she believe such a thing? Every member of the clan thrived on her presence. They delighted in her sweet smiles, her kind and genuine heart, and her thoughtful conversation.

Indeed, Lily was such a big part of Ramsay life that he knew he did not stand a chance with her. He could never measure up. Plus, he needed to concentrate on being the best possible second to the Ramsay chieftain, not drooling over the chieftain’s sweet sister. He could practically hear his father telling him so over his shoulder.

As if she sensed he was behind her, Lily spun around and stared straight into his gaze. Her eyes were as green as the forest, which never failed to enchant him. “What is it, Kyle? Are you hurt?” Her hand clasped to her chest.

Hellfire, but he’d love that hand to be on his chest. Forcing himself to concentrate, he answered, “Nay, but I forgot to tell you that we found your horse outside the gates this morn.”

Her eyes sparkled, and she clapped her hands, racing toward him. “You did? Truly? My Sunshine? Where is she? I must go to her.”

“I’ll take you.” Kyle held his hand out to her and she placed hers in it. It seemed an intimacy to have her wee hand in his, and he treasured it. He didn’t tell her how he’d sent dozens of his men out in search of her beloved horse yesterday, or how he’d combed the area himself late into the night after everyone else had retired to their pallets.
He
was the one who’d found Sunshine lying in the grass exhausted. After talking sweet to her and feeding her an apple, he’d managed to coax her back.