Page 48 of The Mad Highlander
“Thank ye, Sister,” Cayden said. “If it was goin’ to be a surprise where we were goin’, it’s certainly nae a surprise anymore.”
“Oh.” Robyn placed a hand over her mouth and spoke through her fingers. “Is that where…?”
“Aye, it’s where I’m takin’ her,” the Laird growled. “And it’s nae a complete surprise, but it might have been nice nae to have all of this build-up afore we go out there. It’s only a walk and a picnic.”
Even with the Laird stating it, Iris felt her heart quicken at being taken on a picnic with Cayden.
“Ye should have the cooks put some of that cheese ye like in the picnic basket, and they just cured some meat? Are ye takin’ some wine?” Robyn asked.
“I ken how to pack a picnic basket,” the Laird growled. “I’ve asked them to pack all of that already. Och, I came in here to talk to Iris, and now, I’m havin’ a whole conversation with ye instead.” The Laird turned to Iris, his dark blue eyes piercing her soul. “Would ye like to go on a walk with me and have some lunch?”
“Aye, I would like that a lot,” Iris agreed.
20
The thought of war was long gone from Iris’ mind. All she could think about as she walked slightly behind Cayden was how thick his forearm looked as he carried the large picnic basket. He had rolled up his shirt sleeves, and his muscles tightened as he took the weight of the basket.
They were alone, heading toward a secluded spot, and she could only think about his large arms lifting her into the air or doing other things. The warm feeling in the pit of her stomach became more liquid as she imagined what they would do when they got to the picnic area.
“How much longer until we get there?” Iris asked.
Cayden slowed a little so she could walk beside him—his strides were far longer than hers. “Are ye gettin’ tired?”
“Nay, I could walk all day with ye. I was only wonderin’.” She was not only wondering—Iris wanted to know, as she was longing to feel pleasure from him again. She was utterly convinced they would get to spend time off their feet.
“It’s nae too far.” Cayden looked at ease again.
Iris had no idea what was running through his mind, but she had seen him tense and relax a few times over the previous days. There was a good reason for that, but she liked to see him more comfortable as he was out on the castle grounds.
“It’s beautiful out here,” Iris admitted.
“Aye, it is. Me brother and me used to come play out here all the time when we were bairns.”
The words hung in the air as they walked, and Iris wanted to ask more about his childhood and what happened after that, but she knew better. She would let him tell her when he was ready. He didn’t add anything more about his brother.
“Afore I came to the castle, there were rumors that yer great hall was covered in blood,” Iris blurted.
“Covered in blood?”
“Aye.”
Cayden smirked a little. “Whose blood?”
“I dinnae really ken—the blood of yer enemies. There were a lot of stories like that. Tales of ye sittin’ on a throne made from the bones of yer enemies, how ye would chop a man’s head off for lookin’ at ye the wrong way, other stuff like that.” There were more stories, but she didn’t want to mention them.
“Now, a throne made from the bones of me enemies sounds interestin’, but it would start to smell if me great hall was covered in blood.” Cayden chuckled.
“Aye, I suppose it would.” Iris laughed along with him.
“I ken there are those stories out there,” the Laird admitted. “They call me the mad laird. I suppose there is some truth to everythin’”
Iris wanted to know what truth there was to it, and she almost asked. A crack to their right halted her words, and she immediately froze to the spot. She could smell again the breath of the man who had been atop her before the Laird had saved her.
Cayden dropped the picnic basket to the ground with a soft thud and whipped out his short sword. Once again, the muscles in his forearm tightened but for battle this time. He shifted his feet, taking up the fighting stance she remembered from when he had trained her.
Iris’ eyes darted to the thick foliage again when there was a rustling.
Cayden moved sideways to put himself between the threat and Iris.
