Page 5 of Kilted Seduction
The lad was large, almost as tall as she, and well-muscled, but the lines of his face suggested someone much younger than hissize would indicate. By his expressions and the way he spoke, she guessed he was barely eight to ten years of age. Old enough and big enough to work with the horses, but not yet wise to the ways of the world.
“Healer sent ye?” The boy frowned.
“Aye. She did. Though I’ll confess, I have another reason fer wishin’ tae see yer horses.” She waved the lad closer. “Ye see, me husband is a warrior here, but he hasnae been home taenight yet. I’m afeared he’s either found another lass, or that he’s been drinkin’ too much mead and whisky o’ the evenings. I plan tae confront him and tak’ him home.”
“What’s that tae dae with horses?” The boy’s frown deepened.
“I’ll need tae borrow one tae get him home, if he’s drunk. I’d appreciate if ye’d saddle this one fer me, so I dinnae have tae try and carry his weight.”
“I cannae…”
The clan was in need of coin. That meant that servants like this stable boy were probably feeling the lack. And even if they weren’t, a family that sent a lad this young into service of the laird was likely one in need of many things. Most families kept their sons home, caring for their land and their crops, or livestock, unless the entire family served in the castle, or they were poor enough to need to find other work for their children.
Thora dug into her pocket and pulled out several coppers, and a few silvers. “If ye’ll dae as I ask and see the horse ready fer me, then ye can have all o’ this.”
The lad’s eyes widened. If her family’s clan was anything to go by, then she was offering him more money than he’d see in a season, so she wasn’t surprised when he shuffled closer.
The boy considered a moment longer. “Ye’ll return the horse?”
“Within a day, at the longest.”.
She watched as the youth struggled for a moment, desire for the money warring with his loyalty. Then he nodded. “Horse’ll be ready fer ye. But if ye hurt the horse… I’ll… I’ll tell the laird about ye!”
“I understand.” She pressed the coins into his palm. “Thank ye fer yer assistance, lad.”
The boy’s hand closed over the coins. Thora waited until he’d stepped back and slipped them into a belt pouch, then took her leave.
Now, for the hardest part of her plan… finding a way to drug an overly suspicious laird and kidnap him.
CHAPTER FOUR
Aedan was in the middle of preparing for bed when the knock came. He scowled at the door. Disturbances at the door to his bedchamber were never welcome, given how they intruded on the little time he had to himself.
The knock came again, signaling that whoever it was would not be content to leave him in peace. With a snarl of frustration, Aedan stalked across to open the heavy oak panel, heedless of his disheveled state and his missing clothing. If he upset some denizen of the castle or embarrassed a maid, so much the better. They might think twice about disturbing him in the future.
The disturbance however, was not a maid, or a Council Elder, or his second-in-command. Upon opening the door, Aedan could honestly say this disturbance was one of the more intriguing and inspiring disturbances he’d ever found outside his bedroom door.
Thora MacTavish was standing outside his bedroom, the laces on the bodice of her borrowed shift undone, barefoot, with her hair loose and a shy smile on her face. “Me laird.”
Aedan blinked, too startled for words, as she sidled closer and attempted what was no doubt meant to be a seductive and inviting smile. She was a bonny enough lass, but her face was so flushed, it was clear she had no idea what she was doing. “Miss MacTavish.”
“Could I… come in? I’ve something I wish tae… discuss… with ye.”
The tone was obviously meant to be breathless and sultry, to tempt him, but her blush and her tone sounded more hesitant than anything else. In fact, she looked as if she were one word away from turning and bolting down the hallway.
The proper thing to do would be to assume that she’d had a cup or two more of mulled wine than was good for her, turn her away with as much courtesy as he could manage, and spare them both any further embarrassment.
But Aedan wasn’t in the mood for propriety. Nor did he honestly think she was drunk. Her eyes were too clear, her awkwardness too evident, for her to be acting in the foolishness caused by overindulgence in wine. That made her presence at his door rather more intriguing than it would have been otherwise. That she would come to him like this, after the way their last encounter had transpired, made him curious.
Aedan stepped back. “Come in then, if ye wish. Though I’ll hope yer nae trying tae tell me any more stories o’ dreams and plots against me clan.”
“Nay, me laird. ‘Tis naething like that…” Thora stepped into his room. “’Tis… I am embarrassed tae admit…” She blushed further and looked away. “’Twas the only way I could think o’ tae gain yer attention.”
Aedan raised an eyebrow. “Gain me attention?”
“Aye. Ye’re well thought o’, and handsome, but bein’ the laird… I didnae think ye’d look twice at a village lass like me, nae unless I did something tae make meself more noticeable.” The fall of her dark hair trailed across her shoulder like fine silk, begging to be touched.
“Ye thought I wouldnae notice ye? And why should it matter if I notice ye or nae?” He stepped closer.
