Page 53 of Kilted Seduction
They’d almost finished the tale, and answering Lachlan Ross’s questions, when there was a knock, and a man in dark, well-tailored robes entered. Thora vaguely remembered that he’d been introduced as an advisor of some sort. “The morning report, me laird.”
He handed his laird a sheaf of papers, then turned, and Thora froze as ice filled her body, or seemed to. She hadn’t seen it whenhe stepped past her, but his right arm was folded up against his chest, secured by a sling and bandaged from palm to above the elbow. Not just bandaged but splinted with heavy wooden rods between wrist and elbow.
She’d seen Enya bandage wounds in that manner, and it was usually due to broken bones. Most often, she’d seen it when one of the guards sparred with Domhnall in the practice yard, and her brother misjudged his strength.
It cannae be a coincidence. That injury… ‘tis too much like the one I inflicted on the leader o’ our assailants last night. And where else would a man acquire such a wound between the end o’ the feasting and this morn? And in enough time fer the healer tae tend it and send him about his duties?
Now I ken fer certain – ‘twas Lachlan Ross himself who was behind the attack.
She wanted to shout an accusation and had to bite her tongue to hold it back. She had no proof, only the man’s injury and her suspicion. It wasn’t enough to accuse a laird, or a laird’s trusted advisor, of a serious breach of hospitality, or attempted harm, much less attempted murder.
She let Aedan finish what he was saying, then rose from her seat. “Me laird, I think ye fer hearing us. But it wouldnae dae tae tak’ up much more o’ yer time, and I believe there’s a hot bath awaiting us. That is, if me husband has nae more he wishes tae say.”
Fortunately, Aedan understood her intentions well enough. Perhaps he’d seen the same things she had. Perhaps it was only her urgency that alerted him. Whatever the reason, he was quick to stand and support her. “Aye. Me wife and I could both do with a bath tae relax after last night. If ye’ve nae more questions…”
“Nae at this time.” Lachlan waved them off. “I’ll keep ye informed if I find aught, though ‘tis regrettable ye didnae get a look at yer attacker’s faces. ‘Twould have helped greatly.”
“Aye. But such is the way o’ it.” With a final respectful nod, Aedan took her arm and led her out of the study. He waited until they were far enough from the office, in an empty space of the corridor, before he spoke again. “Dae ye think he’ll find aught?”
Thora shook her head. “He’ll nae even look. He kens exactly who attacked us and why.”
Thora’s grim announcement made Aedan stop for a moment, but she shook her head and tugged on his arm to continue walking. Aedan followed her lead, bemused.
They entered their rooms to find the mess more or less straightened up, and a large bathing tub filled with hot water steaming gently by the fire, which was blazing high. Aedan closed and latched the door behind them, then turned to Thora. “What did ye mean, when ye said Lachlan willnae look fer our assailants?”
“They’re his own men, ‘tis what I mean.” Thora looked at him, blue eyes troubled. “I dinnae ken what prompted such an action, but ‘tis nay coincidence that his advisor wears bandages and splints on the same arm as they’d be worn by the man I hit with a candlestick.”
Aedan cursed. He’d been too focused on searching his memory for any detail he might have forgotten to mention to pay much attention to the advisor. He hadn’t realized the man’s injury was exactly the same as the one that had ended the commotion the night before. “Should we leave?”
“I’m nae sure… I dinnae think we’ve discovered everything we need tae, but ‘tis getting fair dangerous tae stay.” Thora’s expression was tense with uncertainty. He wondered how often she had experienced such feelings. “I worry about stayin’ too much longer. But if we leave tae soon, he’ll ken something is wrong, and I dinnae ken how that will influence what he does next.”
“And yer gift…?”
She shook her head. “Doesnae work in these situations. There’s too many decisions that can change the outcome. ‘Tis the same as havin’ nae gift at all.”
Aedan felt
sympathy curl through him. To be in such a situation, it was probably similar to how he’d feel if he went blind. Unnerving inthe extreme, and all more because they were in such a perilous situation.
Still, there was nothing either of them could do at the moment. He needed to confer with Mac, and until they had a better idea of what was going on, the best plan was to stick to their original plan and gather what information they could. They’d simply have to be more on their guard - neither difficult or unexpected after the attack from the night before.
On the other hand, there was no point in working themselves into a panic. They had some time to decide what their next actions should be. For now, there was a hot bath waiting for them.
He reached out and drew Thora closer to him, and easily undid the laces of her bodice. Thora yelped. “What are ye…?”
“There’s a hot bath.” Aedan pressed a kiss to her throat. “And ‘tis nae as if we havenae seen each other already.”
“But…”
“Ye’re worried. But tae much worry will only increase the chances o’ doin’ something tae draw further suspicion tae us.” Aedan leaned closer to breathe in her scent. “Tis best we tak’ a moment tae relax and regather our composure.”
He slid his arms around her and let them trail over her stomach muscles. Thora shivered, but didn’t try to escape his grasp.
“How can ye be thinkin’ o’ such things…?”
“Because ye need tae relax, as I said. And because ye’re a beautiful woman. Ye’re enough tae set any man’s blood aflame and give him such thoughts.” He slid his hand up to cup her breasts. “I ken ye’re concerned fer the future, and likely tae be sore, after last night and yer injuries from the other day as well, but that doesnae mean ye need tae forsake pleasure altaegether.”
“What dae ye mean?” Her voice was hesitant, but she hadn’t tried to escape him yet. “Aedan… we… we have other things tae consider…”
