Never Kiss a Highlander

by Michele Sinclair

  She was now convinced that her presence was not causing him to avoid subjects but just the opposite. If anything, her being there only helped. A revelation she had after trying to influence the conversation’s direction for the umpteenth time. He took the opportunity to effortlessly turn the topic to something more enjoyable, such as who had done the most outrageous thing to stay awake while on night duty. After seeing Hamish’s genuine interest in their much less interesting tales, the men forgot she was even there, becoming quite candid and open with their responses. She could only conclude that developing some level of comradery with these men was a part of Hamish’s plan. But it had not been part of hers.

  Mairead followed Hamish out of the tower and stretched her back. The last session had been the longest. “I think you met with all but the ones who were on duty last night.”

  Hamish followed her suit and cracked his neck. “I’ll catch them another time. I’m not in any hurry.”

  Mairead fought the compulsion to roll her eyes at the idea of Hamish being in a rush to hear some nonsensical stories from a handful of unremarkable soldiers. “Well, it’s nearly time for dinner. Selah is probably wondering where I am even though she knows I was with you for the day. Still, I must go and prepare, and—”

  Two very distinct, very unhappy female voices across the courtyard stopped her mid-sentence. Mairead knew immediately who they were. Both women were a source of constant irritation. Fights occurred between them regularly and one was obviously about to erupt. Someone would have to step in and stop them. Hamish could do it, but based on what she had seen so far, he would do nothing more than stand and watch.

  Mairead was not sure how she was going to force Hamish’s involvement in clan matters; she only knew that she needed to find a way. But hearing the increasing volume of shrieks currently being exchanged, Mairead smiled as she was suddenly struck with an idea of just how she could make that happen.

  “It won’t be long now,” Mairead forewarned cheerfully.

  Hamish looked at her, his brow arched quizzically.

  Mairead used her chin to point out two average-height, full-figured women facing each other across the yard and began to amble over to watch the show. “Ava and Sophie are sisters and responsible for cleaning the laundry generated in the keep, which includes me and now you. At least once a week, one of them accuses the other of not doing their fair share of the work or doing it poorly. It never fails to escalate until someone steps in and separates the two.”

  Mairead kept to herself that it always fell to her to be the person to separate them as everyone else was afraid of getting hurt. But today, she would simply refuse. Hamish would either have to watch the two women brutally attack each other or finally get involved.

  As she predicted, the women’s screams were now being accompanied with hair pulling, as Ava reached out and grabbed Sophie’s brown braid. All-out war between the two women was moments away. “Aren’t you going to do something?” Mairead finally asked, elbowing Hamish once again in his side.

  “Why would I?” he asked back, his eyes locked on the two warring women with interest, not even bothering to look at her.

  “Because,” Mairead hissed, “they are arguing about you.”

  “I know,” came his gleeful reply. This time Hamish spared a second to glance her way and she could see the proud grin across his face. “Who am I to decide which one gets to do my laundry?”

  Men! Mairead thought to herself as she realized her folly. She should have realized that the show only would inflate his ego and therefore be the last thing he would want to see end. But then again, if attention was what Hamish enjoyed, Sophie and Ava were also ideally suited to meet those needs.

  Mairead rocked back on her heels. “I highly advise you to stop them or you might not like the consequences.”

  Tilting his head, Hamish bent down and placed his lips close to her ear so that no one could overhear. “As part of our deal, I feel obligated to let you know that such coercion techniques are highly unattractive to a man.”

  Mairead blinked. Deal? What deal? As the memory of her whimsical pact came back to her, her eyes grew large with secret amusement. She kept her gaze on the two women and the physical violence they were inflicting upon each other. “And as part of that deal, I must tell you that listening to a woman’s opinion cannot only be quite rewarding to capturing her heart, it most likely will save you from enormous discomfort.”

  Then before he could conceive of a rebuttal, she called out in a singsong voice, “Sophie! Ava! Guess what Hamish just told me?” Hearing his name, instantly the two women paused. Their hands still held a fistful of hair, neither letting go, but both wanted to hear what Mairead said next. “He just mentioned that he needs a chambermaid to assist him during his stay here and is hoping one of you will agree to take the role. But he needs your help deciding who it should be.”

  A great sense of satisfaction filled her upon seeing Hamish’s face morph into one of horror as both Sophie and Ava shifted their full attention onto him.

  Without another word, Mairead flashed him her most becoming smile, blew him a kiss, and sauntered off, intentionally swaying her hips as she moved.

  Next time, Hamish, she thought to herself, I would think twice about dismissing a woman’s suggestions—especially this woman.

  * * *

  Robert coughed and cleared his throat. “Selah tells me that you both are spending a lot of time together. Is this true?”

  Mairead stared at her fork, trying to decide if she should stab her sister with it now or wait until later and do it in private. Could this day become any more unpredictable?

  When she had left Hamish in the courtyard, she did not think anything could diminish her joy from teaching Hamish a lesson. Even Selah’s attempts to make her feel guilty about being unavailable for most of the day had not worked. Her good mood though was short-lived. Just before dinner, she bumped into Ava wearing an expression Mairead could not remember the woman ever having.

  Ava was happy. Very happy. And with much enthusiasm, she relayed how Hamish had quickly resolved the matter to both women’s immense satisfaction. He originally suggested they take turns, but after talking with them for a few minutes he helped them realize that Ava longed for a break from doing the laundry and that Sophie had no interest in cleaning rooms. She actually enjoyed working with the other women at the river, despite the cold.

  Mairead could not decide whether she was frustrated with Hamish’s ability to charm his way out of impossible difficulties or relieved to learn that the regular tirades between the two women had finally come to at least a temporary end. By dinnertime, she had decided that the unlikely happy outcome only proved her motivations were well placed.

  Hamish had a gift at turning situations to his advantage, if he so chose. Somehow she had to convince him that he needed to use those skills for the good of the clan. She knew Hamish would never stay, but that did not mean he could not leave a lasting impression on his brother. Robert was many things, including intelligent. He also had an earnest desire to do what was best for the clan. If he could see what a good leader like Hamish could accomplish, there was a good chance Robert might alter some of his methods and beliefs.

  Mairead had hoped to launch her campaign at dinner, but her plans were usurped by Robert, who had insisted on joining them against Selah’s wishes, stating he felt much better. Nothing could have been further from the truth. Based on his loud and persistent cough, her sister had been right. He should have remained in bed. Mairead had just been about to join Selah in her efforts to persuade Robert to return to his chambers when out of the blue he asked about her and Hamish. And for the life of her, she could not think of anything to say.

  Thankfully, Hamish did not have such a problem. “Just what are you really asking about, Robert?”

  Mairead swallowed. Hamish’s posture was relaxed as he sat back against the chair, but his green eyes, normally so warm and full of brilliance, had grown cold, reminding her of marbl
ed rock merchants brought over from the Isles of Iona and Skye. Such a look was terrifying, for Hamish had completely shut down his emotions. As a soldier, the ability made him capable of necessary but horrific deeds. But off the field, it meant he was capable of saying and doing just about anything. This included rising to his feet and leaving Foinaven forever without a single word or feeling of regret.

  If Robert also saw the same precarious possibility looming, he did not show it. His own frame was weak and slumped, but his gaze held firm to Hamish’s. “Only that people have seen you both together.”

  Mairead continued to stare at her fork. She was tempted to put it down and remind her sister that she had been quite clear about her plans to help Hamish and that of course people had seen them together. But she also knew that many had seen them that morning. She was positive that no one had overheard them based on where they were, but it was possible that they had deduced what she and Hamish were talking about based on a few of her reactions as well as his.

  Hamish’s anger, however, was growing. “How so?”

  Robert waved a finger at them both. “Only that you have been seen close together on occasion and people are beginning to talk,” he answered, stopping as a coughing spasm took hold.

  Selah nodded and patted her husband’s hand. “Most believe you are fighting as several remember your exchange in the courtyard that first day. I’ve assured everyone that you are on friendly terms and just trying to keep your voices low when near the keep because you do not wish to disturb Robert.”

  Mairead felt her hand relax. No one suspected the truth. If they had, this conversation would be much different.

  “I remember you two being close when Mairead was a child,” Selah continued. “It is only natural that the sibling affinity you once had to still remain.”

  Mairead finally put her fork down and tried to gather her racing thoughts. Nothing she felt for Hamish could be categorized as sibling-related, but that did not mean she was not going to cut all but minimal ties with him. She couldn’t. She needed to spend time with the man to learn his plan and decide whether she was going to have to marry, leave, or do nothing.

  Mairead looked up and caught Selah’s gaze. “I have no intention of ending the time I’m spending with Hamish. He met with your soldiers, but when it comes to understanding the needs of our clansmen, he needs much help and you, Selah, need to be with Robert. That leaves me.”

  Selah, hearing the logic along with the emphatic tone, nodded in agreement.

  Hamish’s eyes shifted from Robert to Mairead and instantly, their icy exterior melted and was replaced by an even darker look—one that heated her insides. “I’ve agreed to your company, but as far as your help? I’ve never needed it. Nor do I want it.”

  She returned his smoldering glare with one of her own. “After what I saw yesterday and today, you seem to be the most unwitting man ever to walk through these castle gates. You certainly don’t know when to offer assistance and guidance to those in need.”

  Hamish squared his jaw. “Did you just call me unwitting?”

  “Aye, I did. And I don’t care if a few gossips wag their tongues, I made you a promise the other night and I intend to keep it.”

  Selah lifted her hand. “Mairead? What promise?”

  Hamish snorted. “When you are wrong, m’aingeal, you are really wrong. If anyone is clueless around here it is you. I’ve only been here four days and I know more and have done more for Foinaven than you can conceive.”

  Mairead scoffed. “Oh, ho, I would like to conceive, but all you ever tell me is ‘trust you.’ And when I do, children cause chaos and two men almost kill each other!”

  “What promise?” Selah tried again. “And what is this about men—”

  “Kill each other?” Hamish bellowed, preventing Selah from finishing her sentence. “Those men didn’t even come close to touching each other.”

  “What about the mule practically destroying everything in the courtyard? Or did you just consider that entertainment?”

  “What about Ava and Sophie? Wasn’t it you who said they never got along? They practically are singing each other’s praises at the moment.”

  “But for how long? Tomorrow, they—”

  “I really would like to know about this promise—”

  “You have no concept of—”

  “Enough!” Robert shouted loudly, surprising everyone into silence, including himself. “Now that I’ve seen the two of you together myself, I’m satisfied. Now, before I begin to cough again and make you worry unnecessarily, dear,” he said, squeezing Selah’s hand and rising to his feet, “let us leave.”

  Relief filled Selah’s features and she quickly got to her feet. “It is about time. I’m serious, Robert. Your cough is not getting better and it is because you refuse to stay in bed where it is warm.”

  “You’re probably right, dear, but will it matter that my body is healthy if my mind has gone mad with boredom?”

  Selah sighed and shook her head in surrender. “Mairead, I want to hear more about that promise, but until then will you check on Rab? He was so tired today after their outing. Noma put him down to sleep, but I want to make sure that if he wakes he has something to eat.”

  Mairead nodded. “I will take care of it.” She immediately started preparing a small plate of food. When finished, she grabbed it and her own plate and started to leave.

  “Refusing to eat when it is just you and me?” Hamish drawled out. “And I thought you were serious about haunting my every step.”

  Mairead stopped and turned around upon hearing the implied challenge. “If you want a woman’s company, you will have far more success if you just ask her to stay. Consider that my last free lesson on women, Hamish MacBrieve. Our deal is now concluded.”

  Hamish watched her leave, knowing he should not have incited her company, but their discussions were challenging and lively and of all things honest. And based on the way her hips were swaying back and forth she felt the same.

  Mo chreach, he liked it.

  Chapter Seven

  Hamish stepped out of the stables and looked up at the sky. It was going to be another cold and windy day. But the air did not smell like rain. Tomorrow the weather could bring rain that would not stop for days, which meant, windy or not, he needed to ride out and meet with Davros today. He might not have another opportunity.

  He was about to step back inside and check on the stable boy’s progress when he spied Mairead—the very woman he had been looking for—standing in the doorway of the keep’s entrance with her back facing the courtyard. She stood there for several seconds and then he saw the deep green of her gown disappearing back inside the keep—but not to the right toward the stairwell, but to the left. The only room in that direction was his bedchambers. Hamish crossed his arms and waited. After several minutes, he realized Mairead was not pacing by his door or even pounding on it. She had gone inside.

  Stepping back inside the stables, Hamish told Adiran to ready a second horse after finishing with his. That he would be back in a few minutes for them both. The boy nodded, surprised that Hamish remembered his name.

  Hamish headed across the courtyard with a spring in his step, eager to find out what Mairead’s reaction was going to be upon being caught. Hopefully, she felt guilty for snooping in his room uninvited. It would make it easier to persuade her to come with him on today’s journey.

  Last night, after Mairead had left to check on Rab, he had reconsidered what Robert had been hinting at and had decided to give up his nightly reflection in the great hall. He wished he could just as easily remove Mairead from his thoughts. She invaded his dreams and was the last person he thought of before falling asleep. He woke this morning calling himself a fool. Why should he abstain from Mairead’s company? She was the primary reason being at Foinaven had not felt like a burden but . . . rather enjoyable. He did not just endure Mairead’s company, he wanted it . . . he needed it. Aye, every moment he spent with her was going to make it hard
er when he left—alone. But if he was going to experience pain either way, he would rather it be later. At least then, he would be back home where she was not constantly around, reminding him of what he could not have.

  Hamish was about to pass through the keep’s entrance when Mairead came out, looking down as she dusted her hands off on her skirt. “Find what you need?”

  Mairead’s head snapped up, her eyes wide. She saw where his hand was pointing. “What makes you think I was in your chambers?”

  Hamish stepped around her and pushed open the semi-closed door. He inhaled deeply through his nose and then said with a grin, “I can smell you.”

  Mairead watched in mortification as he went to the nearest table to grab his sword and a travel bundle. She wanted to deny the accusation, but it would be a lie and the big grin on his face made it clear that he was not guessing she had been in there. He knew. “What put you in such a jovial mood?” she asked, trying to change the topic.

  Hamish shrugged. “I like the way you smell. Come visit anytime.”

  Mairead pursed her lips as he grinned at her again. The sincerity of both the grin and the invitation was almost overwhelming. “Stop smiling.”

  Hamish chuckled and then went to hold open the door. “Why? I always smile at you.”

  Mairead shook her head and followed him out into the courtyard. She crossed her arms. “Aye, you do. But this morning your smile is unnervingly candid. As if you are truly happy. Normally the curve of your mouth twitches, which I’ve figured out is a clear sign that you are up to something.”

  Much of the time Hamish liked that Mairead could read him so well, but right now was not one of them. If he was not careful, she would connect his genuinely happy demeanor to seeing her and the last thing he needed was to empower her with the knowledge of just how much he enjoyed her company. “Ah, but this time you were the one up to something. I wonder, just what of my many secrets did you find?”