When the tall walls of Kilcree keep came into sight, he sighed and patted his mount encouragingly. Men milled around the wall that surrounded the large keep. Moss clung to the square towers, painting the grey stone green in places and Finn knew that was down to the old laird’s neglect. Lorna had been very determined to ensure Kilcree Castle be restored to its former glory upon the death of her husband two summers ago. Soon the keep would be something to be admired once more if Lorna had anything to do with it.
Several men-at-arms recognised him when he navigated his horse between the gap in the wall and toward the stables. The small building sat apart from the keep and he found himself slowing, as if to put off the inevitable.
Soon he would say farewell to Lady Katelyn.
Which would be no bad thing, he reminded himself. Though they had maintained a courteous relationship, tension simmered in the air between them. All because of that near kiss. Every time he considered it he had the desire to punch something. What a fool, trying to kiss the lass he was to deliver to her betrothed. He couldn’t decide if Katelyn’s attitude toward him was born of embarrassment or because she too wished to kiss him. He caught her looking at him sometimes and in those moments he convinced himself that she needed to taste his lips just as much.
He dismounted, adjusted his sword on his belt and helped Katelyn down. Colour sat high on the cheek not marred by bruises and he stared at her for a moment. Those green eyes drew him in and under his hands her breaths quickened, her ribs expanding against his palms. A stable hand scurried over as the other men brought their horses in and they broke apart hurriedly. Katelyn murmured her thanks and backed away as Finn saw Dìleas into a stall.
Drawing a breath, he took a moment to pet the horse’s muzzle. All he had to do was hand over Katelyn to Lorna. That was it. Then he could be on his way. So why did the thought of leaving the lass create a knot in his throat?
A careful grin across his face, he stepped out of the stall and offered his hand to Katelyn. She nodded her appreciation and laid her hand across his. The touch of delicate fingers sent warmth to his groin. Many times on their journey he’d held his breath and prayed for those fingers to inch further down. He shook his head and led her up the few stone steps to the keep. Her grip tightened and when he glanced at her, he noted her stiff spine and tense expression. Something made the lass nervous. He gave her fingers a tiny squeeze and pushed open the heavy wooden doors. The slight smile she rewarded him with made his heart skip.
Rosemary and lavender drifted through the air when they stepped in, mingled with the smoke of the fire pit in the centre of the room. While the weather was warming, the stone of the keep held in the cold. It pleased him to note the Great Hall looked well-tended, as did his sister. The years he’d spent dealing with the problems in Glencolum and leaving his sister in the hands of Logan and her late husband did not play on his mind so much when he saw how well she handled things on her own.
His fair haired sister turned and her eyes widened when she spotted Katelyn and then her gaze fell on something behind him. He peered over his shoulder at Logan, whose brow dipped into a frown. He nodded his acknowledgement to Lorna and hastily made his way up the inner stairs to the balcony. Finn scowled and watched his sister carefully as he approached. Lorna had always been close to Logan, so why the cold reception?
At four and twenty—some three summers younger than him—she remained youthful looking though the sweet shape of her face belied her determination and sometimes disagreeable temper. Not that he’d have her any other way, but not many men liked a woman who spoke up readily.
“Well, sister, have ye no embrace for me?”
She laughed, her frown quickly gone and snatched her skirts to scurry over. Wrapping her arms about him, she squeezed his waist before pulling away. “I am pleased to see ye safe.” She took Katelyn’s hands and smiled warmly. “And ye, Katelyn. I feared greatly for ye. It seems my brother didnae take as good a care of ye as I’d hoped.” A teasing glint lit Lorna’s eyes but she had to know how much it galled him that Katelyn had been harmed.
Katelyn withdrew her hands and touched her bruised cheek. “Oh, nay, yer brother did all he could. He risked a great deal to come to my aid.”
“Well, I am only sorry we didnae come sooner. None expected the Norsemen to cross so soon.”
“It took us by surprise too.”
A heartbeat passed and Finn tapped his foot.
Katelyn, ye must be weary,” Lorna finally said as she signalled to a serving maid who came scurrying over. “Mae, have Lady Katelyn seen to her chambers and fill a bath.”