Page 26 of The Highlander’s Kilted Affair

CHAPTER NINE

After sending two servants ahead of them to gather the council, the two men travelled hurriedly through the castle. As he went, Benedict thought of the day he had spent with Evelyn. His mind whirled with confusion and contradiction. He wanted her, but could not have her. He should stay away from her, but he couldn’t stand it when she was not beside him.

Things were not going to get any easier. She would marry Audor and become a permanent resident in his life. He would be forced to look upon her every single day. Look, but not touch. It was going to be utter torture.

So, what am I tae dae?

As they continued to stride down the corridor, Benedict couldn’t hold this anxiety to himself any longer. Killian had already helped him navigate the issues that had arisen in Audor’s absence. Perhaps he could help him with this too.

“I’ve a confession tae make,” he blurted.

Killian jerked his head toward him, but the men continued walking. “What confession?”

“Ye ken the lass I met in the library at the Mackay’s wedding?”

“The one ye havenae shut up about,” Killian teased.

But Benedict was in no mood for joviality. “Aye, her. Well, I ken who she is.”

“What?” Killian exclaimed. “How? When?”

“I found out the minute Evelyn Sinclair arrived,” Benedict replied.

It took a second, but then Killian came to a sudden standstill and spun toward his cousin. His mouth fell open with a loud gasp, and with wide eyes, he stared at Benedict. “It was Lady Sinclair?”

“Shh,” Benedict hissed. “Nae so loud. Dae ye want the entire castle tae ken?”

Killian was stunned, an acceptable reaction under the circumstances.

“It gets worse,” Benedict said, as he moved forward, and the men began walking again. They rounded the corner and headed towards Audor’s study, where the council had been instructed to meet. “I kissed her today.”

“Ye did what?” Killian barked. “Are ye mad?”

“Very likely,” he replied. “I’m in trouble, Killian. Big trouble. I dinnae ken what tae dae.”

When they entered the study, Killian hurriedly closed the door behind him and turned to Benedict. He lowered his tone and gave Benedict an intense look. “All right. How bad is it?”

Benedict sighed. “I cannae get her out o’ me head.”

“Bloody hell,” Killian breathed. “Well, this is a mess.”

“I ken. And the burden lies with me. Evelyn has nae blame. She didnae ken who I was in that library, and she doesnae ken she was kissing me today. She thinks I’m Audor.”

For a moment, Killian didn’t say anything. With his gaze lowered, he furrowed his brow, clearly in deep thought about the circumstances.

“Right,” he said a few seconds later. “Here’s what ye’re going tae dae. First and foremost, I think it’s best if ye stay away from her.”

That was the obvious answer. The answer Benedict knew was the solution, but had struggled to implement so far. Maybe now, having Killian watching him and having some accountability, he would get a handle on his previous lack of self-control.

“Audor will be back soon,” Killian continued. “When he gets here, ye need tae tell him.”

Of the two things mentioned, the latter was what Benedict feared the most. He wasn’t afraid of his brother. They had always been close. But that was the point. His fear lay in how Audor would look at him when he discovered what he had done; Audor’s disappointment in Benedict’s treachery. Guilt wrapped around him like a heavy cloak, and dropping his head, he heaved a sigh.

“He’ll understand, Benedict. It’s nae like ye sought her out. Ye didnae ken who she was until she arrived here.”

Benedict shook his head, feeling angry at himself. “But I kent who she was when I kissed her earlier. I’m lying tae her and betraying me braither at the same time. Besides, what am I supposed tae dae with these feelings?” He thumped his chest. “They’re driving me mad.”

Killian didn’t seem to have an answer for that, and both men stood there in silence. Killian, clearly trying to figure out a solution to the problem, and Benedict, tortured and frustrated with the circumstance he found himself in.