Page 19 of Secrets of a Kilted Seduction

“I’d like tae bathe, so I need some privacy fer an hour or two. D’ye mind?”

“Daes it matter if I mind?” he asked, disappointed once again.

“Nay, nae really.” She folded her arms and stared at him. “I just dinnae want ye anywhere near me when I’m bathin’.”

Once again, Tadhg was hurt by her attitude. She would not even allow them to be friends. “Aye ye gonnae treat me as if I’m the devil forever?”

“Aye, probably,” she replied defiantly.

Feeling defeated, he sighed and said, “All right. I’ll go fer walk.” He turned on his heel and strode off down the hallway, in search of something or someone to distract him from the pain and anxiety filling his heart. The whole way, he could feel her eyes boring into his back.

He went out from the keep and walked around the castle grounds, getting his bearings. He turned a corner, and his ears pricked up to hear the distinct clash of metal on metal and the grunts and shouts of men. He knew at once that the training ground must be nearby. Hoping he might find a sparring partner to blow off a bit of steam, he followed the noise.

He soon found himself standing at the edge of the training field. Soldiers were dotted about, either practicing together or with various contraptions loaded with large, human head-shaped turnips or mangel-wurzels. His fingers itched for a vigorous bout of sparring, and he was standing looking for a likely candidate when a familiar, jocular voice behind him said, “Lookin’ fer a partner tae trade a few blows with, are ye?”

Tadhg turned on his heel to come face to face with the grinning face of Laird Stewart.

“Ye read me mind,” Tadhg said, returning the grin. He was glad to see the man, for he seemed to offer an oasis of sanity in a madhouse. “Aye ye up fer it?”

“Aye, if ye like. I’ve naethin’ else tae dae until dinner, it seems,” Stewart explained.

“Oh, why’s that? I thought ye were deep in negotiations with Blaine over yer treaty.”

“I need some more documents from home apparently. I’ve sent fer them, but until they come, I can dae little but offer me assistance tae Blaine in his attempts tae get his faither back.”

“Well, I wish I could say I’m sorry about that,” Tadhg said, “but I’d be lyin’. Right now, I cannae think of a better man tae go a few rounds with.”

“Me too, so let’s get tae it, me friend,” Knox agreed, giving Tadhg a hearty slap on the back. Chatting amiably about their different battle experiences and the weapons they favored, they walked together across to the armory, to change into some suitable training gear.