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As expected, at the sound of Kenna’s approach, Sarah’s head lifted and she turned around, her eyes widening. “Oh, I wasn’t aware someone else was here.” A hesitant smile came to her face, her blue eyes wide and yet not daring to linger upon Kenna’s face for too long. Indeed, the English lady seemed nervous and uncertain of herself.
Inwardly, Kenna smiled. Perhaps it would be far easier to persuade the woman to leave than Kenna had first thought.
“What are ye looking at?” Kenna asked, watchful that her voice did not betray her discontent as she nodded toward the telescope. “I suppose ’tis far too early for stargazing.”
A slightly embarrassed chuckle escaped Sarah. “I admit I was looking at Aiden and Duncan riding down to the village.” A deep blush came to her cheeks, and she worried her lower lip, clearly ashamed. “I didn’t mean to watch them, but I saw them mount their horses and then ride out of the courtyard. I could not help but wonder where they were going.”
Kenna stepped forward and toward the telescope. “May I see?”
Sarah nodded her head a bit too enthusiastically, undoubtedly relieved that Kenna did not hold her spying against her. “Of course.”
Pinching one eye shut, Kenna looked through the telescope, her gaze quickly finding Aiden and Duncan as they stood among others of the village, their coats cast aside as they assisted in the rebuilding of the house that had come down in the last storm. “Oh, aye, that’s old Morag’s house. The roof caved in a few days past.” She stood up and looked at Sarah. “Sometimes the storms can be quite fierce near the coast.”
A shiver seemed to shake Sarah, and she wrapped her arms around herself. “That sounds awful. Does it happen a lot?”
Kenna shook her head. “No, ’tis quite rare.” She glanced toward the telescope. “They will no doubt have rebuilt it by nightfall.”
A warm smile came to Sarah’s face, and she turned her head toward the window, as though she could glimpse what was happening below in the village. “Does Keir’s father often help with such work?” she asked then before returning her gaze to Kenna.
Kenna rather disliked the sound of Keir’s name upon the Englishwoman’s tongue. Still, she fought to hold her features in check. “They do. Why would they not?”
“No, it is simply that as leader of this clan, I would not have expected him to do so.” She heaved a deep breath, and her gaze became distant. “Where I am from, the lords of the land would never consider doing such a thing.” She blinked; her gaze focused upon Kenna. “There is such a distinction between people of the upper classes and those of the lower classes. It feels like a wall that no one could ever bridge.”
Kenna frowned. “That is not something ye will find here,” she remarked, a bit of an edge to her voice that she could not prevent.
Sarah’s eyes widened immediately. “Oh, you misunderstand. I’m quite pleased to see how things are done here. I’m simply surprised.” She sighed. “A part of me feels as though this place is too good to be true.”
“What’s it like,” Kenna began, determined to learn more about the Englishwoman, “to be so far from home? Do ye not miss yer family?”
A thoughtful expression came to Sarah’s face. “Well, fortunately my sister and her daughters are here with me, and… I was never close with my parents.”
Kenna nodded, remembering the story from the gathering. “Aye, there’s a strong bond between siblings, is there not?”
A deep smile came to Sarah’s face as she nodded. “I suppose it is the same for you and Eoghan, is it not? He seems like a very dedicated father. Bonnie is fortunate to have him.”
“And unfortunate to have lost her mother,” Kenna retorted, beginning to get annoyed with the sweetness Sarah displayed. Was there no edge to this woman? There had to be! Only what would bring it forth?
At Kenna’s words, Sarah’s expression darkened. “Of course. That must’ve been awful for the both of them.”
“Is it not the same for yer sister’s daughters? After all, they are now growing up without their father.”
An expression of guilt came to Sarah’s face, and inwardly, Kenna rejoiced. “Is it not yer plan to see them returned, eventually? Perhaps distance will make him realize what he had in his family, and he will change his ways.”
Sarah’s lips pressed into a tight line as she shook her head, each movement becoming a bit more forceful. “I do not think that to be possible. Otherwise, we would not have taken such a drastic step. It was our last resort, and yes, I do feel awful for what happened. I wish it could have gone otherwise.” She blinked her eyes, and then her chin rose a fraction, suggesting she wished to leave that topic behind her. “And you and your brother are close?” She chuckled a bit shyly. “I only have a sister, so I have no knowledge of what it is like growing up with a brother.”
Kenna moved around past the telescope and toward the window, leaning her back against the wall. “Aye, we’ve always been close. He’s a good man, and so is Keir.” Curiosity sparked in Sarah’s eyes. “They have been the best of friends since the moment they could walk.” She chuckled, smiling warmly at the memory, wanting Sarah to see what connected them all. Something that did not include her as a foreigner. “I, too, often went along on their adventures, and it brought us closer.”
Kenna rejoiced as she saw the smile upon Sarah’s face dim. Clearly, the other woman had noted the underlying meaning of Kenna’s words. Encouraged, Kenna continued, her gaze once more drawn to the young woman’s small braids. “Keir and I have always shared a special bond, and I must say I missed him terribly when his grandmother urged him to go to England and help her friend. Of course, he didna wish to go, but he knew his duty. He is a most honorable man, ye know?” Kenna smiled warmly at Sarah, watching the other woman swallow hard, the expression in her eyes now overshadowed.
“Even though I missed him,” Kenna added with a deep sigh, “I am quite glad that he went, for yer story touched me deeply.” She pressed her hand to her chest for emphasis. “And I am so relieved that Keir could lend a hand in securing yer freedom. I see how he watches over ye and yer sister as well as yer nieces, and I simply love that about him, the way he tends to everyone in need.”
Sarah swallowed hard, and once again her arms rose to wrap around herself. Yet Kenna detected a spark of something defiant in the woman’s blue eyes as she lifted her chin and met her gaze. “I believe I know of what you speak,” she murmured, her gaze watchful. “I grew up very close with my best friend’s family, and she and her sisters became like sisters to me as well. It is such a bond that I see everywhere I look here. You are most fortunate.”
Kenna felt a touch of anger spark in her veins at Sarah’s suggestion that Keir might be like a brother to her. “Of course, I consider Keir family, but I must say that he never looked at me the same way he looked at his sister.” She smiled at Sarah and then winked conspiratorially. “There was always something… different in his gaze.”
Deeply pleased, Kenna watched Sarah’s face pale. For a moment, her blue eyes remained unblinking, staring straight ahead through Kenna, her attention directed inward. Indeed, there was a spark of pain and disappointment in the young woman’s gaze, and for a brief moment, Kenna felt remorse. Of course, she did not wish to hurt Sarah; however, it was better to make her see the truth now before her heart was misled into believing that Keir could ever truly love her.
Sarah mumbled a few rather unintelligible words and then hastened away, the expression upon her face quite telling. Aye, she had understood Kenna’s meaning, and it had hurt her. Yet it had been necessary.
