His father smiled knowingly. “Ye’re never too old to stop caring for my approval.”
Rather than argue further, William turned and left the small room, refusing to give his father the satisfaction of seeing that he was right. Reid waited for him downstairs and lifted his brows in silent question when William approached him.
“It went as expected,” William replied.
“Ale?” Reid asked.
“Aye.”
Ordinarily, William would also want a woman or two with his ale, lusty lasses to drain the tension from his body with a long night of debauchery. But now there was only one woman he wanted.
The one he clearly could not have.
* * *
Kinsey had been to Edinburgh once before. A lifetime ago. It had been when she and her family traveled to Scotland from England after her da’s death. She remembered the city being large and overwhelming.
But it hadn’t just been the eyes of a child who saw it that way, for it was the same now. Buildings were pressed together and rose high in the sky as people rushed this way and that, their pace hurried. An unmistakable fetid odor hung in the air, so great it could only be produced by an area so populated.
She explored the city on her own for a bit with her dagger tucked close in her belt and her bow and quiver slung over her shoulder. But no matter what shops she discovered or the sweet currant and honey pastry she’d eaten, she couldn’t stop thinking how much more enjoyable it would be to do with someone else. Her mum or Clara.
Or even Sir William.
Her stomach fluttered. He’d tried to flirt with her after the night of their dagger throwing competition. His wink had left her pulse racing, and the grin on his lips made her want to press her mouth to his. But she’d maintained a cool air. She had, after all, been the one to lay down the declaration that nothing would change between them after that kiss.
But it had.
Oh, it had.
At night, it inundated her dreams with heat and temptation. During the day, it chased away most other thoughts. And through it all, her body raged with desire.
After her time exploring, a sunset streaked the sky with fiery red, orange and purple over the city. It was then the day’s drizzle became a hearty rain and forced her back to the Pig and Pony Inn for a hot meal and a dry kirtle.
By the time she’d changed and squeezed as much moisture from her curls as possible, she made her way downstairs, where the tantalizing scent of savory stew emanated. The tavern wenches were clustered around one table in particular, and she caught the familiar face at their center.
Sir William.
He drew women like shite drew flies.
Kinsey had thought herself different, immune to his charms. But now she was well aware that she too was just another lass under his spell.
Irritation tightened through her. She strode past him and Reid with a nod to them both and took a seat along an empty bench by herself.
Her bum had not even warmed the wood beneath her before Sir William appeared beside her table. “Mind if I join ye?”
“Ye already have.”
He grinned. “So I have.”
“I’m sure ye’re disappointing many lasses by being with me,” she replied dryly.
“What lasses?”
One of the very women she’d referenced approached their table and set down two mugs of ale and bowls of stew, as well as a platter of crusty bread. The ones delivered to Sir William were decidedly more carefully placed than Kinsey’s.
“The lasses who notice ye everywhere ye go,” Kinsey replied.
“There’s only one woman I noticed tonight.” He gave her his full attention, and her heart stumbled over its quickened beat.
She took a sip of ale to hide his effect on her.
The drink was cool with a nutty taste and a sharp bite at the end. Exactly what she needed. She lifted her brows at him in question.
“I’ve noticed ye.” He ignored his stew and drank a hearty swallow of ale.
It was then she realized he’d most likely had several already before she arrived.
“Aye,” Kinsey said skeptically. “Tonight.”
“And the night before as well, and the one before that.” He tilted his head, and a lock of his dark hair fell over his brow. It was unfair how even something so small was so becoming and enhanced his attractiveness. “I’ve noticed only ye since I met ye, Kinsey.”
His words left a pleasant heat unfurling in her stomach. Damn him.
“How many ales have ye had?” She eyed his mug pointedly.
“No’ nearly enough to make ye leave my thoughts.”
He gave her a lopsided smile, and her heart quivered.
“Ye’ve a pretty tongue on ye,” she scoffed.
He leaned closer and met her eyes with a burning heat. “I’ve a wicked tongue.”
Her breath caught. The way he’d kissed her rose in her mind, his tongue stroking hers, teasing over her skin.
She took a bite of the stew to keep from having to reply. The meat was riddled with fat and tough as shoe leather, but the gravy was flavorful and the meal warm.
A serving wench approached them, her eyes wide and doe-like as she regarded William. “Anything I can get for ye?”
And by “ye,” she obviously meant him. It was all well and good, for Kinsey would be retiring to her room after she finished eating. Away from Sir William, who was becoming harder and harder to resist.
He shook his head without glancing at the woman, and she shot Kinsey a petulant look before huffing away.
“Be honest with me, Kinsey.” William eyed her earnestly.
Something told her she wouldn’t like his query. She took another bite of stew, eager to be done and back in her room.
“Did ye enjoy my kiss?” he asked.
She drank from her ale to keep him from seeing the heat scorching her cheeks. When she set the mug down, she offered a shrug. “It was a kiss.”
“But did ye—”
“I’m yer archer,” she said, reminding him
