Suddenly, she was grateful for the years she’d left her life uncomplicated by the tangles of men and lust and love. The twisting of her stomach and crowding of her thoughts, all rife with anxiety—it was wretched.
In the end, she didn’t have to worry about an encounter with William. He wasn’t there at all. Him or his awful father.
She shuddered at how Laird MacLeod’s proposition had slithered over her, offering her a few coins for several nights in his bed.
Even with the MacLeod men blessedly absent, the practice was not a good one. Her mind was too fogged with William; her body flitting between mortification and desire. When they were finally dismissed, she brought the hay bale target forward to return it with the rest of their supplies.
Reid was there, putting away his own blunted practice sword.
She nodded at him, and he returned the gesture.
Then she hesitated.
Reid cast her a wary look. “Did ye need something?”
“I…” Her tongue couldn’t put together the jumble of questions that were flying around too quickly in her mind. She paused a moment to gather her wits. “Have ye seen Sir William?”
Confusion furrowed Reid’s brows. “He left this morning for Newcastle.”
His words struck her, taking her aback. William had left and hadn’t even bothered to bid her farewell? Nor had he taken the time to mention it the night before. With everything they had shared, how had he concealed that?
“He dinna see ye?” Reid asked.
Kinsey shook her head.
“He told me he was going to.” Reid turned away from her to toss several daggers into a sack. “I imagine he had a good reason no’ to.”
She should walk away, leave this be and discuss it with William when she next saw him.
“What was he going to say?” she pressed.
“Farewell.” Reid straightened and narrowed his hazel eyes at her. “He’s quite fond of ye, Kinsey. Ye need no’ have doubt.”
Heat warmed over her, more excited than she wanted to admit. Reid tucked aside the bag of daggers and regarded her with a curious expression as if he were considering saying something.
Her curiosity piqued. “What is it?”
In all the time Kinsey had been with Sir William’s army, never once had she seen Reid appear anything less than confident.
“I need to ask ye something.” He glanced around and took a step closer.
It was Kinsey’s turn to be wary. “What do ye need to ask me?”
He leaned a little closer. “The woman ye were with at the market in Castleton. The dark-haired one.”
“Clara?”
“Clara.” A single corner of his mouth lifted.
“Aye, she’s my sister.” Kinsey put a hand on her hip. “What of her?”
He shook his head. “’Tis nothing.”
Kinsey tried to study him, but he kept his gaze downcast. “Did ye think her bonny?”
“I imagine all men do.” He smirked and strode away.
“She’s not married.”
He glanced back at her, and a slow grin spread over his face.
Kinsey almost laughed. Reid and Clara, a fierce warrior and a healer. Wouldn’t that be a thing?
But then, she was already somewhat giddy by what Reid had said of William. He was quite fond of her.
Enough to give her pleasure without taking it for himself. Enough to nestle her in his arms all night. Enough to have intended to come to her before he left.
And Kinsey, who had never bothered to consider the possibility of love, did not even try to resist the pull of affection toward William. She let herself get swept up in the current of her thoughts and memories of his handsome smile, the way he’d winked at her playfully and how it had made her heart skip a beat.
They left the following morning with instructions to seek out any sign of the pot-de-fer as they made their way to Newcastle over the next four days. November’s chill edged into the air, carrying with it heavy clouds and rain. In truth, it was an uncomfortable journey, wet and cold.
Still, it was far better than being with the rest of the king’s army. They had been told they were all raiding through villages on their way to Newcastle. As they traveled, they encountered evidence of the destruction. It hung in the distance in thick, black clouds and seasoned the air with a smoky odor.
She passed the time with thoughts of William. After all, it was far better to fix her mind on him than allow her thoughts to drift to loneliness and mourning.
She wanted to lose herself in William again, in the passion they’d shared. How she longed for her body to blaze with need, for the insistent thrum between her legs to be sated.
It seemed to take an age for Newcastle to appear before them finally, a stone wall running around the perimeter of the town, encompassing occupants, huts and castle alike. On their journey, they’d seen no evidence of the pot-de-fer in the villages they passed. Thanks be to God.
The lawn and forest around the outside of the Newcastle were already dotted with tents where the king and his commanders had set up camp as they waited for their armies to arrive.
The red and blue MacLeod flag caught in the wind, where it whipped and curled. Kinsey’s breath quickened with excitement. She’d spent far too much time thinking of William, and now, she was here, ready to see him once more.
Aye, she’d always been impulsive, acting on what she wanted without consideration.
And, oh, how she wanted William.
He emerged from the tent, his square shoulders broader than she remembered, the sweep of his dark hair over his brow far more enticing. He flashed a wide grin at them all and ran toward them.
Toward her.
Finally, she would see him again. Finally, they could be together.
The wait was over.
14
William rushed out to welcome his army as they arrived. Without meaning to, his gaze searched the sea of familiar faces for the vivid splash of red hair.
It was an easy find. His gaze fixed on Kinsey, and his heart stuttered in his chest.
She rode tall
