Sacrificing his Highland Heart by Kenna Kendrick

Chapter Twenty-Eight

“Ithink I might rather enjoy this dinner after all,” Henry said with a sneer, and Rose scowled at him, but again, he didn’t really react. Euan kept looking at Siobhan and Walter, and it was true, Rose enjoyed the distraction, but she feared for her friend. Siobhan looked embarrassed, strong, hardened Siobhan, who wasn’t afraid of anything.

Walter began, “I donnae think that we should have tae say anything at dinner, nae less. Nae when we have just finished a battle. Surely we want tae think of happy things!” Walter gave a tremulous smile, and Siobhan snuffed.

“Nae, why do we nae say how Walter Prestone thinks he has the sun shining out of his bum? After one evening of peace between us at the festival, he rushed down tae find me the next day and expected us tae…tae…lay taegether!” She sputtered and threw her hands in the air.

Walter winced. “It was nae so terrible as that, lass. I wanted tae see ye. That is all. I wanted tae talk tae ye, tae see how things stood between us.”

“But ye came in the late afternoon, nearly evening. I am a single woman in the village, trying tae fight against the struggles of being a woman who doesnae need a man tae live her daily life. Many are against me, and yet ye come striding in, completely observed by all in the village, and ye enter my home!” Siobhan’s cheeks were red by then, and it seemed like she and Walter didn’t realize that anyone else was around anymore.

Rose’s mouth dropped open in surprise, and she looked to Euan. For a second, they smiled at each other, but then he turned away.

“Aye, lass,” Walter replied, nodding. “Ye are right. That was foolish on my part.”

“So now everyone in the village thinks even worse than me.”

“How could they? Ye are so talented and strong and perfect,” Walter said helplessly.

“Donnae say such things!” Siobhan said, pointing at him. “Ye will try tae use yer charm tae get out of the consequences for what ye did.” Her chest was heaving, and her eyes were bright with fury.

Walter’s shoulders sank so low that Rose wondered if he would fall to the floor. He reached out and put his hand over Siobhan’s. She didn’t move her hand, but she merely looked at it as if she was confused why it was there.

“I ken this is nae the time nor the place, lass, but they will ask us anyway,” Walter nodded his head towards Euan and Rose. “I came tae tell ye that night that I am so in love with ye, and I wanted tae see how ye felt about me.” He rubbed his neck awkwardly, and Rose almost cried at the innocent blush in his cheeks. Everyone was silent except Walter as he made his confession. “I may nae get a chance again since ye will surely hurry away tomorrow, tonight if ye could. I have been in love with ye for some time, nearly since we were children, and I just never could find the right words tae say. After the festival it gave me hope. I didnae come tae lay with ye, nae that I would be opposed,” he added, grinning stupidly. “But I just came tae speak with ye. I was overexcited, and I am sorry about that. Ye will have tae forgive me.”

There was a long pause, and Siobhan calmed. Her eyes were still wide, but they were no longer a pair of flames, ready to consume anyone in her path. She breathed in and then out, slowly. Rose wondered what she would say.

“Ye love me?” she asked.

Walter nodded. “Aye, and if ye accepted it, I would have ye come and be Lady Prestone, and ye could practice yer healing as much as ye like. Nae one would dare tae fight ye or defy ye. Ye could be just who ye would want tae be.”

Rose felt the first tears prick her eyes. She couldn’t look at Euan, or else she would burst into tears. This love, this beautiful love where one could share life and embark upon an adventure together, was what she wanted. She saw the affection in Walter’s eyes, had done ever since he’d come to stay with them. She knew that he was in earnest, and the fact that he wanted to give Siobhan freedom and independence spoke volumes.

Siobhan looked utterly calm. For a few seconds, the corners of her mouth turned up and then went down again. Then they returned. “I suppose that I will have tae think about that.”

“Ye will?” Walter asked, breathless, and he gripped her hand and brought it to his lips. “That will make me very happy, lass. If ye even just think about it.”

Siobhan blushed, and then the two of them remembered that they had an audience. She pulled her hand out of Walter’s and then stood up. “Well, I think that is enough for the evening. I will go and tend tae the injured men. Excuse me.” She barely spared a glance for any of the others before she hurried away. Not surprisingly, Walter stood soon after. “Aye, I think we have had quite enough for the day. Time for us tae rest and come back fresh tomorrow.”

He bowed his head and left the room, leaving Henry, Rose, and Euan in sullen silence. Euan poured himself another cup of wine and leaned back in his chair, sipping it slowly. Rose turned to her brother, who looked greatly fatigued despite his earlier outrage and angry words. “Henry,” Rose said softly, unable to muster the energy to yell at her brother any longer. “We shall speak tomorrow. I would like to show you some of the grounds, if I may.”

He nodded with a sigh. She was glad he was also too exhausted to continue fighting with her. “Fine then. A good night to you.” He looked at Rose briefly before standing up and leaving the room as well. She knew his ire and stubbornness would return in full form after he got a night of rest. Rose breathed out. The tension was so high in the room now that she and Euan were alone. She could almost grasp it and roll it around in her hands. Without looking at Euan, she pulled herself up from the bench.

“Good night to you, Euan. I shall take my leave.”

“Aye,” he said.

He didn’t move to join her, and Rose, trying to keep the hurt away as best she could, left the hall. Once she was by the base of the stairs, she could feel the first tear beginning to fall. She brushed it away and continued up the stairs slowly but surely. After a few seconds, she gasped when she felt a hand grasp her arm.

* * *

Euan watched everyone leave with grim satisfaction. He wanted to be alone. Everyone’s departure lifted his spirits except Rose’s. He didn’t like looking at her stiff back as she walked away from him up to her own room to sleep alone in her own bed. His mood worsened at that thought. He gulped down the rest of his wine and stood. There would be no sense in remaining below when he needed to sleep, and any minute, someone could return to plague him with some matter.

He closed his eyes as he lifted one foot after the other up the steps, and it seemed to take an age before he reached his door. He heard a scuffle inside, and frowning, he opened the door, worried that there were some of Henry’s men remaining, hoping to finish him off against their lord’s orders.

Instead, he found Walter, Siobhan, and Rose. “What in the bloody Hell?” he asked, shutting the door and crossing his arms. Rose looked wide-eyed and fearful, while Siobhan and Walter looked smug.

“Ye were planning tae come tae bed without getting someone tae massage those muscles of yers, were ye nae?” Siobhan asked.

Euan shrugged, and then he winced at the sharp pang of pain. Blast it all. Honestly, he had entirely forgotten. “Aye, and what of it? I am too tired tae consider it.”

“It needs tae be done!” Siobhan said, “and I have the perfect person.” She pulled Rose to her feet.

“Siobhan, really,” Rose said, blushing.

Siobhan looked at Walter, and he said, “This is yer punishment, Euan. If ye are tae embarrass us at dinner, then we are happy tae return the favor.” He grinned. “Besides, who wouldnae want help of this nature from their own wife? I suppose ye wouldnae wish one of the men tae come and attend tae ye.”

Walter snickered, and Euan grumbled, “I could manage it well enough on my own.”

Siobhan laughed. “It is in a spot that ye cannae reach. Donnae be a stubborn fool, Euan! I ken ye. We both do, and we ken that ye will let things pass ye by if ye cannae control them in more ways than one. Ye will ruin yer chances of happiness!” She moved to the door, and Rose remained. Walter followed Siobhan.

Euan said teasingly, “So now ye two have completely sorted all yer problems? Nae more fighting against one another?”

“Nae more,” Siobhan said. “But donnae concern yerself with us. Ye have the salve with ye. Use it. Or ye will regret it. Even if this has naething tae do with Rose, ye need tae rest and tae heal.”

Siobhan and Walter shut the door, and he could hear the key turning in the lock.

“Och!” he cried out and rushed to the door. “What in God’s name could ye be thinking? What if another attack occurs, and I am locked in here!”

“It willnae!” Siobhan called. “Go and figure things out.”

Euan groaned and turned around, leaning against the door. He would have to punish them. If any of his men found out that their laird had been locked away, then he would lose all credibility. But a new wave of fatigue came over him, and he realized he didn’t want to think of it then. His eyes moved over the room, taking in the comfortable bed, calling his name, and then landing on Rose. He straightened up and cleared his throat.

“Was this yer idea, lass?” he asked, his voice sounding a lot gruffer than he intended. He thanked God in Heaven that the wine carafe on the mantle was still full, and he walked over to pour himself a cup. He poured two and handed one to Rose.

“No, I swear to you. I had nothing to do with this. On my way back from dinner, they pulled me into your chamber and told me the plan. They would not let me go.”

Euan nodded. He took a sip and leaned his back against the mantle of his hearth. “Aye, but ye are quite skilled at getting yerself out of rooms, so I saw today.” He lifted a brow, and Rose blushed and looked down at her hands.

“Yes, well, I do not think it will work in this instance.”

“Nae? And why nae?” Euan pushed off from the wall and leaned over Rose, his hands on either side of her chair. “What did ye do this last time tae convince my best friend tae let ye out during a bloody battle!”

Euan’s voice rose, and Rose, with an angry look, slipped out from under his arms and moved to the mantle. Her arms were crossed. “It was for the best. Even now, ye could be dead, lying in a pool of your own blood in your own castle. Where would you be then?” She said haughtily.

Euan sat down in the chair that she had been sitting in. “Dead, I suppose. But donnae make me laugh, lass. Yer brother and his group of young boys would never have killed me. Even a dozen of them.”

Rose narrowed her eyes. She looked even prettier now during her rage. He preferred her this way, powerful and strong. It made sense because it matched who she truly was.

“Cocky and prideful to the end, I see,” she said in that same haughty tone.

Euan held his hands out to the side as if presenting himself. “How can I nae be? A laird has tae be so in order tae protect his reputation and his people.”

Rose huffed, and Euan grinned. He was getting the upper hand, gaining energy by the second despite his lack of sleep.

“So? Any advice on how we can get ourselves out of this mess?” he asked. “If ye are as clever as ye say.”

“We will just have to do as they say. The massage and everything. Or else they will never let us out. You know that, and I know it. Siobhan was absolutely determined. You did not have to embarrass them at the feast. It is all your fault.” She stomped her foot.

Euan shook his head, not wanting to take the blame for anything. “Well, it had at least got them tae finally confess what was so obvious tae everyone else. I was getting tired of Walter’s lovelorn looks.” Euan took another sip.

“Well? Let us begin.” Rose said a little more calmly this time. Her expression smoothed.

“Begin what?” Euan asked, and he stood when he saw her coming towards him. No longer did he have the power or the upper hand. It was fading fast.

Rose lifted a brow. “Where is the salve? Let us just get this over with, and then in the morning, they will let us out.”

“The morning?” Euan said with disbelief.

She looked around the room and spotted it on the table beside the bed. “There it is.”

“Donnae touch it,” Euan shouted, but he could feel that his words had no effect on her. She picked up the jar.

“Remove your shirt, Euan,” she said with a slight smile on her face.

Euan swallowed. He knew that if she was going to touch him, he would be lost to her, and then he couldn’t hold his position anymore. He was afraid of being hurt and humiliated again. How could he trust her words now after everything that had happened?

“Well?” she said, her smooth, sultry voice caressing him like fingers. He closed his eyes. He had had too much wine and ale that evening. And he was too tired to resist it. He held tight, however.

“Well, what?” he said, his voice thick.

“Are you going to take off your shirt, or shall I help you?” she asked before he could feel her hands on him pulling off his linen shirt smoothly. He didn’t stop her. She laid her hand on his chest, and he could smell the peppermint salve from the jar that she held in her other hand. He opened his eyes and looked down into her green ones.

He remembered the first time he looked upon her. He might have been lost to her even then. Little did he realize what kind of fierce love she could instill in him with each day in her presence. Rose was everything he could have ever dreamed of, and he was going to let her go back to England.

He kept his hands firmly at his sides, even though his body screamed for him to hold her and bring her close. She was watching him closely, and she slid her hand up his chest and behind his neck. “Kiss me,” she said, so softly he wasn’t even sure if she had said it. Euan could feel his heart pick up the pace. He wanted to; he really did, but there was still something that held him back.

“I cannae,” he said finally and pulled out of her warm grasp.