Page 19 of Enchanted

Chapter Eight

As they hurried towards the great hall, Keiran cursed himself for a fool. He should have told Rosalyn about Lieutenant James Long’s plans to end her life rather than to marry her. But Keiran had not wanted to ruin that shared moment of joy between himself and Rosalyn. He clenched his jaw and increased his speed, forcing Rosalyn to keep up. Now two men were after her, no doubt wanting to finish what they had started. She had to know the truth, and he should be the one to tell her.

Keiran stopped abruptly, causing Rosalyn to crash into him. He gripped her arms to keep her from falling, and for a heartbeat allowed himself to enjoy the softness of the feminine body pressed so intimately against his own. A hint of lemon and rosemary filled his senses. Instead of releasing her, Keiran held her close, drawing in her scent. He was used to fairies smelling like flowers, not this sweet yet earthy combination.

“What is it?” Rosalyn asked, her eyes wide.

His mother had stopped as well, hovering behind Rosalyn. Setting her away from him, Keiran released Rosalyn’s arms. “I should have told you this earlier, but I simply must tell you now, before we meet with the others.”

“You need not hide things from me.” She steeled herself. “I have suffered enough hurt and rejection at my brother’s hand. I’ve learned to be strong as a result.”

He did not doubt that. It was better he simply stated the fact than try to soften the blow. “The soldier we captured revealed that your betrothed was behind the attack on your life. He meant to kill you, not marry you. He may try to continue what he started by sending the two men foretold by my mother.” His gaze probed Rosalyn’s.

She looked away, but not before he saw her features tighten with pain. “It matters not. With your help I escaped that fate. As far as I am concerned, I died yesterday, and was born anew, therefore releasing Lieutenant James Long from any obligation.”

“Will he see things the same way?” Keiran asked.

She glanced back at him. “He will once I write and inform him thusly.”

“And your brother?”

“He wanted only to be rid of me. I don’t think he cared how he accomplished that goal.” She stiffened and turned away, as though afraid to look at him.

Keiran studied her downcast face. She was hanging on to her self-control by a thread, trying so hard to be invincible. But he could see past her façade. The scared, lonely woman standing before him tore at his heart. He recalled his own loneliness in Fairyland when he’d been aged enough to register such an emotion. He remembered those first lonely nights, staring into the darkness, wondering what was to become of him. Aye, he understood her fear, but he also applauded her bravery. It took great courage to remain in the house of her enemy and act as though nothing he said could break her.

An almost aching tenderness unfolded within him. He wanted to reach out to her, to reassure her with a gentle touch that she was not as alone as she imagined. “Rosalyn?” Her name, spoken so gently, hung between them. Slowly, she lifted her gaze to his. In her eyes, he saw a faint, hesitant stirring of hope. “Those men will never get close to you. I will make certain of that.”

“Why would you protect me when my own people will not?” The morning light illuminated her pale skin, accentuating her freckles and the lines of worry bracketing her mouth.

Her question caught him off guard. He had learned in Fairyland that even taken away from his clan, the essence of who he was had remained. He was a protector of all living things, even this female—even his enemy. “I need you to remain here, and alive, if you are to be my tutor.”

“Of course. Good tutors are difficult to come by, even in England. I can understand going out of your way to keep me safe. It would be such a nuisance to have to replace me.”

The sting of sarcasm was not lost on him. His lips quirked, as did her own briefly before slowly fading until pain once again darkened her hazel eyes. She stood so close to him, and yet she remained somehow separate. Alone and untouchable. Yet in the moment, he finally understood. She was used to the world attacking her, catching her unprepared, betraying her at every turn. She expected him to betray her as well. After all, in her mind, he was her enemy.

Keiran stepped forward, and reached for her hand, wrapping her cold fingers with his own warmer ones. “I do appreciate that you have agreed to tutor me, but your presence here at Dunvegan is not just one of convenience. I want you here. I like having you here because . . . I do not have many friends in this world, and I would like it very much if you would be that for me. A friend.”

Her eyes widened. “You want to be friends? With me, an Englishwoman?”

“Since your mother was also of Scottish blood, then that makes you not fully English. And since I was born a Scot but raised elsewhere, that makes me not fully Scottish.” He shrugged. “I suspect we have as good a chance as any at friendship.”

Her brows came together but a lightness entered her eyes. “If we are to be friends, then you must be honest with me in all things.”

He nodded. “I will hold nothing back no matter how desperate the situation.”

She paused, thinking, then nodded. “What do I have to lose? My only family has washed his hands of me. My once betrothed tried to kill me. I have no future unless I can find employment as a tutor. I suppose being friends with you cannot make things any worse, now, could it?”

“I do not suppose it could.” He gave her hand a light squeeze, then released her fingers, and instead offered her his arm. “Shall we go tell my brother what Mother has sensed?”

At the reminder that Lady Janet was behind them, they both turned towards the spirit. Instead of the distress that had darkened her features, a smile lit her face. I am glad you two found common ground. A bond forged when enemies become friends is stronger than any other.

They were never truly enemies, were they? Keiran pondered as he led Rosalyn and his mother inside the castle, and up the stairs. Both male and female voices came to them as they moved down the hallway and entered the great hall. The entire family was gathered as they had just finished breaking their morning fast.

At the sight of all the MacLeods, Rosalyn pulled away from Keiran and clutched her hands before her. He understood. She was ready to think of him differently, but the rest of his clan still had to prove themselves.

“Come, join us,” Gwendolyn said, motioning them towards the table where she and Alastair sat with Tormod, Orrick, Graeme, Fiona, Isolde, and Aria.

Keiran waited until Rosalyn was seated next to Isolde before he took a seat next to Orrick. Lady Janet followed more slowly as she took a moment to hug each of her children, as that ability had been restored to her thanks to Aria’s residual magic.