The Highlander's Touch

THT | 3

*unedited and written on iPad*

"You arrived much quicker than I expected!" King James said, coming forward to embrace Kane. He reluctantly returned it. Kane had never been one for affection, no matter how brotherly it was. A hug could turn into a knife to the back.

Luckily, this was the king. His liege and friend.

"Yer missive said to ride with haste, so I have."

"As reliable as ever," the king commented. "How have the MacLeods been? I haven't heard them complain about you in a while."

Kane grunted. "Donna care to answer that."

The MacLeods were always searching for compensation for something. A missing cattle, a runaway maid, stolen sheep. It was always the same thing with them, and it was always Kane having the blame foisted on him.

"I'm guessing that means I'll be hearing from them soon, then," the king sighed, though there was a hint of humor to it. "That is fine with me. I always take joy out of watching Connor walk in here with the arrogance of a peacock, only to leave with lost hopes. How you haven't gone to war with them amazes me."

"I have too much on my hands to deal with those bastards."

"That is true." The king gave him an odd look, one that instantly set Kane on guard. "Whiskey? Bread and cheese? Grapes?"

"Nay." Kane leaned his forearms on the back of the chair facing the king. "What is it you called me here for? I rode for a fortnight to make it in time."

"Yes. Well." The king sat in his great purple chair and looked at Kane, consideration lighting his eyes. "I do not feel the need to justify my decisions, as I am your king. However, I will tell you because of your years of loyalty and our friendship."

A bad feeling went through Kane. The king never tried to spring stuff on him—in fact, the only time the king called him aside to speak to him personally for matters of business was...never. If something needed to be done, a missive was sent and the matter was taken care of.

Now, as Kane stood before King James, he wished he hadn't come with such haste. He wished he hadn't come at all, actually.

"What is it?"

"I have sent you two women. They should have arrived by now."

"Aye?" He knew very well that they had arrived. He'd told his men to escort them as soon as they were a night away from his estate. He hadn't thought anything of it when the king had sent a missive over it. Many a traveller stayed on Shaw territory. He was a known friend of the king and trusted beyond any laird in the highlanders. He might have an unsavory battle reputation, but that only added to his credibility with like-minded men. Not that Kane cared. As long as the visitors left him alone and didn't bother his people, he couldn't care less.

"They are very dear to me. Their parents passed some time ago; my aunt and uncle-in-law. Very kind, sweet, gentle-hearted people. I've sent their daughters to stay with you."

"Aye?"

The king sighed. "I am relying on your judgement to make the right decision in this." In what? "My cousins are very kind-hearted women. They are not ones for games. Although one does caters to her sister's every need. I feel that she needs...a reprieve from her sister."

"Aye?" The more King James talked, the more Kane felt like a lead weight was pressing on his shoulders.

"It is time you marry."

The lead weight couldn't have gotten heavier.

"Your Majesty—"

"I will take no ifs, ands, or buts on this matter. You will, of course, have time to become acquainted with both of my cousin's, though I hope you make the right decision."