As Kirstin held onto Lachlan's hand, she observed how rough and calloused it was. Not only that, but his hand engulfed hers, as any man's should. As soon as the two of them approached another servant who was mopping the floors, Kirstin immediately let go of his hand, all too knowing that it was inappropriate for the two of them to be sharing such close contact. She could practically feel Lachlan's frown and hard gaze on her, as he scrutinized the mere rejection.
"Why donna I show ye the stables?" he offered, taking his mind off of the small rejection she had shown him. As soon as those words left his lips though, the other servant's head perked up and she gave Kirstin a questioning glance. It wasn't everyday that a man as great and wealthy as Lachlan would court a servant, nonetheless a new one.
Kirstin nodded but said nothing more, which made Lachlan frown again. He motioned for her to follow him anyway, and she did with her head down so that she would not have to meet the scornful look on the other servant's face. Lachlan caught the gesture and scowled at the servant, implying that she get back to work. She did without hesitance.
Kirstin held no doubt that she would be talked about, despite the fact that she was a newcomer; she now held the favors of the laird.
As soon as they were out of sight, Lachlan reached for Kirstin's hand once more. She didn't jerk away, or even shout out, but she did tense at the sudden contact that surely took her off guard.
His thumb rubbed the back of her hand, and in many ways it was comforting, but also frightening. Ever so frightening. It made Kirstin begin to question why exactly she was brought to Lachlan's home. Her room was much larger and grander than the other servants, no doubt, and now he was showing affection towards her? Surely there was another explanation for his motives.
Perhaps he pitied the girl for taking her so far away from her family? She much preferred to think this, even though her gut told her something else.
Before her thoughts could stray any further, Lachlan stopped walking, and tugged her hand back as they arrived at the stables. She could now clearly see the fields that lay beyond them, with grazing horses and a clear blue sky.
Lachlan let go of her hand and she both, gratefully and disappointedly, put it back to her side.
"Follow me, lass." He smirked, "And donna put yer hands too close to the bars of the last stall. My horse donna take a kind liking to strangers. The beast he is." Lachlan trailed off and luckily he didn't notice Kirstin gulp from the thought of her fingers being bitten off by the black beast she had once come in contact with before.
Kirstin followed silently behind Lachlan, her shoes becoming thick with mud and hay. She grimaced at her feet and hadn't realized she had stopped to do so until Lachlan turned to face her. His eyes roamed over her body, making a shiver erupt from her core, and then his gaze finally landed on her feet. He frowned.
"I will have Alana take ye out to town in the morrow, to get ye new shoes." He said lowly as if mentally making a note of it.
"Nay, that shouldna be necessary." Kirstin sputtered out.
He raised an eyebrow at her and grunted, "Why wouldn't it be?"
"Because," she paused, her cheeks becoming rosy with embarrassment, "I have no money."
Lachlan roared out laughing then, "Ye need no money, either, lass. For yer under my care and provision."
She gave him an expression of confusion, "I donna ken what yer saying."
"I will buy them for ye." He said simply.
Kirstin could feel her lips part, as she comprehended his words. Not once in her life had she ever been bought a new pair of shoes from a stranger, and rarely was she given anything new. Her parents could only afford to make clothes themselves or buy used product from the neighbors who had children who had once been her size. The only thing they ever put money towards was taxes and food. Nothing more.
Lachlan could see the shock on Kirstin's face, and he smiled in triumph. Little did he know the guilt that she felt.
"How should I repay ye?" she finally asked, breaking the silence.
He grunted once more, "There is no need to repay me. Just do yer work and all will be settled in time." He grinned, and Kirstin could sense a double meaning behind his words. Who knew what would happen in time?
The crunching of hay sounded and the two of them turned around to meet Roderick. He almost hesitated as if interrupting something between them, but Lachlan nodded for him to speak.
"My Laird," he said calmly but there was an unknown edge in his voice, "I have news of the Ruskin Clan."
"Aye?" Lachlan said, his attention now on the small brown haired fellow.
"Aye." Roderick confirmed, his green eyes holding Lachlan's dark ones.
Lachlan was quick to reply, "Very well then, meet me in my chambers and we will discuss these matters." Kirstin recognized the annoyance in his tone, but did not question it.
As Roderick bounded off towards the manor, Lachlan's focus was quickly diverted back to Kirstin. He did not smile, nor did he even smirk. For in that one moment that Roderick had mentioned the Ruskin Clan, Lachlan's demeanor seemed to change almost instantly. He did however, close the distance between them and take hold of her hand once more.
"I will walk ye back to the kitchen." He said, disappointed that he had not been able to give her much of a tour of his home. Something else was on his mind, too.
Kirstin bit her lip to keep herself from asking about the Ruskin Clan. She knew it was not her place and that the subject obviously bothered Lachlan. She did not want to bother him in fear that she would see the fierce and merciless side that she had heard about.
When they arrived to a side door of the kitchen, he once again let go of her hand. He gave her a long, hard stare with an expression that she did not recognize. Was it sympathy? Then Lachlan opened the door and the two of them were greeted with penetrating gazes from the cook and many servants from within the room.
Lachlan scoffed at all of them, "All of ye get back to work!" he said roughly, causing everyone to return to what they had previously been doing.
"Alana!" he barked, and only a second more went by before the elderly lady came to his side.
"My Laird?" she asked politely, doing a small curtsy to show her respect.
"Ye will take Kirstin out to town in the morrow and use the coins I give ye to purchase her a new pair of shoes. Understood?"
Alana's eyes briefly glanced down at Kirstin's shoes, and she looked puzzled at how muddy and ruined they had become in such a short matter of time.
"Understood, my Laird." She said in almost a whisper, but nodded her head to show that she had heard.
"Good." His dark eyes seemed to lighten a bit, if that were possible, and then he spared Kirstin one final look before walking away. There was no doubt in Kirstin's mind that he was going to his chambers to meet Roderick.
Kirstin did not miss Alana putting her hands on her wide hips and scolding her after Lachlan left, "What on earth happened to your shoes, my sweets?"
Kirstin grimaced at that, knowing that she would not be getting out of this predicament anytime soon.
v
A fist collided with the hard wood of a desk, and Lachlan didn't seem phased by it at all as his hand almost splintered the wood.
"What do ye mean they've man slaughtered one of my watchmen? Threats are one thing, but murder is another."
Roderick frowned, "Craig saw them do it. Donna ye believe it is about time we strike back? The Ruskin Clan has been committing crimes of larceny and now they've struck harder than a horse's foot."
His calloused hand rubbed the lightest of stubble on his chin, as Lachlan thought about the situation, and then finally he sighed, "Nay, I will send them a message of warning first. If they donna cooperate, only then will I send my men to attack."
"Very well, then. I will send for one of the lesser boys to do it."
"Aye," agreed Lachlan, "No point in risking one of strength that could come handy in the near future."
A moment more went by before Lachlan ordered, "Send him before sundown." Roderick nodded in apprehension. As the brown haired boy began to walk away, Lachlan queried once more, "And Roderick?"
"Aye?" he asked, turning around to meet the laird's hard gaze.
"Keep a wary eye out for the other lads. I donna want them bothering Kirstin, ye ken?"
Roderick smiled all too knowingly, "I ken."
He left Lachlan to himself, his smile not faltering. Only him and the laird knew the sole purpose of Kirstin's presence amongst his manor, and surely the servants and other lads would catch on sooner than later. For now, though, their secret would remain a secret.