Chapter 7
Things moved quickly.
Here it was, two days after they’d found the body in the secret passages—or rather, it had found them—and Leanna and Kenneth were standing side-by-side in the chapel listening to Father John drone on about eternal salvation or whatnot.
It was easier, at times, to stare up at the naughty gargoyle, than look at the body laid out on the slab. But Leanna’s eyes kept being drawn back to that pitiful collection of bones and rags, now wrapped in clean linen.
Kenneth had definitely moved quickly.
After that remarkable—amazing! Wondrous! Life-changing!—interlude in her chamber, when he’d brought her pleasure with his mouth, he’d stood up, smiled charmingly, and told her he had to get to work. Or mayhap he’d said something else; she hadn’t really been able to hear him at the time. Or if she had heard him, she definitely hadn’t comprehended his words.
All she knew was that he’d bent down to place a quick kiss on her lips—if she’d known he was leaving, she would’ve grabbed him and made him linger—straightened his kilt, then stomped out the door. The real door, not the one to the secret passage.
By the time Leanna had been able to collect herself and rise, he was long gone. It was difficult, dressing herself in such a daze, while her core continued to send out the strangest little pulses, as if to remind her what had happened. But, despite her unsteady legs, she’d made it to the great hall where Kenneth was already organizing a party to return with him to the secret passage.
Briefly, Leanna had considered accompanying them. After all, she knew the passages better than anyone, didn’t she?
But then Kenneth glanced at her and sent her the merest wink—just a quick flash, something between only the two of them—and her knees had gone weak again.
Likely ‘twas best for her to just stay there in the hall, sitting down. Not doing much of anything. Staring at the tapestries, mayhap, with a silly grin on her face.
At least, that’s what she spent the next hour doing.
Kenneth and his search party were successful, having carried plenty of light, and they brought back this poor soul who was now laid out in the chapel, being prayed over.
Of course, no matter who he was in life, he likely didn’t deserve this type of torture. Lucky for him he’s dead, and we’re the ones forced to listen to Father John’s droning.
Her whole family was there, and more than a few of the castle servants and clanspeople. That was surprising, considering they had no idea who this person had been in life, but Leanna supposed it was because of the drum.
Aye, along with the skeleton, long trapped in the hidden corridor, Kenneth and his men had found a drum. Very old, the kind held in one hand, but a drum nevertheless.
‘Twas obvious to even the most logical and cynical among them—Cough-cough-Coira-cough—that whoever this had been in life, this person had become the Ghostly Drummer of Oliphant Castle in death.
And perhaps now, with all these ghastly prayers and incense and holy water, the ghost—and the legend—would be laid to rest.
It was all quite sad actually, and as soon as Leanna determined exactly what that gargoyle was up to, she might even manage a convincing tear or two.
“Should ye no’ be paying attention?”
The murmur came from beside her, where Kenneth stood tall and strong. She glanced up at him and realized he’d asked the question from the corner of his mouth, without even glancing at her.
Until that moment, she hadn’t realized how proud she was to be standing beside him in her family’s chapel. Although her sisters all stood together with their parents, Leanna and Kenneth had entered together and had found their own space.
Together.
Where everyone could see them and know they were together.
And after what he’d done with his mouth, Leanna definitely wanted them to be together.
But when I suggested we marry, he’d laughed.
Aye, but then he’d kissed her.
But he hadn’t brought up marriage again.
Aye, but he’d kissed her. And then he’d kissed her again…in other places.
A man doesnae need to marry in order to kiss a woman.