Suddenly, Connor burst through the door. "Laird MacNab is here and following Kenna across the courtyard. She is bringing him inside.
*
The color started to drain out of Kevin's face. Now what should he do? Kenna liked this man and Ferguson was not going to understand. He couldn't ask him to leave, not at this tender time of their new friendship, but if he stayed and watched Kenna's ability to lie so easily, Ferguson might never speak to her again. More importantly, could Kenna pull it off with Ferguson there?
"Ferguson, do not believe what you are about to see. I will explain it later." Kevin didn't even have time to wait for his nod. Instead, he quickly stood up. Connor moved to his right and to his surprise, Ferguson took a position to his left.
Kenna walked in, spotted Ferguson and froze. But when Kevin slightly nodded, she took a deep breath and walked forward. She curtseyed to Kevin and then turned to curtsey to Laird MacNab.
"I will have Charlet," MacNab announced.
Kenna put her hands behind her back and walked all the way around MacNab. "You are not the first and you will not be the last. Why should I choose you?"
Ferguson's mind was churning but his expression remained nondescript. Who was Charlet, he wondered.
Laird MacNab smiled when Kenna came around to face him, exposing two missing front teeth. "I offer all I have."
"Why? Do you want me for my beauty, for my young age, or to keep me from marrying an Englishman?"
Just like all the other lairds, he was taken aback by her questioning. "You are ill-mannered."
Her ire was rising and she wasn't acting. "I am not ill-mannered, I am exhausted. Everyone wants to marry me and none care what I want. I am not a cow you can give away, barter, or kill when you tire of me. I am a woman and I demand to be treated well."
Laird MacNab blinked twice and looked at Kevin. "This is Charlet, is it not?"
"Aye," Kevin answered.
"She is not worth a war, is she? She is not even as bonnie as I have heard. I deny her!" He stormed out the door and slammed it behind him.
Kenna was ready to collapse. "He is wrong; I am daft or soon will be. Kevin, I do not think I can do this much longer."
Kevin took her hand and urged her to sit down. "Kenna, Charlet has been shot. Three Englishman found her hiding place."
Tears instantly welled up in Kenna's eyes. "Is she dead?" She didn't notice when Ferguson sat down beside her.