She did, sitting and staring at the flames, anywhere other than Gwen. “It’s my fault. I got jealous seeing Ben with another woman.” She sighed, flopping back into her chair. “How ludicrous is that? Anyone would think I was a child the way I’m acting.”
“I know ye are not a child, lass.”
“I’m a woman who runs her own business,” she said. “This very house is rented out for weddings and events. And a bed and breakfast for those who wish to sleep within its walls. I allow people to come through here and see the wonderful history it holds. I’m about to expand my holdings and commence restoration of an estate south of here and do the same thing. I’m not a child, but the way I reacted in seeing Ben with that servant made me want to throw a tantrum like a spoiled little brat who didn’t get her own way.”
“Ben was doing what?” Gwen asked, her eyes wide with shock.
“They weren’t doing anything truly scandalous,” Kenzie said quickly, to dispel her ancestor’s horror, “but he did have a maid sitting on his lap and seemed to be enjoying being a typical male when a woman shows the slightest interest.”
Gwen’s eyes narrowed, but other than that, Kenzie found it hard to read the woman and what she thought of what the Laird of Ross was up to under her roof.
“I can see how the rascal can get under ye skin. He truly is a sweet man beneath all that armor he wears. And when you see the real Ben, there are few who wouldn’t be persuaded to fall for his spell.”
“You didn’t.” The words blurted from Kenzie, and in some small way, she supposed she wanted to know more about them, what had happened that stopped a marriage between the pair.
“I came to realize my feelings for Ben were only mediocre, at best. He was like a brother to me, a friend.” Gwen stared into the fire, lost in her own thoughts. “When I met Braxton, I knew my life would never be the same again. My heart stopped at the sight of him, and I realized it wouldn’t beat again until he was mine.”
Tears prickled Kenzie’s eyes at Gwen’s profession of love for husband. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything more beautiful in my life.”
“Well, I hope ye do, my dear, and from the man you choose to give your heart to.” Gwen leaned forward, suddenly serious. “Ye are to tell me if I need to prepare Braxton for an attachment between you and Ben.”
“Why would you need to prepare him? Does Braxton not like Ben?” Kenzie touched her temple, a little lightheaded at the thought that Ben was unwelcome here. Was there something Gwen wasn’t telling her? She’d thought they got along well. Was there some underlying jealousy on Braxton’s behalf in regard to Gwen?
“Och, he likes Ben well enough, but not enough for his descendant.” She smiled. “But if ye think a relationship with Ben would make ye happy, then we’ll support ye, for however long you’re here.”
“I only planned on staying a few months, and I’m not looking for a relationship with Ben. But there is something that I need to talk to you about, and I’m not sure how you’ll take it.” Most probably not well. With Ben being like a brother to Gwen, knowing what Kenzie was about to disclose would break her heart, if not send her into a panic. It wasn’t easy to say.
“You can tell me anything. I’ll never judge ye.”
“Even when what I’m about to tell you proves that I’ve been less than honest with you? And what I’m about to say will cause you worry, and that in itself is not something I ever want to do to you or Braxton.” And she didn’t. Even as short as her stay had been, she’d come to love her family as much as if she’d been born to them and known them her whole life.
“Now ye do have me worried. I suggest ye spit it out, lass.”
Kenzie searched for the right words to tell Gwen the truth. “There is another reason that I came back in time to see you. Of course, my main reason was to meet you and Braxton and, if you chose, to learn from you in regard to our mutual abilities.”
“And the second reason?”
“Well, that’s a little more complicated.” She took a deep breath and decided she would just say it and be