imagine you’ve kissed many women.” History certainly stated Black Ben had a woman in every port and inland town, prior to his marriage, at least. Kenzie hated reading about such things, knowing so many women had enjoyed the man before her, but maybe with any luck it was all false. It was something certainly to hope for.
“I have, but no one that mattered since Aline passed away.”
“Gwen said she found you the night before you arrived at her home in a tavern, and your business there was obvious, if you know what I mean.”
“Nay, what do ye mean, lass,” he asked, meekly.
Kenzie almost scoffed. There wasn’t a meek bone in his body. “The rumors that followed you to Gwen and Braxton’s home suggested you’d been whoring your way around Scotland since Aline’s death.”
“Aye, I may have been, but ye cannot believe everything ye hear. And I’m here now, with you.”
“Hmm,” Kenzie said, sitting herself down on a chair close to the fire. “I have some of Braxton’s men outside the walls. Will you let them in? I’m sure they’re hungry and in need of a good night’s sleep.”
“When the guards came and told me of your arrival, I sent them word to allow the men to enter. Cook will have some fare taken out to them since we’ve already eaten this evening.”
Her stomach chose that exact time to rumble. “Would it be any trouble if I could also have something to eat? I’ve not eaten since lunch.”
Ben yelled out to a man who stood silently at the end of the room. “Have some of tonight’s dinner brought up for our guest, and have a room prepared. She’ll be staying for a time.”
She met his gaze and her toes curled and her body thrummed from the look. They were alone here now. Gwen and Braxton were miles away and not around to interrupt…
“You have a beautiful castle. I’ve visited it, you know, in my time.”
“Ye have?” Ben’s seemed genuinely delighted by the notion. “And ’tis it as grand as it is right now? Are my descendants still ruling the area?”
Thankfully, the food arrived for it allowed Kenzie to prepare her answer. She placed an apple and a pear on her plate along with some flat bread and pheasant. What could she say to Ben that wouldn’t give away what was to happen to him in a few months? Had she been in his position, she would want to know the truth, no matter how painful. “Castle Ross, unfortunately, is not as grand, and your family is no longer in charge of it. But it has a new owner now, who is determined to make it as magnificent as it once was. I have no doubt she will succeed.”
He sat forward, the line between his brow as deep as a ravine. “My family no longer have Castle Ross?” He gestured with his hands. “How can that be? Why?”
“A lot of castles and great estates were lost to the great families who owned them after the first World War that took place in 1918 to 1922. They placed taxes on estates that were never there before, and after such a bloody war, where a lot of families lost their heirs and the workers who helped keep the estates running were killed in action, a lot of the homes were sold or demolished.” It wasn’t what had happened to Ben’s family or Castle Ross, but it was the truth for so many others, and Kenzie wasn’t ready to tell Ben that he lost his home in his own time due to an unknown entity that she had yet to figure out. This way was better and hopefully, would ease the hurt he no doubt was feeling about the revelation. “I’m sorry, Ben. I know it’s not what anyone would wish to hear.”
“What is this World War you talk of?”
How could she explain this to him and make sense? “It’s a large-scale war involving many powerful countries around the world. This war spanned multiple locations with wide-spread battles.” He looked bewildered.
He slumped on to a nearby chair, running his hand across his stubbled jaw. “This is upsetting.”
“History is cruel, and this is not something that you were ever to know. Had I not arrived and told you, it would not be a concern of yours.”
“Aye,” he said throwing her that devilishly gorgeous lazy smile that made her ache. “I see yer point.”
Kenzie ate some pheasant, using her fingers to pick up the bird since she