about. “This is nice,” she said, taking some bread from the basket and placing a little ham into it. “I wanted to ask at breakfast, but with the Grants nearby I didn’t, but why didn’t you come to my room last night? I have something I want to talk to you about.”
“Aye, I know, lass, and I apologize. The fight between Bruce and Evan Grant took longer than I thought it would to settle, and by the time I’d washed, it was late. I dinna wish to wake ye.”
Kenzie wiggled over to sit next to him, the scent of flowers wafting from her hair, even after all the hard work she’d done. Was she always this perfect? Ben believed she might be.
“No matter what time it is, I’d welcome you.”
Without thought Ben leaned forward and kissed her. She didn’t hesitate, but leaned into his embrace, one hand wrapping about the nape of his neck and kissing him deeper. “Don’t ever think that way again. My bed is cold when my Highlander isn’t beside me.”
“Your Highlander?” Her words brought him up with a mix of concern and delight. Yes, he was her Highlander, and she was his lass, but the time they had together would not be forever. Kenzie was returning to her century, and he was certainly not looking to marry again. The image of Kenzie dying after giving birth to their child haunted his mind and he frowned. He’d lost Aline, put her into an early grave all because he’d wished for an heir. He would not risk Kenzie to simply gain a spare.
Ben sat back and looked out over the field, watching as the tenant farmers sat and ate their lunch a little way away. “What was it that ye wished to talk to me about, lass? Is it something ye can say here?”
If Kenzie noted his change of conversation or that he’d pulled back a little she didn’t mention it, simply swallowed her bread and ham, meeting his gaze. “If I tell you what I know, you must promise me not to do anything, or react in any way that will cause alarm for your people.”
A cold knot formed in his gut at her words. “What is it that ye know?”
“My trip back to this time wasn’t solely to visit my ancestors, but also to learn a little more about you. I’ve been fascinated with the stories of Black Ben, the best longbow shot in Scotland. The tales written about you in my family’s journal are almost famous.”
Ben didn’t think his life was worth such a tribute, but curious, he said, “Go on. What else, lass?”
Kenzie checked their surroundings and, satisfied no one was about, continued. “As you know, in my time, Clan Ross is no longer around. Of course, I’m sure there are Ross’s about, but none here at your castle.”
He frowned. “Aye, I remember ye sayin’”
“What I wasn’t fully truthful about was when your line dies out, because it’s with you, in your time, that the clan ends. You are known as one of Scotland’s unsolved mysteries.”
Shock ricocheted through him, and he stood, unsure what to do with such information. An unsolved mystery. What the hell did that even mean? What happened to Alasdair? His son was only a baby. Surely, he’d not allowed anyone to harm the lad.
“Ye need to tell me all that ye know, and now.” He ran a hand through his hair, anger thrumming through him. How long had Kenzie known? Well, he understood how long, since the day she arrived, and the fact she’d not told him of his future left a cold knot of anger in the pit of his stomach.
She should have told him.
“There isn’t much to know. You’re presumed killed, although there was never any confirmation of that, nor is your son seen again. When we were ambushed at Gwen’s home I thought that the men behind your demise would show themselves again, but they haven’t. There’s been no threat at all, so something could have changed, but I don’t want you to be hurt or Alasdair caught off guard. I’m telling you now in order for you to put in place some security measures to help stop whatever fate has in store for you.”
“Ye cannot rewrite history, Kenzie. It is what it is.” It could not be done, no matter how much he may wish to.
“When?” he asked, ignoring the flinch from Kenzie at his deadly tone. What did the lass expect? For him to be