Highlander's Seduction (The Matheson Brothers Book 3) by Joanne Wadsworth

judgment.
    Below in the yard, Kirk advanced on Iain, his weapon held high. The two swung and their blades clashed, steel ringing loud against steel. Finlay jumped into the fight and the three battled, each landing one hard blow after another. They trained swiftly and without hesitation, so in tune with each other’s strikes that they moved gracefully yet powerfully as one.
    “My lady?” A knock sounded. “It’s Effie. Are you in?”
    “I’m coming.” She opened the door and uncloaked her form. Only two maids ever served her when she stayed here, Effie or Maggie. Both lasses held a touch of fae blood and were loyal kin. They certainly tended to her needs and did all she asked of them. “How did you know I’d be here this morn?”
    “Nessa said you arrived last eve at the village and to bring you a tray and a bath.” Effie carried a tray holding a steaming bowl of oats and a trencher of sliced meats inside and set it on the side table. “She’ll be up shortly.”
    “Wonderful. I need to speak to Nessa.”
    A shuffle sounded in the passageway and she cloaked herself as two lads, not of fae blood, heaved a tub between them. Barefoot and with sooty marks on the knees of their loose-legged brown breeches, they set the tub before the fireplace. Another maid entered, set a drying cloth and bar of soap next to the tub then left with the lads.
    Effie knelt at the hearth, tore strips of bark from a log and brought a flame to life striking flint with a dagger. She added a log or two and the fire soon roared and spread its heavenly heat throughout the room. The maid rose and dusted her hands against her aproned sides as she crossed to the golden curtained ambry. “What do you wish to wear this day, my lady?”
    “The pale blue gown, please. Leave it on the bed if you could.”
    The maid removed a gown of silk, one of her favorites that matched the color of her blue eyes to perfection. Effie draped it over the black fur cover at the end of her bed then set the matching pair of slippers beside it.
    The lads soon returned with pails of steaming water and Effie directed them then added vanilla scented oil and a sprinkle of dried rose petals. Done, she walked to the door and dipped her head to Nessa as she arrived.
    “Thank you, Effie.” Nessa closed the door behind the servants after they filed out then leaned against the door in her bronze skirts, her red locks wisped with gray coiled high upon her head. “And how is my favorite time-walker this day?”
    “As well as can be considering I spent the night with Kirk.” She uncloaked and hugged her friend. “What of you, Nessa? How do you fare?”
    “I’m completely intrigued and dying to know all that occurred last eve. Come and eat while we talk.” Nessa grasped her hand, walked to the side table, pulled out a chair for her and perched in the one opposite her as she sat. When she stayed here at the castle, they always broke their fast together, just the two of them. ’Twas a special time, one of the rare moments when she wasn’t alone as her duty so often demanded.
    “Well, Kirk’s shifter senses led him directly to me, although I’m no’ surprised.” She lifted the small bowl of honey and swirled it over top of hers and Nessa’s hot oats then slid a spoonful into her mouth. Delicious, and just what he needed to warm and fill her belly. “I’m sorry I first asked you to do the impossible last eve and keep him from leaving the keep.”
    “There wasnae a chance I could halt him. He whipped right by me, so eager to begin the chase. He’s been looking for you for such a long time.” Nessa patted her hand. “You must understand. The ‘power of three’ willnae be at their strongest until each have joined with their chosen ones, which means you must consider allowing the bond to take.”
    “I have to admit I now feel so torn.” She bunched her hands in her lap, twisted her fingers in her skirts. “I spent the entire night in his company, even took him into