Cien ground his teeth in frustration. Laird Jeremy Fitzhugh's son, Colin, did not seem to learn. At all. He was at his wits end after trying to teach the boy for the entire afternoon how to use a sword. Cien wasn't stupid. He knew he couldn't teach the lad everything there was to know about sword play all in one day, but he also knew the boy must be slow for he hadn't learned a thing.
Swinging high with his sword, Cien brought it down on the boy's open spot above his shoulder. A killing move. Throwing the sword to the ground, he grabbed the boy by the neck and held him up close to his face.
"I swear, Colin Fitzhugh, if you don't begin to pay attention and learn something I will send you back to your father and declare war," he grated out at the boy. The boy began to shake and nodded weakly. Unable to take anymore from the boy, he tossed him to the ground none to gently, and picked up his sword.
"You've got to be harder on him, Cien." Alex said as Cien passed. Stopping he turned to his cousin.
"Cousin, I have had an idea. You," he said brightly. " You will teach Colin over there how to protect his clan." Cien smiled at his cousin's obvious dismay. "Aye, you'll teach him and I won't have to." Grinning like a loon, Cien strode off, content for the first time that day.
And with that thought, he thought of Rose again. He wanted to slap his forehead and pull his hair out like the mad man he must have been. No other reason would there be to think of the Lady Rose the way he was. Utter foolishness, he told himself. Why would he want to get involved with a woman like her? He tended to like his women experienced, not fresh from the school room as she obviously was. He liked women who well, weren't virgins. Virgins meant commitment, and this woman had commitment written all over her.
Even while scolding himself for his thoughts of her, he couldn't make himself stop from looking up at her window. She was there, brushing her hair and staring into the distance, as if day dreaming. He didn't know how long he stood there staring up at the window, watching her brush her hair, when she looked down at him.
She seemed happy to see him, her face blushing with innocent pleasure. He grinned back at her and lifted a hand to wave when she suddenly went pale and fled from the window. Curious as to what startled her, he turned and looked behind him. Alex stood there, a fierce look upon his face.
"Is there something you need, cousin?" Cien asked, bringing Alex's attention to him.
"Nay, Cien. Nothing."
"Is there a reason as to why you wish to scare the Lady Rose?"
Alex shifted on his feet. "Well..."
Cien sighed. "Out with it. I have no time for this." Cien braced his legs apart and crossed his arms as he looked at his cousin with impatience. Alex looked at his cousin and forced it out.
"I think her a witch." Cien stiffened at the comment but didn't move. He watched Alex closely looking at his reactions.
"A witch." Cien said slowly. "Here, on Fraser land."
Alex nodded quickly. "Aye Cien. I think the Lady Rose is a witch." Cien shook his head slowly.
"Cousin, I think you need to rest. The Lady Rose is not a witch." Cien turned away from his cousin, dismissing the subject all together.
Alex bolted in front of Cien, stopping him. "Cien, don't be so hasty. Look at her. Has she not the look of a witch?" Cien sighed and shook his head sadly.
"She does not."
"Cien open your eyes, the lady has the dark gift!" Alex fair yelled at his cousin.
Cien took a deadly step forward and lowered his voice to a whisper. "Nay, the lady is not a witch, cousin. And take that to heart that I still call you cousin. If I ever hear you say such slander against the Lady Rose again, I shall be obliged to take action. Is that quite clear, COUSIN?" His voice deadly soft and his face inches from his own, Alex swallowed quickly and nodded, dropping his eyes from Cien's.
"Aye cousin. I shall ne'er say a word again."
