**Warning - You will despise Kennedy even more soon lol**

The rains finally stopped after three straight days flooding areas of the village and causing weak parts of the wall to collapse. During that time, the keep seemed to never rest. Erin stepped in where she was needed, helping Colleen oversee the women gathering, drying and sorting food to be stored. It was exhausting work, but Erin learned many new skills and was more than glad to help.

Connor oversaw the looking after of the young children with his special helper, Ashlynn. Sometimes Erin joined Connor, teaching games like tag or hide and seek to the children. It was a busy three days showing no signs of slowing down yet.

As promised, once the rain stopped, Liam sent Aedan and every able bodied man out to begin repairs and fortifications of the village in preparation for winter. Dutifully, Kennedy led a group out several times a day to do a perimeter check. The intense rains had caused a nearby river to overflow, damaging the wall around the village. This of course, left them vulnerable not only to enemies but mainly wild animals who would prey on the flocks and crops.

It was nice, though, that especially Kennedy found chances and excuses to dote on Erin. It was unexpected but welcomed. She didn't have much time to talk to him, but she noticed the way Kennedy would watch her when he was in the keep. Dark chocolate brown eyes boring into her with searing heat. It made Erin blush every time.

"Water?" She asked, offering a cup to the next hard working man repairing the wall. A gentle breeze blew with a growing chill. Still, these men glistened with sweat from working so hard. Each would murmur a thanks and drink deeply. Once he finished, Erin moved on to the next. "Water?"

"I'll have one," A gruff voice answered from behind as Erin worked at the pump to refill her jug.

Spinning around she was met with Kennedy's heated gaze raking over her form. Though covered in a white tunic, dark skirt to her ankles and an over dress as an apron, the way Kennedy stared at her made Erin feel utterly naked. It was very uncomfortable.

Still, Erin gave a weak smile, scooped the cup in the jug then offered it to Kennedy. Sweat beaded on his brow and neck, evidence all the men shared that despite the cooling temperature, they were all working tirelessly to finish the repairs.

"Thank you, lass," He whispered huskily, returning the cup to Erin's shaking hand.

"You're welcome," She smiled faintly, stepping around to return to her task but Kennedy's arm snaked around her waist. Flicking her gaze toward him, her eyes narrowed.

"So polite," He growled. "Are you this polite in privacy, Erin?"

Aghast at his implication, Erin scowled and slapped his hand away. "Do not make the mistake of assuming I am a wench like the other women you have tumbled with Kennedy," She scolded. "I hear what the women whisper about you. I'm not interested."

Brushing her way passed him, Erin felt her lungs inflate with air now that she was out of his atmosphere. It was suffocating being around him like being overwhelmed with deja vu that carried fear. Kennedy reminded Erin of someone intentionally cut off from her life.

Liam also spoke with Erin whenever he found an excuse to check in on how the food preparations were coming. In contrast to the air around Kennedy, Liam was refreshing to be around. Guarded, nervous like a teenager but gentle yet commanding of respect. Erin understood he had to oversee everything and had a lot going on. What little time she did have with him, she very much enjoyed. She caught Liam watching her too but his looks were more out of curiosity. Much more mild and less hungry than Kennedy's.

"How's the harvest coming?" The strong baritone inquired, his form casting a shadow over Erin as she knelt in the dirt of the garden.

Pivoting as she sat up on her knees, Erin shielded her eyes from the sun with a hand, smirking up at the man. She glanced at the overflowing basket of potatoes before answering.

"It is going very well," Erin answered, shakily rising to her knees but Liam's strong hands steadied her. "This basket is full."

A shy hand rose, curling into a fist as Liam exhaled through his nose then uncurled, timidly cupping Erin's cheek to swipe at a dirt smudge on the rosy flesh of her cheek. After a few swipes, Liam retracted his hand, tongue jetting out to slowly lick the pad of his thumb before it returned to her cheek bone.

"I...admire you...thank you," Liam quickly corrected, his tone soft yet raspy. "For aiding in these preparations though you are not from here."

Cheeks heating, Erin shyly met his jade orbs with her hazel ones. "You have welcomed Ashlynn and I into your village, your home without question despite our strange story and have not once called me crazy. The least I can do to repay you is pitch in."

Liam's hand lingered on her cheek long after the dirt smudge was gone. He exhaled a heavy breath through his nose then mumbled, "You are welcome to...stay here for...as long as you wan-...need."

Before Erin could reply, Liam pulled his hand away, spun on his heel and stomped away. Her lips tilted into a smirk, sure she had seen his cheeks beginning to turn several shades of red.

****

The three weeks following the rainstorm and its aftermath passed quickly despite being full of things to do, busy with tasks and not having much time to rest. One home at a time, the repairs were attentively finished. Each day a few more families were able to return home. By the time all the homes were all repaired, the wall was concluded. Soon the keep and village once again were secure and it seemed like Liam and his men breathed easier again.

Bridget had been a very attentive maid and very helpful for Erin. She had helped explain how some of these dresses were worn, how they should be tied and even fixed her hair in different intricate braids each morning. The most interesting thing was how Bridget seemed to be playing "matchmaker" with Erin and Kennedy. Erin wasn't fond of Kennedy. Her heart had been feeling pulled toward Liam from the beginning yet Erin pushed it aside because someday soon, she and Ashlynn would return home. How, she wasn't sure. She had no clue as to how Liam's heart could ever be pulled toward her as well, slowly melting to accept someone from a different time.

This morning's conversation was a great example.

"I see the way Kennedy looks at you," Bridget stated, making Erin blush.

"I've seen a few looks but he doesn't make me feel comfortable or give any hint of his sincere, respectful interest. I realize it's only been a little over a month, I don't know him well but-..."

"He is worth the risk," Bridget interrupted, winking at Erin. "He is good to his women."

Erin was done with the conversation at this point. The way Kennedy gazed at her made her feel uncomfortable. She gave a small, forced smile as Bridget finished tying the front of Erin's dress. The off the shoulder blouse was expertly wrapped in a leather bodice and full skirt of dark, midnight blue.

The bodice looked and felt to Erin like a corset but was worn on the outside and not as restrictive. Similarly to the belt with another dress, it gave her bust a nice lift and support. Erin had decided to try the traditional "undergarments" and not wear her bra, at Bridgets suggestion.

Once finished, Erin thanked Bridget and they both left the room. Erin headed toward the gardens and Bridget went off to find Kennedy to tell him Erin was ready.

Bridget found Kennedy in his room and boldly opened the door, softly closing then locking it behind her.

"I have done all I can, love," she whispered seductively, fully expecting her "payment" for helping. Kennedy spun around, grinning devilishly at Bridget as he stalked toward her. She leaned against the wall, lifting her arms above her head, knowing exactly what was coming. Kennedy pinned her against the wall, shoved her skirt up then lifted one of her legs to wrap around his hip and began lazily grinding against her core.

"You are sure today is the day?" he purred into her ear softly.

Bridget rolled her eyes closed, moaning lowly, "Y-yes...I have done exactly as you told me..."

His hand slid from her outer thigh to up between her legs and plunged his fingers in, knowing full well she was ready. He pumped his fingers and hungrily assaulted her neck, wanting to bring her to a quick finish so he could execute the next phase of his plan with Erin.

Kennedy's pants were tight from Bridget's moans but he wouldn't penetrate her this time. No, he would save it for Erin. Bridget came apart quickly but pulled at the top of his pants. He clicked his tongue, shaking his head slowly at her, pulling her hand away.

"No, no, no, that's not for you this time," He tsked. "When the task I have planned is finished successfully, you will get your full reward."

He let Bridget go abruptly and she slumped off the wall, panting and pouting as she unlocked the door and left.

Kennedy still had to wait until after lunch when Erin took a break from the garden work and went to read in her room. Sometimes she rested which would be his ideal opportunity.

****

All morning, Erin had weeded, pruned, and gathered whatever crops still needed to be harvested. By mid morning, she was helping Katherine prepare lunch. She hadn't seen Liam or Kennedy all morning. Her mind had been set on earning her keep here, helping in any way she could.

The last few weeks had been so busy, everyone simply grabbed what food they could and an open seat, took it and ate quickly. Things had settled down enough that meals had become more organized and normal for the rest of the household. Ashlynn had her special spot at the family table next to Connor who doted on her like a loving big brother. They had been practically inseparable.

This particular lunch, Liam sought Erin out in the kitchen. "Will you not be sitting for the noon meal today, Erin?" He asked her with a slight frown.

"Are you scolding me?" She smirked, rolling the dough she had on the table. "Master Liam, Lord of the Keep."

"No, lass," He answered, a faint pink coloring his cheeks as the words tumbled out of his usually eloquent and confident mouth. "I came to... request you sit beside me if...you don't have...another invitation because if you do then, well I uhm..."

"Liam," Erin chuckled, pausing her kneading to place a hand on his forearm to stop his blabbering. Jade green met hazel. "I don't have any other invitations. I would be honored to join you."

Katherine, who had inconspicuously been listening to the conversation, grinned at Erin and winked. Erin smiled, her already rosy cheeks blushing slightly at the attention, even more so at Katherine's gesture.

This request spoke volumes to the household and anyone who saw. Warm smiles of happiness mixed with hushed chatter filled the room. Except Erin was ignorant and unaware that the spot beside to Liam was reserved for the Lady of the house.

No woman had been seated there since Kyla.

While some members of the household may be thrilled by this gesture of allowing Erin to sit in a seat of honor that publicly yet subtly made Liam's intentions known, when Kennedy got to the table and saw this he was livid. Not only was it an open way of laying a claim or sincere interest in pursuing Erin, Liam was publically replacing Kennedy's sister by placing Erin in Kyla's seat. Kennedy had counted on Liam still mourning his dead wife so Kennedy could claim Erin for himself. This was an unexpected development. Kennedy had to make a move and do it fast. Seething, shooting an angry glare at Liam, Kennedy grumpily took his own seat at the high table.

Once everyone was in their place, Liam stood before his chair. After he sat, everyone else took their seats and began eating. Erin followed their example. The spread of brown bread, meats, cheeses and fruit was an appetizing one. Liam plated Erin's food before his own while leaning in and whispering something that had Erin laughing lightly. This sight made Kennedy fume even more.

As Kennedy was finishing his meal, he noticed Erin was nearly finished too. Keen ears listened carefully to the end of their conversation.

"Did you enjoy the meal?" Liam asked leaning in to inquire over the excited din of the others in the hall eating.

"Very much," Erin shly answered, glancing away for a moment before meeting his jade orbs.

Liam reached out and teasingly tugged at a rogue strand of hair that had fallen out of Erin's braid. "Do you...have any plans for the rest of this evening?"

Heat steadily crawled up Erin's cheeks along with the corners of her lips. "Well, I found your library a few weeks ago so...I've been borrowing books and reading in the evening."

"Do let me know if you would like any company," Liam offered, taking Erin's hand in his, thumb rubbing circles on the back of her hand.

Raising it slowly to his lips, Liam met Erin's eyes and gently pressed his soft lips to the top. Erin blushed profusely, a deep inhale hitching. She smiled brightly at him before rising and leaving to go to her room.

Kennedy angrily drained his cup of ale and sighed crossly. Liam was dreamily watching Erin leave the room like a lovesick child.

"Do you care for her, Liam?" Kennedy inquired bitterly, knowing full well he did.

Liam nodded slowly. "I do...or at least...I am beginning too. It started with a need to protect her but as I've gotten to know her, it... has steadily grown to something more."

"What about Kyla?" Kennedy knew the question would sting.

Liam sighed heavily before answering. "I miss her everyday, Ken. That will probably never change. I see her in Connor and sometimes I cannot breathe. But...it's been ten years. I truly think she would want me to be happy."

Kennedy nodded scowling deeply but not saying anything. He got his confirmation. His claiming Erin would shatter Liam, just as he aimed. Measuredly Kennedy stood and made his way out of the great hall, heading straight for Erin's room.

****

Well, there you go!  Let us combine our efforts to bring Kennedy down!  Although, I have a feeling it will happen very soon! ;)

Enjoy, vote and comment!

<3