“But you didn’t see her expression,” Caitlin said, remembering the avid look in Lorna’s eyes. “And you didn’t hear the way she spoke about her father. It was...not nice. Then, as I was about to leave, I...I...think she threatened me.” Caitlin rubbed her wrist as she remembered Lorna’s grip on her arm. “I don’t think she wanted me talking to her dad.”
“Ye’ve seen Lord Alasdair?” Kai asked.
Caitlin nodded. “Briefly. On one of the balconies.”
“Ye should go speak to him, Kai,” rumbled Magnus. “He would be pleased to see ye.”
Kai shifted uncomfortably. “Lorna says he’s too ill to receive visitors.”
“No, he’s not!” Caitlin retorted. “He seemed fine to me. Don’t you think it’s a little strange that Lorna is lying about that? And did you miss the bit where I told you she threatened me?”
Kai crossed his arms over his broad chest and glared at Caitlin. “Lorna isnae passing secrets to the enemy. Ye must have misunderstood what she said to ye. She’s been naught but kind, and ye repay that kindness by insulting her?”
That stung.
Stubbornly, Caitlin shook her head. “I’m not trying to insult anyone. I’m just telling you what I saw. Maybe we should—”
“Enough! Ye will leave Lady Lorna out of this.”
Caitlin blinked, taken aback by the ferocity of his words. She had never seen him so defensive. But perhaps he was right. Perhaps shewasreading way too much into Lorna’s strange behavior and the way she’d spoken so harshly about her father.
And yet... something nagged at her. There had been no sign of Leif Snarlsson and his fleet. If Dun Cator really was the next target, then surely, they would be some sign of them by now?
Unless they weren’t coming after all. Unless they’d been warned.
An uncomfortable silence had fallen.
“Er...I’d better take the horse for some exercise,” Magnus muttered.
“Aye, and I’ll help,” said Conall.
Looking eager to escape, the two men hurried away. Kai watched them go with a tense expression on his face.
“Kai?” Caitlin said, her voice soft and uncertain. “Perhaps if we just ask Lorna—”
“Did ye not hear me the first time?” Kai snapped, turning to her. “Lorna isnae the mole.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“I just can, all right!”
“Why are you so defensive about her?”
“And why are ye so jealous that ye would try to malign a woman who has been naught but kind to ye?”
The words hit Caitlin like a slap. Jealous? Is that what he thought? How the hell dare he? Cold fury boiled in her stomach.
“I apologize,” she hissed through clenched teeth. “I didn’t mean to offend your delicate sensibilities.”
Without another word, she spun on her heel and stalked away.
“Caitlin, wait!” Kai called after her. “I didnae mean—”
But she kept walking and did not look back.
***
KAI WATCHED CAITLINwalk away, feeling like he had a lead ball sitting in his stomach.
