CHAPTER1
Thormud Sinclair’s gaze constantly returned to the woman who sat across from him at the Keith laird’s family table. From the raised dais, he could see most of the clan from his seat, but his attention wouldn’t leave Greer Gunn. The words she spoke only a month ago rang in his ears. Haunted him day and night. They had a past no one knew. One he had no wish to discuss, especially since his mind had her words on loop. The few times their eyes locked, her expression softened for less than a heartbeat, then hardened to a glare that might just set him ablaze before it froze him.
He'd tried to convince himself it was purely duty and honor that had propelled him off the dais at his home and across the Great Hall to catch Greer before she collapsed. A Sinclair guard had dragged more than supported Greer when she arrived unannounced and badly beaten. He’d tried to convince himself that it was merely convenience that drove him to carry her to his chamber rather than wait for his mother to prepare a guest chamber the floor above his. And he tried to convince himself that it was common sense alone that prompted him to inform her whenever he thought she foolishly endangered her life. That last part was a constant source of contention between them.
Greer and his sister, Rose, had secretly been best friends for three-and-ten years. They’d met when the girls were only ten summers, and they’d formed a tight bond despite being from rival clans. It had shocked Thor to his core when he learned Greer was his twin’s close confidante, especially since no one knew his past with Greer. The woman kept far too many secrets, and that made Thor wary.
“If you keep glowering at her, people will treat her poorly. She’s done naught wrong. Be nice, Thor.” Rose leaned to her left to whisper in her brother’s ear.
“I’m not glowering.”
“Mayhap nae if we were still at Dunbeath, but the people here at Ackergill Tower arenae accustomed to brooding Sinclairs. Ye look like ye are staring down the devil himself. Plaster a smile on yer face.”
Thinking about smiling and Greer Gunn in the same sentence made him fear his face would crack. But he knew Rose was right. If he continued to express his suspicion, people would take cues from him. He didn’t want them to alienate Greer. He could admit that was the last thing the young woman needed. He needed to keep his opinion to himself. With a deep breath, he forced himself to relax. He eased the tension between his shoulders and realized they’d practically been up to his ears. Another deep inhale eased the tightness in his chest. As he tilted his head down to pay attention, he took another scoop of pottage, and concentrated on smoothing his expression.
When he looked up, he felt calmer. But the moment his gaze alighted on Greer, that serenity threatened to crumble. Still, he forced himself to maintain the façade. He figured if he pretended long enough, he might convince even himself. When their eyes met yet again, he attempted a smile. It clearly surprised her, but she soon narrowed her eyes. Her suspicion only heightened by his sudden change in demeanor. He sighed and realized he’d tried a little too much, and that was even worse. He appeared a fraud and insincere.
The meal ended with them ignoring each other, not unlike all their other meals. When the servants pushed aside the tables and benches, and the musicians began the first tune, Rose nudged Thor none too gently.
“Ye owe me a dance or three.”
“I owe ye? Nay, o’ sister mine. `Tis the other way around. I caught four hens for ye today.”
“And I insisted Cook save an entire one for ye.”
“I’m a growing lad. I have hollow legs. Mama says so.”
“Ye shall grow wide nae up. And Mama isnae here to protect ye.”
“Ye’ve always been so cruel.”
Thor tugged on the kertch Rose wore now that she was married. He could no longer reach the strawberry-blonde hair they shared in common. She pinched his ribs in return. They’d done the same thing to each other since they were children.
“Come, little brother.”
“Bossy since before our birth.”
Never mind Thor was nearly a foot taller than Rose. She was three minutes older than Thor, and he’d always said she shoved him out of the way to enter the world first. While they were both steadfastly close with their younger sister, Shona, the bond the twins shared was unparalleled. They’d always been conscious not to exclude Shona purposely or inadvertently, but their younger sister accepted that her relationship with them would always differ from the one the twins shared. It was the same mind in two bodies.
They moved onto the dance floor and joined hands as they took their place among the other clan members. They both enjoyed dancing and had learned together. It was a prime example of how synchronized they were in most things. But lately, one thing left them adrift, and it wasn’t Rose marrying.
“Are ye ever going to tell me what’s wrong? I’ve apologized for keeping ma friendship with Greer a secret for so long, and ye’ve said ye’ve forgiven me.”
“I have. I did within minutes. Despite what people say, we are our own person. Ye can have friends who arenae mine. And I can do the same.” Thor kept his tone soft despite his annoyance at discussing Greer yet again.
“But ye refuse to tell me what lies between ye and Greer. It’s something more than just disliking her clan.”
“Her clan is the entire reason.”
It was but wrapped up with so much more. It was as much for his sake as it was Greer’s that he said nothing. But he committed himself again to being better at hiding his emotions. Until they came to some type of resolution—if ever—then he would keep his reasons to himself. Rose was prepared to press the issue, but Thor’s closed-off expression told her she would get nowhere. They were equally stubborn, and she knew he would only become recalcitrant if she pushed more. She wanted to enjoy the time she still had with Thor before he returned to Castle Dunbeath and their family.
“When will ye leave? Ye havenae told me a date.”
“That hurried to be rid of me?”
“Nay, and ye ken it. I’m dreading it. Canna ye merely live here?”
“I’m far past the age of fostering. I’m our father’s heir. I canna live anywhere but Dunbeath.”
