Seana suddenly lifted her hand to her forehead, as though she was distressed by Elizabet’s tale. Her expression when she looked up once more was a mixture of confusion and anger.
The anger Elizabet didn’t quite understand.
“Who told you Piers was gone?” she asked then, sounding suddenly vexed.
“Broc, of course. Meghan told him Piers had gone to Edinburgh but that he would return soon.”
Seana’s voice was toneless when she responded, “Did she?”
Elizabet’s brows knit with confusion. “Aye.”
Sweet Jesu, she hadn’t the first clue to what she had said to invoke the woman’s sudden ire. Seana’s tone had shifted from one of concern to petulance, and she decided the woman was moody.
Well, she could be petulant all she wished. All that mattered to Elizabet was that she keep her confidence. “You won’t tell anyone where we are, will you?”
Seana didn’t reply for a moment, and then she shook her head. “I won’t tell.”
Elizabet breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you!”
Seana’s brow remained furrowed. “Dinna mention it,” she said snappishly, and her tone of voice was disconcerting.
Was there more to their friendship than Broc had declared? She was obviously displeased with Elizabet, and Elizabet hadn’t a single notion what she had done.
She was on the verge of asking, but the door burst opened, and Broc entered. Elizabet was so glad to seehim that she leaped up from the table and ran to him, throwing her arms about his neck.
He hugged her, then pushed her gently away before turning his gaze toward Seana.
Elizabet felt her gut churn at the look they shared.
CHAPTER 23
The sand had run out of his glass.
Seana rose from the table, her chin lifting in challenge. She gave Broc a look unlike any she’d ever given him before—as though she suddenly thought him no better than a worm.
Broc said nothing in his defense.
What could he say?
“I would like to speak to you alone,” Seana requested, her tone filled with outrage.
Elizabet tilted him a look. He took a deep breath and begged her to excuse them and then motioned for Seana to join him outside the hovel. Elizabet released him, obviously confused by the request, stepping away. He turned to the door, opening it for Seana, and then cast a single backward glance at Elizabet before closing it behind him.
Her face was filled with turmoil.
“What are you doing?” Seana said, when they were alone and far enough away from the door that Elizabet could not hear them.
Broc frowned, his chest heavy with torment. “I take it you know everything.”
“Aye!” Seana shrieked. “She told me everything! And you lied to that poor lass!”
He nodded, without excuse.
“Why?” she demanded of him. “That is hardly the Broc I know and love! I have never known you to lie to anyone in all our acquaintance!”
Broc shrugged, peering down at the ground.
“Why did you lie to her?”
